The jobs page at www.creativeleicestershire.org.uk is updated regularly & includes job ads with short deadlines that don’t make it into the ebulletin

Assistant Operations Manager, Curve Theatre
Curve,one of Britain’s leading producing theatres located in the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter hasan exciting opportunity foran Assistant Operations Manager to join our Duty Management team within the Operations Department. The role will be primarily responsible for Duty Managing performances and events (evening and weekend working will be required), leading, training and motivating the ushers, volunteer customer hosts and the Operational Co-ordinator, maintaining the Operations Department rota, providing exceptional customer service and a professional and friendly first point of contact for both internal and external customers. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about personal development within a creative environment, have a flexible approach to working patterns and a commitment to working unsociable hours, excellent written and verbal communication skills and an ability to work under pressure. Previous experience of Duty Management and managing staff working in a customer focused environment is essential. If you meet the above criteria please visit the website for further information and to submit an application. Closing date for applications: Sunday 18th January 2015.

Senior Performing Arts Technician, mac birmingham
We're looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic Senior Technician required to lead a small team of performing arts technicians at mac. The Senior Technician is responsible for technical services relating to productions, performances and live events in the centre, and for the maintenance and technical servicing of mac's Performing Arts Studios. Duties will include scheduling of staff, liaising with production companies, operating and maintaining lighting, sound, stage craft and AV equipment in a variety of performance spaces. To check if you have the skills we require, visit our website: download the application form, recruitment pack and supplementary information pack. Follow the instructions at the end of the recruitment pack to send in your application form. Please note CV’s will not be accepted. Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 19 January 2015,

Programme Co-ordinator - Real Creative Futures, New Art Exchange
Initially for 6 months with option to extend  to 31 December 2015. New Art Exchange (NAE) is a ground breaking, award winning and internationally recognised creative space in the heart of inner city Nottingham.  The organisation is dedicated to promoting excellence in contemporary culturally diverse arts through exhibitions, events and education initiatives. Together with local partners, NAE is delivering a pioneering new programme of support to creative entrepreneurs and businesses in Nottingham called ‘Real Creative Futures’.  It also supports the creation and growth of the creative industries in the City – a significant growth sector for Nottingham and one that can create quality local jobs. We are seeking to appoint a part time Programme Co-ordinator to support the Project Manager – Real Creative Futures to deliver this exciting programme. The post holder will ideally have some previous experience in working with ERDF-funded projects, and some knowledge and understanding of the needs of creative businesses and nuances of the creative sector. For questions regarding the vacancy, please contact Kate Lockhart, Interim Director of Business Development via email at kate@nae.org.uk.  For an application pack please visit our website or alternatively contact Anita Kumari on 0115 924 8630 or email recruitment@nae.org.uk. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 9am on Monday 19th January 2015.

Assistant, The Sewing Cafe
We're looking for someone to join our team... If you have retail experience, ideally in a small independent shop, and a real passion for all things sewing and fabric, then we'd love to hear from you. We are looking for someone to work in the shop, and be a helping hand around our workshops, every Saturday, with the possibility of additional hours during the week. We want someone who is friendly and out-going, with a good head for numbers, a love of colour and a real attention to detail. We are looking for someone who can spin many plates at once and has real get-up-and-go when it comes to working independently. If you think you tick these boxes then please send your CV to iwouldlovetowork@thesewingcafe.co.uk  plus we'd love to hear a little bit about why you'd make a great addition to our team. Closing date: Monday 19th January 2015.

Furniture Commission, Ladybird Gallery at Charnwood Museum - Charnwood Borough Council
Ladybird Ladybird is an Arts Council England funded project, working in partnership with Charnwood Museum and Leicestershire County Council. The project celebrates 100 years of Ladybird Books and its connection to the people and places of Loughborough. As part of the project, Charnwood Museum is re-developing the Ladybird Gallery. The commission is related to the 'Sharing Stories' area of the gallery. The space is being developed with a focus on families and under 5s. The aim is to create additional storage and seating within the 'Sharing Stories' area. The commission will see the creation of a fixed corner seating unit with integrated lockable storage and a fixed bookcase that encourages engagement and exploration of the books and stories. Both need to be themed with Ladybird books and its connection with Loughborough. The chosen artist will work with input from Museum staff, LCC collections team via Local Heritage Officer. To fulfil the commission we are looking for an artist with some experience of creating practical but innovative furniture. Deadline: 23 January. For more information and application details please contact Ashleigh Jayes on 07809 198591 ashleigh.jayes@charnwood.gov.uk

