D&I consultancy Creative Access launch training programme for under-represented freelance talent supported by law firm Lee & Thompson
Data from leading D&I consultancy Creative Access highlights that freelancers want training and reasonable adjustments to thrive in their careers. 78% of freelancers surveyed said professional training was one of the most important areas employers & industry bodies can support them.
- 1 in 5 (22%) became a freelancer due to negative experiences in a perm role
- Disabled individuals 30% more likely freelancing after negative perm role experience
- 54% say they’re offered a day rate or salary below their level
What is the Thrive Support Programme?
Lee & Thompson, the UK’s leading law firm for the creative industries has partnered with Creative Access to fund 10 places per year over a 3 year period, on a training programme specifically focused on addressing the barriers to progression often faced by mid to senior-level individuals working in the creative industries from under-represented groups. In this first year, the programme will be specifically focused on freelancers, due to the current climate and the particular issues facing this group.
Successful participants will gain access to a mentor, as well as networking opportunities and training including topics such as:
- Developing leadership skills
- The power of self-belief
- Managing yourself and others
- How to build a successful & long-lasting freelance career
- Financial literacy
This year’s scheme is aimed at those who are at mid to senior career level from under-represented groups who are currently freelancing, who are keen grow their network and skillset. Future funding in to 2024 will go towards the development of a career development programme for senior professionals working in the creative industries from historically under-represented backgrounds.
Notes to editors:
- Deadline to enter: October 30th, 2023
- Freelance research
- Freelance support programme application form
Patrick Jowett of Arts Professional has highlighted recent research from Creative Access which found the number of people from backgrounds underrepresented in the creative industries that don’t apply for jobs because of financial constraints is increasing.
The article also focused on Creative Access’ response to the findings in its relaunch of its third Career Development Bursary, supported by McLaren Racing.
Read in full here.
After a summer hiatus, the Creative Access masterclass series came back with a bang this week. We saw new and old members of our community flood to South Kensington’s V&A museum for a night of networking and a private viewing of the V&A’s latest exhibition, Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto, which explores the woman behind the brand and how her radical designs shaped the modern woman’s style. A special highlight included the wonderful introduction we were given by co-curator Connie Karol Burks, who shared what a day in the life of a curator looks like and a behind the scenes look at the journey to launching the exhibition.
V&A’s Connie Karol Burks on becoming a curator
Burks’ avenue into museums started with dropping out of her first course at university. Her ‘squiggly career’ demonstrates fierce passion and dedication, a familiar feeling to our room of both aspiring and seasoned pros from the creative industries. Burks realised that she wanted to attend art college, and after a string of internships at small galleries and years in retail, she co-founded a weaving company. With an interest in the history of fabric, she underwent an MA and volunteered at the V&A often. After lots of unsuccessful applications, she said: “They finally took a chance on me with a 6-week placement, and I’ve been here for 7 years.”
Burks emphasised that her experience in retail and in small galleries helped prepare her for what is such a varied role with lots of different responsibilities. She spends much of her time on objects in the permanent collection in the museum – researching and cataloguing them – as well as administration, “quite a lot of bureaucracy”, and checking for clothing bugs. She added: “I can tell my carpet beetle from my clothes moth”. There’s also a “horrifying amount of excel spreadsheets” and lots of writing text – both for objects and publications.
Introducing the exhibition
If you have tickets, enjoy this preface. If you haven’t, we’re sharing our takeaways (and sign up to hear about the next masterclass so you never miss out!). The immersive exhibition is across ten spaces that follow a loose chronology, mapping out the unique elements of Chanel’s vision that still influences how we dress today. We learn so much about the designer who introduced a chic, stripped-back silhouette approach to women’s wear, the V&A team made a conscious decision to catalogue her biography alongside her work – from fashion to beauty.
Burks told us that her team started with looking at the objects and conducted research trips to Gabrielle’s apartment to get to know the woman behind the designs. Eventually, Burks had immersed herself in Chanel’s world, and the exhibition took around two years’ worth of work ahead of the launch. They have, in part, contextualised Chanel’s work with her upbringing and life experiences, as her work took her from poverty to the life of the elite with aristocratic company. Born in 1883 to an impoverished family, she spent a lot of her childhood in an orphanage after the death of her mother. Her entry into fashion wasn’t until 1909 when she opened her salon in Paris as a hatmaker.
The emergence of style – Chanel’s template for fashion
Burks discussed that Chanel’s influences likely stretch as far as fishermen in Dover, when she established a boutique there in 1912. One blouse dates back to 1916 and replicates the style of a fisherman’s pullover, and it’s men’s tailoring that inspires a sequin suit of silk taffeta – unusual for women’s couture at the time. This is the first garment you see in the exhibition, and in everything that follows you see small remnants of two major influences – the time she spent in Britain, and her adaptations of designs traditionally made for men that allow a comfortable life.
