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.  

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.   

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:  

1. Film, TV, radio and audio production 
2. Music, theatre, dance and visual arts 
3. 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. 

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:  

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: 

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:  

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 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:  

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: 

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 recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk. The deadline for the next round of applications is Friday 28^th 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. 

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.

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.

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.

The 2023-24 cohort of Creative Access’ Steering Group has been featured in Book Brunch. The title also reported on the announcement that Cameron Myers and Lizzy Burden, former Steering Group members, have become Creative Access’ newest non-executive directors.

Read here.

Lizzy Burden and Cameron Myers, two former Creative Access Steering Group members, have joined Creative Access’ Board as Non-Executive Directors, Arts Professional have reported.

The appointments come as Creative Access announces 16 creative industry workers and alumni to its Steering Group for 2023-24 following a successful pilot initiative.

Read in full here.

Sian Bayley for The Bookseller has reported on Creative Access alumni Cameron Myers and Lizzy Burden’s appointment as non-executive board directors at Creative Access, as well as the announcement of its 2023-24 Steering Group cohort.

Read about it here.  

Media firm Simons Muirhead Burton sponsor steering group of 16 creative industry stars 

Two former members appointed to Creative Access board 

Creative Access is proud to announce the members of its 2023 – 24 Steering Group. The training programme for future charity trustees once again brings together a group of 16 individuals from the Creative Access community. Showcasing the impact of the programme, two members of the inaugural steering group have also been appointed Creative Access board directors after a rigorous application process; the first alumni of the organisation to do so. 

Leading media firm, Simons Muirhead Burton has joined forces with Creative Access to guide and sponsor the Steering Group. Its involvement includes a financial contribution, hosting the meetings at its cental London office and providing in-house speakers on legal governance. 

Speaking of the firm’s sponsorship, Peter Weiss, who jointly heads the Corporate, Commercial & Finance team at Simons Muirhead Burton and also sits on the Creative Access advisory board said: “There are many synergies between the work and values of both Creative Access and Simons Muirhead Burton. We are delighted to be able to sponsor this important initiative which will create a pipeline of candidates from communities that are under-represented at non-executive level, who will help organisations to innovate, future-proof decision-making and better reflect the organisations in which they serve.” 

Creative Access’s newest non-executive directors commenced their term on 1^st November. Cameron Myers, former Creative Access trainee at Hodder & Stoughton and current Commissioning Editor at Penguin General said: “I’m so thrilled and delighted to be joining the Board of Creative Access. I’ve benefitted so much from the organisation’s leadership and impact over the years, so to be able to now feed in to all that Creative Access continues to do on a strategic level is sure to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.” 

Lizzy Burden, who was an intern via Creative Access at The Times in 2017 and is now UK Correspondent at Bloomberg TV, is also joining the board. She said: “Creative Access secured my first opportunity in journalism so it’s an honour to be part of its incredible work to help diverse talent excel at every level of the creative industries. We can’t let representation be a casualty of these challenging economic times. I’m excited to build on the success of the past decade.” 

Josie Dobrin, Executive Chair, Creative Access said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Cameron and Lizzy to our Board. Creative Access has grown rapidly in both its work and its influence over the past few years. It’s extremely exciting to add two such brilliant and skilled people to the organisation – and especially gratifying to have our first alumni on our board as we seek to grow our impact over the coming years, and to create the urgent change required to representation at all levels of the creative industries and culture sector.  

We are also thrilled to have such a phenomenal new group of alumni to our steering group. Our community have a huge amount of skills and energy to offer to leadership teams of commercial and not-for-profit organisations.  All too often job descriptions require applicants to have experience for non-executive roles, so by creating this leadership pathway, we are removing obstacles for progression. We are indebted to Simons Muirhead Burton for their huge and invaluable support of this programme.” 

The two co-chairs of this year’s group are Anderona Cole (former RadioCentre trainee, now External Relations and Public Affairs Officer at Jisc) and Osas Esosa (former intern at the Financial Times and now research analyst at Olsberg SPI). Anderona said:  Anderona said: “Over the years, I have observed how Creative Access has been working tirelessly to help level the playing field and make progress to ensure that those working in the creative sector better reflect society as a whole. I am impressed by the organisation’s willingness to evolve and the determination and wealth of experience held by the individuals who make up this year’s cohort. I am looking forward to working alongside incredibly talented individuals who are united in their desire to bring about positive change.” 

See the full list of this year’s Steering Group here.

Why not apply to join our next steering group cohort! Drop a line to our Thrive Team at this link to mark your interest.