Head of External Relations & Business Development, Dance4
Dance4, internationally recognised, experimental dance organisation and promoter of Nottdance international festival, is recruiting for four posts including Head of External Relations & Business Development. Specification: To lead Dance4’s strategy to diversify and grow investment and earned income, to ensure consistent high quality communications activity and to develop strong relationships internally and externally to enable Dance4 to achieve its business objectives. Candidates must have five years’ strategic communications experience within the arts and cultural sector and a track record of securing investment. Closing date 12pm Tuesday 20 January. For an information pack visit www.dance4.co.uk, call 0115 9410773 or email jobs@dance4.co.uk

Senior Media Officer, Curve Theatre
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Media Officer to join the Communications team and contribute to the growth of Curve’s regional, national and international profile. Reporting to and supporting the Head of Communications, this role is responsible for developing, maintaining and growing positive relationships with all media and PR agencies and driving the creation and delivery of Curve’s media and PR strategy. The successful applicant must have experience of working within a media or PR environment and be proficient in the creation and generation of news coverage across traditional media platforms as well as online and digital communications. You must be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, be diplomatic, creative, influential and a good team player. Due to the nature of the role, evening and weekend work is required. In addition to this you must be educated to at least A level standard or equivalent, have the ability to communicate effectively, with excellent copy writing skills. If you meet the above criteria and are passionate about the opportunity to further your career in communications within a creative arts environment please visit the website for further information and to submit an application. Closing date for applications: 21st January 2015

Director of Programmes, DanceXchange
DanceXchange is a strategic leader in the UK dance sector, taking the best British dance to a worldwide stage, bringing outstanding artists from across the world to Birmingham, and developing a reputation as a world-class producing house. Having completed a major transformation, we are now seeking an ambitious Director of Programmes for an exciting new role heading the Programme Team. This is likely to appeal to individuals looking to progress to senior management in the arts sector. You will lead a small, highly competent team of specialists with a remit to ensure the cross fertilisation of ideas across the team and excellent relationships with artists. This role will direct DanceXchange and the International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) programmes and projects with the overall aim of creating high quality programmes and integrating performance, production and participatory activities. The successful candidate will have a strong artistic understanding of excellence in dance and the issues facing the dance sector. They will have five years experience of working in at least one aspect of programming, production or participation. This is a post that requires well developed leadership skills and an ability to inspire others as well as an ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. See the website for further details, including Job Description and Person Specification. Closing date for applications is: Friday 23rd January 2015, 6pm

Studio Coordinator, Two Queens
Two Queens is looking for a Studio coordinator to assist in the effective running of our artist’s studios and facilities. The successful candidate will have a passion for the arts, be self-motivated and have excellent administration skills. The position is offered on a freelance self-employed basis, therefore applicants will need to make their own National Insurance and Tax arrangements. Fee: £1,400 , 7 hours per week. 6 Month contract, including 3 month probation. Two Queens is an artist led studio and gallery complex situated in Leicester's Cultural Quarter. With the ambition of providing a centre for experimental modes of arts production, exhibition and exchange, Two Queens is dedicated to establishing an agenda for new activity in the city and region. Since 2011, Two Queens has been run on an entirely voluntary basis by a board of three directors and a wider committee group. The Studio coordinator will report to these members as well as being a point of contact for current and prospective studio holders. The studio coordinator role is expected to require 7 hours of work per week which could be managed as a single working day or spread across the week as required. Flexibility is essential as some tasks may require involvement during early evenings/weekends. Some work may be possible to complete remotely but the successful candidate will need to live in or be planning to move to Leicester. View the detailed Person Specification and how to apply here. Deadline: 25 January. 

Deputy Ticket Sales Manager, Nottingham Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
With annual audiences of over half a million people, Nottingham Theatre Royal (1200 seats) & Royal Concert Hall (2,400 seats) are the major Arts and Entertainment facility for the East Midlands. The Deputy Ticket Sales Manager will be a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who will play a vital role in building on the venue's current successes. Working with the Ticket Sales Manager they will manage the Ticket Sales team on a day to day basis. The successful candidate will require a strong customer and sales focus to their work, with an ability to communicate with, inspire and motivate staff to deliver the highest possible standards of service to our diverse range of customers and offer excellent organisational and communication skills. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Nicola Blackburn on 0115 721 0693. For a full application pack please visit the website. Closing date: 10am on Monday 26th January.

Front of House Assistant, Phoenix
We are seeking to employ individuals with expert customer service skills for the post of Front of House Assistant at Phoenix. This is a key role in ensuring our customers feel welcomed and comfortable and requires impeccable customer service, a polite, welcoming and friendly manner. You will be required to interact with a wide variety of people and have the ability to engage in conversation with customers whilst serving them and responding to their requests. You will undertake ushering duties, room set-ups and kiosk sales. Find out more here. Closing date: 27 January.

