Tom West has reported on Creative Access and FleishmanHillard’s latest data on the class ceiling in the creative industries. Read the article in full.
‘‘Eton Rifles’ still the top guns of the creative industry’ in Decision Marketing reports on how: “The British class system is still alive and kicking in the creative industries, with where an individual went to school and their level confidence still affecting how peers see each other and discrimination is widespread” using Creative Access and FleishmanHillard’s latest research.
Georgia Luckhurst has reported on the findings that 80% of theatre workers believe working-class people experience “disadvantage” within the industry, according to research from Creative Access.
A poll of creative workers found 73% of theatre employees feel it is harder for those from working-class backgrounds to land a role, while only 17% think that equal career mobility exists.
BookBrunch has covered the most recent recipients of the Creative Access x McLaren Racing Career Development Bursary, highlighting writer Nadia Attia’s funding. Read the article.
Demand increases from young working-class creatives for funding as UK rent and living prices continue to soar
Creative Access, the leading social enterprise in progressive career development and support, today announced that 37 people working in the creative industries will receive vital funding for equipment, training, driving lessons and travel costs to support their career progression in the sector as part of its collaboration with McLaren Racing.
In 2021, Creative Access partnered with McLaren Racing as part of the team’s flagship DE&I programme, McLaren Racing Engage, which was launched to open pathways into motorsport careers. Now in its third year, the Creative Access x McLaren Racing bursary supports talent from under-represented communities aspiring to work or further their career in the creative economy, but who are currently held back from doing so because of their financial status.
Barriers to the creative industries
Recent Creative Access data found that 82% of those working or aspiring to work in the creative industries in 2023 named the cost-of-living crisis as a significant barrier to accessing roles (Creative Access Financial Barriers, 2023) and recent ONS data reveals that the number of working-class creatives has halved since the 1970s. This is despite 52% of British people identifying as working-class (British Social Attitudes report, 2023).
While the Bursary is open to all ages looking to develop their career, the majority of 2023 applicants came from entry-level career stages. And 68% of applicants came from lower socio-economic backgrounds highlighting the impact and lack of accessibility to the creative industries for young people in particular.
How the bursary will be used
Each successful applicant will receive a grant between £250 and £1,000, which must be used to enable them to progress in their chosen creative career. The most common and significant request was for equipment funding such as tech and software, seconded by driving lessons.
The successful recipients are located across the UK and currently work or aspire to work across the breadth of the creative industries including publishing, TV, film, theatre, visual arts, music, product design, fashion, technology and gaming. 55% of applicants came from London, indicating the density of creative jobs in the area paired with the effects of the high cost of rent and living in the capital.
Funding was also requested for:
- Commuting costs
- Care costs
- Living and rent costs
The sectors with the most requests were:
- Film, TV, radio and audio production
- Music, theatre, dance and visual arts
- Book, newspaper and magazine publishing
Timotej Baca, who is a freelance videographer based in Northern Ireland, said: “Receiving the Creative Access x McLaren Racing bursary is massive, with the rise in cost-of-living I’ve spent the last year developing and writing projects. With the bursary I can now buy an industry-standard camera to restart my freelance career.”
London-based film and TV electrician, Mariam Hayat, explained: “As a South Asian woman, I look pretty different to other film and TV electricians – but now my tools look the same as theirs thanks to this bursary! I’m so excited to start a career as a practical electrician and work on my own creative electronic projects using the professional equipment I’ve bought.”
Bibi Hilton, CEO, Creative Access says:
“Individuals from groups under-represented in the creative industries often face financial barriers to progression. So, we are very pleased to be able to award funding from our Career Development Bursary for the 3rd year in a row, made possible thanks to generous support from McLaren Racing.
This funding really does make a critical difference with 80% of those who received funding last year saying it’s enabled them to access new opportunities and move forward in their careers. We can’t wait to see the impact this funding will have for this year’s successful applicants.”
Kate O’Hara-Hatchley, Head of Diversity, Early Careers and Development, McLaren Racing, commented:
“McLaren Racing is delighted to be supporting the Creative Access Career Development Bursary for the third year running. The McLaren Racing Engage alliance aims to tackle address systemic inequalities in our industry to ensure we can become one of the most inclusive teams in sport. We have seen great impact to date, helping to break down the barriers and open more doors within the creative industries. The scheme is an integral part of McLaren Racing’s commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, a key pillar of our Sustainability Strategy ensuring that everyone, irrespective of background and financial status, has equal access and opportunities.”