“[Chanel’s] focus on comfort was quite radical for her time” Burks said, and her lifelong ethos was to make clothes for herself, first and foremost. She worked with the best textiles, and her choice of fabrics were so important, only enriched by her connections to British and French manufacturers. Burks delved deeper into Chanel’s achievements, which include the popularisation of the little black dress, the No.5 perfume, and the innovative design of the dress that could be appropriate for all day.
What story does the exhibition tell?
“With this show, it was a treat to focus on Gabrielle Chanel, to unpick the myths and the broader explanation of what she was doing. To undo the caricature and fill in the gaps.” Burks said.
We learnt that Gabrielle Chanel was in some ways, remarkably modern and ahead of her time. She designed open back asymmetric dresses, women’s suits that rejected the padding of traditional tailoring, and her perfume’s minimalist packaging and simple typography still stands today. Chanel’s eveningwear produced in the second half of her career when she was well into her seventies, was still attuned to the fashion world’s barometer whilst staying true to her fashion manifesto. However, she also had an “interesting” life as Burks describes it, which refers to her dark past of antisemitism and ties to a German general during the war. We were told the insertion of the timeline of her life seeks to face this head on, with an acknowledgement of the artist behind the art. Burks emphasised that museums are exactly the right place to have this topical discussion.
The exhibition certainly gives you a taste of her eccentric character, told creatively through dimensions such as the evening gowns positioned along a mirrored staircase. It’s the staircase that emulates that of her original salon in Paris, that she would sit at the top of to hide and watch the reaction of her guests as they entered (see top image). It was a brilliant opportunity to see the show, which is sold out until May 2024. After networking took place and the crisps had been eaten, the event finished. We eagerly await the next.
A big special thank you to the V&A, Connie Karol Burks and the Creative Access community. Don’t miss out on the next Creative Access masterclass. Sign up now.
Heloise Wood for The Bookseller has reported that the Creative Access Career Development Bursary, in partnership with McLaren Racing, is now open as research indicates how financial barriers are affecting those trying to work in publishing. Wood writes:
“Around 85% of publishing respondents said financial barriers have prevented them from applying to a job while 59% in publishing believe financial barriers greatly impact their career progression.”
Read in full here.
Book Brunch has reported on Creative Access’ recent research highlighting the impact of the cost of living crisis on people from under-represented backgrounds progressing in the creative industries, specifically the publishing industry. The findings coincide with Creative Access’ relaunch of its Career Development Bursary in partnership with McLaren Racing.
Creative Access x McLaren Racing Career Development Bursary launches for a third year
The UK’s economic crisis is reaching a breaking point for those from under-represented backgrounds looking to access or progress in the creative economy. As creative job cuts increase, 82% of those working and aspiring to work in the creative industries name the cost of living crisis as a significant barrier to accessing roles, according to new research from Creative Access, the leading social enterprise in progressive career development & support, who is today launching its third Career Development Bursary, supported by long-standing partner McLaren Racing.
The Bursary is a fund aimed at supporting talent from communities under-represented in the creative industries in terms of ethnicity, disability and lower socio-economic status, who aspire to work, or progress their career, in the creative industries, but who are currently held back from doing so because of financial barriers. Applications are now open for eligible individuals here.
Financial barriers to creative careers
Creative Access surveyed individuals in its community working in or looking to pursue a career in the creative industries to examine how financial barriers impact career progression. The results demonstrate how crucial the Bursary will be to enabling people from under-represented groups to access and progress in the sector. Key findings show:
- The majority of respondents (82%) have not applied for jobs because of financial barriers, an increase of 5% since 2021
- 57% say financial barriers are a significant threat to their creative career progression
- The top three financial barriers when applying for jobs are: commuting costs (24%) unaffordable living costs (24%) and being without funds to re-locate (15%)
Bursary impact
Over 80% of participants of last year’s Creative Access x McLaren Racing Bursary agreed that the fund had helped them to access new opportunities. And the fund was able to enhance the creative careers of individuals who used the support for numerous essential career-boosting causes, such as:
- Tech/equipment (47%)
- Training (22%)
- Driving lessons (13%)
- Living/studio/relocation costs (10%)
- Creative project funding/award submissions (8%)
Participants from 2022’s fund explained how the support had altered their career trajectory in the creative industries:
- “This bursary is potentially life changing for me. It has allowed me to rent my first studio where I will create and expand the work I make as an artist”. Terna, 2022 bursary recipient
- ”It has given me the tools, affirmation and confidence to jump into being a freelancer. It feels as though I’ve been given a serious chance at a leap forward.” Freelance design professional
- ”As a disabled person the bursary was super helpful in terms of confidence and creating ways to make my business more accessible.” Freelance website design professional
- “I went from being stagnant with my creativity to flourishing.” Visual artist
Kate O’Hara-Hatchley, Head of Diversity, Early Careers and Development, McLaren Racing – to be updated for 2023
“Here at McLaren Racing, we have a strong belief that everyone should have access to the same resources and opportunities within our industry, regardless of financial status or background.
