What’s more important than understanding the career pathways available to you? At Creative Access, ensuring the next generation is well-equipped to access and thrive in the creative industries is a core part of our mission. Our creative industry insights days are one of the most effective ways we do this. Designed for students, youth and community groups, these sessions aim to help them understand what a creative career can look like. Participants get the chance to visit a creative workspace, apply their existing skills and develop new ones while working on a creative brief.
Here is a snapshot of an insights day we ran with Loughborough University and Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), where students were invited to learn about exhibition, curation and design.
Seeing is believing
Now in the fourth year of our partnership with Loughborough University, we kicked off the year with an insights day at the V&A. Under-represented students from the School of Design and Creative Arts were invited to learn more about the Design and Disability exhibition, currently on display at the V&A.
Students were encouraged to think openly about accessibility and inclusive design. The aims of the day were to:
- Learn about the creative industries: providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles available
- Gain confidence and optimism: empowering students to see their potential and feel excited about their career prospects
- Highlight the importance of networking: introducing students to practical tools for navigating creative workspaces
What the day involved
Following the Social Model of Disability
The day started with a thorough introduction from Design and Disability curator, Nat Kane. They spoke on the importance of designing an exhibition with accessibility at the core. Introducing students to the Social Model of Disability, Kane explained how accessibility was considered throughout the curatorial process – from early conversations with disabled creatives about what they wanted to see represented, to the final exhibition layout. With Creative Access’s mission centred on championing accessibility across the creative industries, this session was a valuable opportunity for students to consider intersectionality in their own work.
Exploring the Design and Disability exhibition
Following the talk, students had the opportunity to explore the Design and Disability exhibition themselves, to contextualise all that had been said in the introduction. Reflecting the exhibition’s inclusive design, they were encouraged to take in the art at their own pace and explore the different design techniques used.
Understanding inclusive design in practice
The group then took a deeper dive into the practicalities of the inclusive design, talking about things like DeafSpace design and how to improve accessibility for people with visual impairments. Students were encouraged to be open and notice things they wouldn’t have before and reflect on how these features make the exhibition more accessible. They were then given a creative brief and tasked with thinking of ways to make the V&A and future exhibitions more inclusive.
Building confidence through networking
We finished the day with an employability session led by Creative Access on the importance of networking and practical tools for building meaningful professional connections. Students practised key skills, including elevator pitches and active listening, and were also introduced to various networks they could join as early-careers talent from under-represented backgrounds.
Impact
The day proved to be an immense success. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive:
- 100% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the session helped their understanding of creative careers and what it takes to succeed
- 100% of students agreed or strongly agreed this session helped them feel inspired and optimistic about a future creative career
The creative industry insights day highlighted the power of exposure and goal-setting in encouraging students to take meaningful steps toward their creative ambitions.
Student testimonial
“Events like this are very useful to network with other students at your university. You could possibly think of collaborating with multiple universities so that students have the opportunity to network with students from all over the country.”
Not being afraid to put myself out there. Being authentic when networking.
Are you interested in booking a creative industry insights day? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our programmes team on email.