Melina Spanoudi reports on Hachette reopening its 2024 traineeship programme in partnership with Creative Access which will provide entry-level positions as well as, for the first time, placements for experienced candidates looking to take a new step in their career. Read the article.
The Mo Siewcharran Fund has awarded its latest round of grants to five outstanding, creative organisations across theatre, music, dance and the arts: BoyBlue, MAYK, Platform, Good Chance Theatre, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Fund was set up six years ago in memory of Nielsen Books’ former director of marketing and communications, Mo Siewcharran, by her husband, John Seaton and is administered by leading diversity and inclusion social enterprise, Creative Access.
Mo Siewcharran was passionate about ensuring theatre, publishing and the arts were accessible to all and the grant funds internships for talent from Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse backgrounds to improve accessibility and representation in the creative industries.
This round includes the awarding of funds to train an individual from a refugee and migrant background who will gain paid experience in the arts, via Good Chance Theatre.
Impact of the Fund
Since the Fund started in 2018, it has supported 40 Black, Asian and ethnically-diverse trainees in publishing, theatre and music across the UK.
On this latest round of recipients, founder of the Fund, John Seaton said:
“From two different theatres, to an arts centre, from classical music to hip-hop, the range of companies the Mo Siewcharran Fund is assisting in the latest round is exhilarating. It could hardly be more diverse. And yet these companies, located in Bristol, Glasgow and London, are united in one crucial aim: to make the workplace in the creative industries fairer and more accessible to the under-represented. My thanks to these brilliant companies for their pursuit of that challenge and to Creative Access for the vital role they play in the process.”
The grants contribute to the salary of an intern for a six-month traineeship, and trainees benefit from a full programme of support from Creative Access to ensure that they thrive in their new role.
This year’s list of recipients includes the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. With a mission to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence and inclusive in their appeal, James Williams, Managing director said:
“Having an intern in the RPO has proved to be a hugely beneficial relationship for both us and the successful candidate. Interns are catalysts for innovation, bringing vitality and diverse insights. Their contributions extend beyond the present, shaping the very fabric of our organisation. This invaluable experience not only enriches their skills but also serves as a pivotal stepping stone for their future careers in the dynamic realm of music. We are immensely grateful to the Mo Siewcharran Memorial Fund and to Creative Access for their support and we look forward to working with them over the course of 2024 and beyond”
Platform, an arts centre in Glasgow’s east end, offers a year-round programme of performance, music, visual arts and participation, and brings together communities and artists. The trainee at Platform will gain hands-on experience as Performing arts and communities producer. Upon receiving the grant, Creative director Matt Addicott said:
“We are delighted that our application for a Mo Siewcharran grant to support an intern from an under-represented community has been successful. We are committed to increasing opportunities for people who are under-represented in the arts and look forward to working with Creative Access to recruit and support the role here at Platform as part of our programme team.”
Another recipient whose work embraces different creative disciplines to reach communities, is London-based theatre and arts charity Good Chance Theatre. The trainee at Good Chance will enter its Stage Door programme as Admin and production assistant. Hannah Harding, Development and communications manager, said:
“The continued support of the Mo Siewcharran Fund has been transformative, allowing us to reach further in our efforts to radically improve accessibility and opportunities in the industry for people seeking sanctuary in the UK – a mission deeply aligned with that of Creative Access – and challenge harmful narratives about refugees. Thank you to both Creative Access and the Mo Siewcharran fund for their unfaltering belief in the programme and efforts to help us make the industry more reflective of our wonderfully diverse country.”
The Fund is proud to support organisations across the UK, including Bristol-based live performance organisation, MAYK, which makes space for a holistic, long-term approach to creating memorable experiences that are accessible to lots of people. The trainee at MAYK will learn how to produce live events, as Assistant producer. Co-director Matthew Austin said:
“We are so thrilled to receive support from the Mo Siewcharran Fund and Creative Access. We care deeply about opening up new routes into the cultural sector for young people who are often excluded from opportunities, and this funding will help us offer a supportive, creative context in which new talent can thrive.”
Also receiving the Fund is hip-hop dance theatre company, BoyBlue. Shaped by a multi-generational, multicultural community, this east London based company will host a trainee administrator. The trainee at BoyBlue will learn the ins and outs of operating an arts charity. BoyBlue’s Executive director, Jo Stendall said:
“We are pleased to partner with Creative Access to provide a trainee position within Boy Blue and are very grateful to the Mo Siewcharran Fund for supporting this appointment. The training and support programme that is provided by Creative Access was a key factor in our decision to apply to this fund and we look forward to the process of meeting our new colleague.”