Website Designer (Senior), Creative Direction
We are looking for the most dynamic website designer/programmer to join our tightly knit marketing team. You will be producing bespoke websites (no templates/no Wordpress) for the widest range of discerning clients. You must be commercially aware, dedicated and fully versed in HTML, CSS, Java script, JQuery and PHP. Custom CMS and E-commerce expertise is a must, as is SEO, code compression and server management. If your desire is to produce the very best websites send a cv and examples of work to studio@creativedirection.info. Deadline: 30 January.

Tender – Reviews of governance, staff, fundraising and income, Creswell Heritage Trust
Creswell Crags has recently been awarded Transition Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a series of mentored reviews aimed at improving the resilience of the organisation. The main focus is to: Develop financial planning and a practical fundraising plan, working with our Development Manager to make bids. Re-examine the core staffing structure, identify and develop capacity and skills in volunteers, staff and Board of trustees. Provide accurate projections for a new 2015-16 Business Plan for the Trust. Re-assess the trading and commercial activity of the organisation and develop a model to capitalise on increased visitor numbers. Review our financial and operational processes. Tenders are invited by a single consultancy or consortium for the entire package of work listed.  Deadline for submissions - 12 noon, Fri 30 January 2015. For tender information please contact us at info@creswell-crags.org.uk, tel 01909 720378

Micro-exhibition commission, Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery
Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery along with Danielle Bastiaens, a post-graduate student at the University of Lincoln studying MA Contemporary Curatorial Practice, are seeking an East Midlands-based visual artist who can demonstrate new and challenging ways to display artwork in 6 bespoke table vitrines (or flat display cases) for a temporary display in the Castle café. At the heart of the Museum, looking over the beautiful panoramic vista of Nottingham from the terrace, the café is a busy part of the Castle, serving thousands of visitors a year. The selected artist will be invited to display their work in six vitrines set within tables in the Castle's café. Find out more here. Deadline: 30 January 2015.

Digital Media Producer, Channel 2020 Ltd
Digital Media Producer: Channel 2020 Ltd is looking for a Digital Media Producer who has a strong understanding of video animation, motion graphics, digital design, web development and web tv. The suitable candidate would need to have a strong management and technical ability of all the above areas but with a suitable level of hands on experience for only some of these. The job requires the candidate to be a client facing producer of digital media projects for a wide range of national and international clients. The position is full time and would be based here at our Leicester offices, however, there may be opportunities later on where we could offer a more flexible office/home based working arrangement. We are also currently embarking on a range of Web TV projects that require an innovative understanding of the evolving Web TV opportunities that are emerging both commercially and creatively. Salaries will be provided based upon candidate experience and ability. If interested in this position, please could you provide the following: 1. Evidence of a proven track record of your relevant successes and experience. 2. Proof of at least 3 years minimum experience within this field. 3. Examples of your work experience. 4. Corporate experiences must be included within your examples. 5. Your salary expectations to Becky Edwards, Business Development & Project Manager at leics.tv becky.edwards@channel2020.co.uk  Deadline: 31 January

Marketing & PR Officer, Dance4
Dance4, internationally recognised, experimental dance organisation and promoter of Nottdance international festival, is recruiting for four posts including: Marketing & PR Officer. Specification: To implement plans that successfully deliver Dance4’s ambitions on marketing, audience development and press relations. Candidates must have at least 2 years’ marketing experience in the arts and cultural sector and an interest in contemporary performance work. Closing date 12pm Monday 2 February. For an information pack visit www.dance4.co.uk, call 0115 9410773 or email jobs@dance4.co.uk

Artist in Residence (Libraries), The Spark Arts for Children
The Spark Arts for Children is looking to recruit 2 'artists in residence' within 2 library settings in Leicester city. The artist is likely to be a poet/ storyteller/ playwright and will, through a year-round programme of events and community engagement programmes, support and develop the library settings as active cultural spaces to learn and play. The artists will be in residence in St Barnabas & St Matthews Libraries and will work with library staff, schools, youth provision, family and community groups to re-imagine the library as a cultural hub at the heart of the community. For more information, the Creative Remit and Job Description, please go to www.thesparkarts.co.uk/jobs Closing date: 2 February.

