Starting out in the creative industries as a freelancer or as a new creative business can be daunting. To help you navigate this path Dance City in partnership with Creative UK are offering two opportunities to get you in gear.
The first is a series of free-to-access workshops designed to give you the tools to move forward, take control, and create a more sustainable career. The second is an intensive mentoring programme designed to focus your freelancing or creative business planning and build a strong network of creative partnerships.
This is in partnership with the Culture and Creative Investment Programme, delivered by Creative UK and funded by the North East Combined Authority. Forward Freelancing is dance focused, but the programme is open to support any early career freelancer or creative business within the performing arts.
These workshops will take place from November 2024 to January 2025. Each session is delivered by a leading industry figure and tailored to developing your skills and resources in a specific area. Each Open Workshop will also include a participant networking opportunity.
Participants are welcome to join the full series of 5 workshops or can attend individual sessions. These workshops are free, but booking is essential. All participants MUST be registered freelancers/creative business with UTR code.
Session 1
Finding Your Way as a Freelancer
Delivered by Leila D’Aronville
Wednesday 13 Nov 2024, 1.00pm
Leila D’Aronville will lead an introduction to freelancing within the creative industries. What is involved in creating a successful freelance career and the steps you need to take. Leila D’Aronville is a freelance creative producer and facilitator and founder of Tyne and Wear Cultural Freelancers.
Session 2
Developing a Mixed-Model Creative Business
Delivered by Amanda Drago
Monday 18 Nov 2024, 1.00pm
Amanda Drago will lead a workshop exploring different ways to approach business planning and how to identify which business model or mix of business modelling may be right for you. Amanda Drago is Co-Director of Green Croft Arts on the Northumbrian and Cumbrian border and a Rural Touring Dance Ambassador for the North.
Session 3
Risk and Reward, Assessing and Managing IP Opportunities
Delivered by Farooq Chaudry OBE
Wednesday 27 Nov 2024, 11.00am
What is IP and what is the role it can play in developing a successful model? Farooq Chaudry OBE will draw on his international career and the role IP has played. Farooq is Artistic Director of Feng Ling Productions, Producing Director of Akram Khan Dance Company and Associate Producer of Dance City.
Session 4
Netting The Work and Working Your Net: Building relationships and reputation for long-term success.
Delivered by People Dancing
Friday 6 Dec 2024, 2.00pm
Creating relationships and partnerships with other professionals in central to the success of working as a freelancer or as an independent creative business. People Dancing will lead a workshop aimed at focusing networking skills and how to capitalise on professional connection. People Dancing is a development agency for community and participatory dance.
Session 5
Self-Producing for a sustainable creative business
Delivered by Moving Art Management
Wednesday 15 Jan 2025, 1.00pm
As a freelancer or as part of an independent creative business having the skills to self-produce is becoming increasingly necessary, but this can also be hugely beneficial for driving your career forward. Moving Arts Management will lead a workshop in putting the right skills in place to take control of your own career trajectory. Moving Arts Management is a producing company bringing new opportunities to the UK and internationally.
Intensive Mentoring Programme.
The second opportunity, is an intensive mentoring programme.
Are you at the start of a freelancing or have recently set up a new creative business? Would you like some guidance and support on how to move things forward?
Dance City and Creative UK are offering 10 North of Tyne independent freelancers or new creative businesses an opportunity to access a specific learning and business development journey. This opportunity will give you:
• 1-to-1 mentoring from Dance City’s specialised team
• A business bursary of £500 to cover project expenses
• A networking challenge that will expand your connections and lead to future creative opportunities.
• To participate in this Individual freelancer/business development opportunity applicants must:
• An early career freelancer or creative business.
• Be registered freelancers/creative business with UTR code.
• Cannot have received grant support previously from Creative UK.
• Must live within the North of Tyne catchment area.
• Must be able to attend programme activity from 18/11/24 to 31/01/25. This activity will take place predominantly at Dance City but will also include visits to other locations in the North-East.
This is in partnership with the Culture and Creative Investment Programme, delivered by Creative UK and funded by the North East Combined Authority. More information can be found here.
Participants are also encouraged to attend the Forward Freelancing Open Workshops.
This opportunity is limited to 10 placements. If applications exceed 10 then participants will be selected by randomised ballot. To apply for a place click the button below and complete the form.
The deadline to apply is: 17/11/2024