“We’re proud to partner with Creative Access on this bursary as part of McLaren Racing Engage, our flagship DE&I programme, which aims to tackle the STEM skills shortage, address systemic inequalities and find new ways to open pathways into motorsport careers. We have set ourselves the ambition of becoming one of the most inclusive teams in sport. Driving an inclusive and diverse team is an ongoing process, but something we are committed to for the long-term along with partners like Creative Access. Together, we hope to inspire and encourage the next generation of creative talent within our sport and remove the barriers.”
Bibi Hilton, CEO, Creative Access
“We’re disappointed – but sadly unsurprised – to see the confirmation of what we see and hear all too often from our community: that financial barriers exclude those from historically minoritised communities from accessing roles and progressing in the creative industries. At Creative Access, our mission to break down these barriers, which is why we are proud to be able to continue to provide this Bursary with our long-standing partners McLaren Racing to give funding to individuals from under-represented communities as they progress in their careers and help to shape the future of our industry”.
Bursary application information
To apply for the 2023 Bursary, individuals must be over the age of 18, eligible to work in the UK, identify as being from an under-represented group in the creative industries and demonstrate financial need. Within their application, individuals must communicate:
- An aspiration to work in/develop their career in the creative economy
- A clear idea of what they would spend the Bursary on & how it would contribute to their career development
- Evidence of expected costs
ITV Academy and Creative Access to host October showcase at ITV’s MediaCityUK Studios, Prolific North reports.
Diversity social enterprise Creative Access is tapping into the thriving creative community in Greater Manchester and partnering with ITV Academy to host its next creative industries showcase event in person at ITV Studios in Salford.
On October 12, attendees can hear from professionals living and working in the Greater Manchester area spanning TV, marketing, social & creative communications and publishing. The panellists will share insight into their career journeys and advice on how to find your own creative industry pathway and move up the career ladder.
Read the full article here.
Amelia Brand has covered a recent study conducted by Creative Access shedding light on the challenges faced by job seekers, particularly those from underrepresented groups, due to a lack of clear workplace and job interview dress codes and guidance.
Read the piece in full here.
Heather Fallon has covered the free training programme aimed at under-represented groups.
Fallon writes: “The partnership will offer free places on the diversity & inclusion consultancy’s TV development programme for 20 freelancers who have had prior experience within the super-indie’s group to boost their careers at a time when a vast majority are either out of work or struggling financially.”
Read the article in full here.
Creative Access’ research into under-represented groups experience of ‘increased stress and confusion due to the lack of clear guidelines about appropriate workplace and interview attire’ has been featured in The Voice.
The article writes: “Black jobseekers have expressed fears that wearing their hair naturally or dressing like themselves or wearing their hair naturally will lead to discrimination at work according to a new survey.”
“Those with Afro-textured or curly hair are less confident in wearing their natural style in the workplace – with more than 1 in 10 (14%) believing it will have a negative impact on their career.
The research also found that those with naturally straight hair did not feel compelled to change their hair texture for interviews (86% said no), whilst a third of those with Afro-textured or curly hair (31%) feel compelled to change their hair texture.”
12-month scheme to offer broad range of career development support
Banijay UK has partnered with Creative Access to offer a bespoke, year-long professional development programme aimed at TV freelancers from historically underrepresented communities who have previously worked at Banijay labels.
The scheme, which is aimed at mid-level freelance staff progressing through the creative industries, will offer training, networking, support and workshops.
During the twelve months, focus will be on areas including: developing leadership skills, owning mistakes and building confidence, building resilience & managing work life balance and financial literacy. Successful applicants will also be mentored by a senior industry professional for six months.
Bella Lambourne, Director of HR & Operations for Banijay UK, said:
“It’s an incredibly challenging time for the TV freelance community, and we are acutely aware that people from historically marginalised communities are often at a particular disadvantage. Banijay UK is committed to providing support and opportunities to those in the industry who need it, and we very much hope the scheme will help people develop invaluable skills and gain further experience.”
Bibi Hilton, CEO Creative Access, added:
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with industry powerhouse Banijay. We all know that freelancers in the broadcast industry are all too often the lifeblood and the lifesavers of TV and film organisations. They’re the flexible extra resource we bring in when the workload suddenly increases and there’s no time (or budget) to hire; bringing with them incredible specialist skills to transform output, they’re the crew on a TV production set who make mind-blowing, award-winning work and in a lot of cases are quite literally the entire workforce. And yet, as our data shows, many employers are not treating their freelancers in this way. Access to career development programme such as this can and should be transformative for.”
Key info:
- Closing date: 24th September 2023
- Duration: 12 months
- Start date: November 2023
- Entry criteria: You must be a freelance professional with prior work experience at a company within the Banijay group. This opportunity is only open to individuals from a group that is under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, or people from any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment / transitioning and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Evie Barrett has covered Creative Access’ new research into expectations around hair and clothing in job interviews and the workplace. Barrett writes: “Unclear dress codes are causing confusion and feelings of disadvantage among job seekers, particularly for those from under-represented groups.”
Read the article here.