Televisual’s Pippa Considine covers the Creative Access 2026 Thrive report, ‘Progress under pressure’: “The 2026 Thrive report calls for renewed focus on retention, equitable access to training (particularly in AI), and sustained investment in inclusive career development pathways. While challenges remain significant, the findings also illuminate a clear opportunity: to move from fragmented progress to […]

Creative workers from under-represented backgrounds under strain, reports Theo Bosanquet at Arts Professional. “People from under-represented backgrounds in the UK’s creative industries are experiencing “increasing pressure” from rising living costs, technological change and uneven access to opportunity, a Creative Access (CA) report has found.“ “We’ve spent years working together to open doors for talented people from under-represented backgrounds, but […]

“New research from diversity and inclusion social enterprise Creative Access reveals ‘mounting financial pressure threatens the progression and retention of under-represented creative talent in the publishing sector.” Read BookBrunch’s article, ‘Cash pressures blunting diversity drive’.

“Two thirds of creatives from under-represented backgrounds have considered leaving the sector according to a report that warns that recent progress towards diversity and inclusion is ‘at risk of being undone’”, reports Hattie Fisk at The Stage.

“The UK creative industries are operating under increasing pressure, with rising living costs, rapid technological change and uneven access to opportunity reshaping how people enter, progress and remain in the sector, according to the latest Thrive report from Creative Access,” reports LBB’s Cathy Meyer-Funnell with comments from comms and marketing manager, Sidra Faridi.

Key findings at a glance:  The UK creative industries are operating under increasing pressure, with rising living costs, rapid technological change and uneven access to opportunity reshaping how people enter, progress and remain in the sector, according to the latest Thrive report from Creative Access.  Titled ‘Progress under pressure’, the 2026 report shows an industry still evolving, but progress is disproportionately distributed and heavily dependent on access to support, networks and sustained investment.  Drawing […]

“The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is investing £7 million into a scheme aimed at widening access to the creative industries,” reports Arts Professional.

Refreshed ‘Discover Creative Careers’ programme launched by new national collective – Futures for All, Creative UK and Creative Access Hundreds of thousands of young people across the UK are set to benefit from a major UK government-backed careers programme, aimed at widening access to the cultural and creative industries.  Launched today, 16 July 2026, and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) the refreshed Discover Creative Careers programme is aimed at young people aged 11–24, with a particular […]

“Following the success of its inaugural year, the six-month initiative will once again connect emerging creatives with accomplished mentors from Maya’s professional network, providing career guidance, industry insight and invaluable access to opportunities across nine creative sectors. Developed by Maya in partnership with Creative Access, the programme reflects her ongoing commitment to opening doors for […]

“Created in partnership with Creative Access following a successful first year, the programme offers participants direct mentorship, industry knowledge and practical career development between September 2026 and March 2027,” reports New Wave Magazine. New Wave Mag adds, “The partnership with Creative Access gives the initiative significant depth. For years, the organisation has worked to improve […]

June’s Creative Access masterclass with powerhouse publisher Pan Macmillan was a bittersweet one. Hosted during an historic heatwave, the evening was a warm celebration of community, honest career insights, and what it takes to build a career in publishing. It was also our founder, Josie Dobrin’s, final masterclass as she steps down from her role. In her intro, Josie commented on the historic partnership between Creative […]

“Developed by Maya in partnership with Creative Access, the programme reflects her ongoing commitment to opening doors for the next generation of creative talent,” reports Imprint.