Announcement:
Creative Access and John Seaton welcome applications for the next round of the Mo Siewcharran Fund, which is open to theatre, publishing or music organisations wishing to support internships for those from under-represented communities.
Those interested in applying should contact lucy@creativeaccess.org.uk. The deadline for the next round of applications is Friday 28th June 2024.
Senior figures from the sector have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list, including the co-founder of Creative Access, Josie Dobrin. Read the article.
Josie Dobrin, Jilly Cooper, Charlie Mackesy and Alexander McCall Smith are among figures in the publishing industry awarded New Year Honours, reports The Bookseller. If you have a subscription to this title, you can read the article here.
With the generous support of Lee & Thompson, Creative Access is supporting 13 mid-level freelancers from the creative industries, BookBrunch reports. You can read it here.
Creative Access, the leading diversity and inclusion social enterprise, is excited to announce that 13 mid-level freelancers from across the creative industries have been awarded a funded place in its new ‘Thrive’ programme. The programme – generously funded by leading law firm for the creative industries, Lee & Thompson – aims to provide the professional development and career support that 50% of freelancers from under-represented groups say they need to progress and currently cannot access.
The scheme targets those from backgrounds under-represented in the creative industries – this includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment or transitioning and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds – at mid-career level. Submissions had to outline career trajectory to date and outline what they were looking to get out of the support programme.
Tailored career acceleration
Creative Access’s 2023 Freelance Report shows 78% of under-represented freelancers see professional training and networking as vital to career development yet often, unlike permanent employees, they do not receive this support from employers. The inaugural 12-month cohort of 13 freelancers will receive tailored guidance to boost their skills and network, addressing unique challenges faced in their careers.
The Thrive programme, designed to empower under-represented professionals, encompasses a comprehensive range of resources and opportunities. Participants will benefit from a dedicated mentor, networking opportunities and training sessions covering leadership development, self-belief, effective self-management, building a successful career, financial literacy and legal fundamentals, provided by Lee & Thompson’s team.
Ongoing commitment to diverse talent
Crucially, Lee & Thompson’s three-year funding commitment will support a further 10 professionals per year, focusing on mid to senior career level individuals from under-represented groups seeking to expand their network and skillset. Future funding until 2026 will target the development of a career advancement programme for senior professionals from historically under-represented backgrounds in the creative industries.
Barriers faced
The programme comes at a time when the most debilitating barriers facing under-represented freelancers and their careers are ones difficult to tackle without support:
- 1 in 5 (22%) became a freelancer due to negative experiences in a perm role
- Disabled individuals are 30% more likely to freelance after a negative permanent role experience
- 54% report being offered a day rate or salary below their level
Successful applications had this to say:
Olivia Swash, TV freelancer, Development & Production AP: “As with many freelancers in TV at the moment, I’ve been struggling to secure roles despite my strengths and experience. Through the Thrive programme guidance from a mentor, support from a network of like-minded freelancers, and better knowledge about the practicalities of freelancing will arm me with an iron-clad potential to achieve my goals.”
Hamza Ali, freelance movement artist & theatre director “I’m incredibly excited to be part of this programme and collaboration between two brilliant organisations that support the creative industries. I’m ready to absorb everything they offer to enrich and accelerate my career growth as a movement director.”
Bibi Hilton, CEO Creative Access stated, “We are delighted to partner with Lee & Thompson to launch the Thrive programme and provide critical professional development and career support to individuals at mid-career level from groups under-represented in the creative industries. Through this programme, we aim to empower those participating to achieve their full potential and overcome barriers they face in their career progression. We are grateful for Lee & Thompson’s support and commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the sector.”
Reno Antoniades, managing partner, Lee & Thompson: “We are really proud to collaborate with Creative Access and to support professionals from under-represented backgrounds. For forty years, Lee & Thompson has worked with clients at the forefront of the creative industries and we understand the intrinsic link between diversity and creativity. That is why we are backing this collaboration, not only financially, but also with our time, expertise, networks and advice.
Schemes such as Thrive are crucial for the growth and success of the creative industries, and it is essential that we minimise barriers facing under-represented talent in particular to provide opportunities for individuals to continue to flourish.”
For more information about the Thrive programme and Creative Access, see here.
PR Week cover the new members of the Creative Access Steering Group initiative, which aims to prepare rising PR pros for leadership roles in comms and other creative industries. You can read their story here.