Directors forced to close popular arts group

A LONG-standing arts group in Birmingham has closed because it is no longer sustainable, according to the brothers who have run it.

The Aston Performing Arts Academy (APAA) which was primarily run by brothers Tru and Pel Powell, shut after holding its final session on Monday.

Tru, along with his twin brother, have been directors of APAA since 2008 and were first involved with the project in 2003 when it opened as the then Aston Youth Orchestra. But now the duo have agreed to shut the academy down ‘for a minimum of six months’, after saying its current operating model cannot be continued.

They put in 15 hours each of their own time each week to run the organisation, and have done so for almost 20 years.

But they both have busy jobs, Tru a branding coach and entrepreneur and Pel a deputy head.

They also both have young families, Tru with four children and Pel with three and it appears something had to give in their lives and that was their performing arts group.

In an emotional post on social media Tru, who lives in Streetly, said the decision to close the academy was a ‘painful and emotional one’. It catered for 100 children on average each week at two weekly sessions.

The centre allowed youngsters aged six to 30 to explore the performing arts with tuition in ‘music, vocals and performance’ and mentorship. It has also provided pastoral care and has been a family away from people’s own families and an ‘escape from the outside world’.

Tru said: “We’ve built something really special Birmingham should be proud of. It’s because of the aforementioned that has made our decision to close our doors a painful and emotional one. Due to a variety of reasons a difficult decision has been made to close APAA, primarily for six months, then we will review.

“To be really transparent, both Pel and I and the wider team has volunteered our time and expertise for over two decades developing young people in the arts but unfortunately APAA can’t continue on this model. Although we do a lot of paid performances which we are grateful for, this is still not a model that works.”

The APAA has operated with support from New Testament Church of God in Ladywood - known as The Rock, which provides the meeting space. Youngsters paid a nominal £3 a week.