We use cookies

Please note that on our website we use cookies to enhance your experience, and for analytics purposes. To learn more about our cookies, please read our Privacy policy. By clicking “Accept Cookies” or by continuing to use our website you agree to our use of cookies.

About Us

We are the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries. We are impact driven and have a mission to build a creative economy which reflects the society it serves. We’re driven by our pillars ACCESS + THRIVE = IMPACT.

Photo of the Creative Access team

Who we are

Founded in 2012, we create practical DE&I programmes that open up career access, help people from historically under-represented groups thrive and create real impact.

 

We work with hundreds of partners across film, TV, the arts, theatre, museums, advertising, publishing and beyond and support thousands of individuals each year, from groups historically under-represented in the sector in terms of ethnicity, disability and lower socio-economic status, to access new careers and thrive in their existing ones.

  • For individuals

     

    Kickstart your career with paid internships and jobs and support your progress through career development and mentoring programmes.

  • For employer partners

     

    Build an inclusive culture and help diverse talent thrive through progressive recruitment, mentoring and training.

What we believe in

Our mission

 

We aim to see a day when the UK’s creative economy will truly reflect and represent our society.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access careers and thrive in the creative industries, regardless of their race, background or beliefs.

 

Only then will the creative economy truly reflect and engage broader society. We support individuals from groups that are historically under-represented in the creative industries in terms of ethnicity, lower socio-economic status or disability, with access to roles, career support, mentoring and training.

 

We are largely funded by our employer partners from across the creative economy, who are committed to improving diversity and inclusion within their organisations. Any profits go back into training and supporting our community.

Values

We ask our employer partners to commit to bringing in and uplifting talent from communities under-represented in the sector by:

  • Access

    Widening the talent pool to include individuals from all backgrounds

  • Thrive

    Investing in staff from historically under-represented groups to enable them to thrive

  • Impact

    Creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and a sense of belonging

Our impact

We are committed to ensuring the work we do has a tangible and positive impact on our mission and for the partner organisations and individuals we work with. Our impact is tracked against key metrics in our impact framework using online surveys sent to participants before and 6 months after each activity to track distance travelled.

  • 0

    of our employer partners attribute partnering with Creative Access in the last year as having a positive impact on their progress in DE&I

  • 0

    of our alumni ranked one area of support received from Creative Access as either ‘significant’ or ‘very significant’ to their career progression

Our history

Co-founded in 2012 by our Executive Chair, Josie Dobrin, OBE, Creative Access emerged from frustration over creative industry under-representation. Our journey began by rallying leading employers to partner with us. Since placing our inaugural trainee on the set of “Kick-Ass 2”, we’ve since empowered thousands from historically marginalised groups to excel across various sectors: publishing, film, TV, journalism, theatre, advertising, museums, galleries, and beyond.

 

Our scope evolved beyond paid internships to encompass inclusive recruitment, fostering cultures through training & consultancy, and pioneering career development and mentoring programs.

 

As a Community Interest Company (CIC), all profits fuel our mission, aligning decisions with the interests of individuals and employers. Since inception, alongside partners, we’ve significantly enhanced career access, fostering a more diverse, inclusive industry.

 

However, there is still so much work to be done.

Photo of Creative Access founder, Josie Dobrin, a white woman with mid-lenght short blonde hair, smiling and reading a speech at Creative Access' 10 Year Anniversary at White Cube Mason’s Yard. Behind her, is an artwork by © David Altmejd of a green metal sculpture of a hare's head.