Producer: Artists, Dance4
Dance4, internationally recognised, experimental dance organisation and promoter of Nottdance international festival, is recruiting for four posts including: Producer: Artists. Specification: To research, develop and lead Dance4’s programme of activities that develop opportunities for artists, including residencies, producing, touring and presenting work. Candidates must have excellent programme management skills and experience of producing the work of dance artists. Closing date 12pm Monday 2 February. For an information pack visit www.dance4.co.uk, call 0115 9410773 or email jobs@dance4.co.uk

Lecturer in Digital Product Design, De Montfort University - School of Design
De Montfort University has recently formed a new School of Design which brings together the key subjects of Product, Furniture, Interior, Craft, Fashion and Textile design. The School incorporates undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD study with excellence in teaching, research and design consultancy. You will make a substantial contribution to the academic development of the Design Products Subject Area, where knowledge and experience of current industry practice in product design and digital technology integration are crucial to the role. Applicants should have industrial experience in the field of product design and be fully conversant with 3D-CAD software packages. Ability and a proven interest in the application of digital tools to the product design and realisation process is essential. You will be highly motivated and passionate about design and the challenge of inspiring the next generation of designers. A commitment to working within the context of a team and building on the successes of this award-winning, IED- Accredited Subject Area is essential. More information and how to apply here. Closing date: 2 Feb.

Learning & Engagement Co-Ordinator, The National Centre for Craft & Design
The National Centre for Craft & Design sits at the heart of the market town of Sleaford in Lincolnshire in the beautiful riverside setting of Navigation Wharf.  It is the largest venue in England entirely dedicated to the exhibition, celebration and promotion of contemporary and international craft and design. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our artistic team. As Learning & Engagement Coordinator you will be responsible for developing and delivering a balanced and dynamic public programme and resource for children, young people, families, adults and professionals. Candidates for the post will have artistic vision and be well versed in organising a range of participatory events that meet the demands of quality, diversity and audience engagement.  They will have experience in gallery learning and be dedicated to working collaboratively with colleagues and partners. If you are passionate about craft and design, and would relish the opportunity to enrich the service of a renowned cultural venue, we want to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Clare Edwards on 01529 308719 or email clare@nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk.  Closing date for completed applications is 12 Noon on Wed 4 February 2015.

Part-Time Communications Officer, Soar Media
Soar Media is looking for a talented Communications Officer to join our skilled team on a part-time basis. This is a great opportunity for someone wishing to gain valuable experience across all areas of public relations, focusing on a predominantly sport-based client portfolio. Reporting to the Communications Manager, the successful candidate will work on a number of projects, assisting in the promotion of our clients' activity. If successful, you will support the communications team and will be involved in all areas of work on a number of client accounts. To find out more visit the website. Deadline: 6 Feb.

Creative Employment Programme Internship - Arts Administrator, Ikon Gallery
Ikon is committed to providing opportunities for entry level employment and is delighted to offer one paid internship role of Arts Administrator. You will gain insight into the workings of an internationally acclaimed contemporary art gallery, housed in a magnificent Grade II listed neo-gothic school, as it celebrates its 50th birthday. The opportunity to work across departments with numerous team members will develop your professional work experience and confidence in an exciting and inspiring atmosphere. An interest in art or wider culture, enthusiasm to contribute flexibly and fully to a busy team, excellent communication skills, general office experience and good I.T. skills are essential. A willingness to learn will be met with experience, guidance and support. Find out more. Closing date: 12 February. 

Volunteer Gallery Host positions available at K N ARTS Gallery
K N ARTS Gallery is based at 68 Humberstone Gate in Leicester City Centre, situated just outside of the Cultural Quarter. Volunteer Gallery Hosts are needed! If you are looking for valuable work experience, we have positions available Monday – Saturday full days or half days. We aim to provide all Hosts with opportunities that are interesting, engaging and rewarding. Get in touch for a Volunteer form. W: kylienortharts.wordpress.com E:kylienortharts@hotmail.com

Volunteer Opportunities, FTM Dance
FTM Dance are looking for volunteers to help backstage at our performance at the Curve on 19th February. Roles to include working closely with the children back stage, performing on stage with the children, assisting them to remember their routines, assisting with stage management. Volunteers will be needed between 10am-6pm on Thursday 19th February, there are 30 positions available. FTM are also advertising for volunteers to assist with 1:1 work with a group of young people with special needs at Embrace Arts this Easter from 30th March to 3rd April, this is best suited for people with an interest in the disability arts industry. For information contact leanne@ftmdance.co.uk or visit www.ftmdance.co.uk

Phoenix seeks Marketing Volunteers
Fancy getting some experience in marketing or writing at Phoenix? In the new year, we’re looking for one or two people who can lend a hand as marketing volunteers. In return, you’ll get the chance to gain some valuable experience, learn new skills, and work with a lively team in a charitable organisation. We’re looking for people who already have some experience. Ideally, you’ll have worked in marketing or writing in a company before. We’re particularly interested in people with experience in the following areas:

• Digital marketing -Practical experience managing a website, using Google Analytics, AdWords, SEO and social media.
• Writing - Able to produce concise marketing and/or journalistic copy, case studies, press release and social media posts.
• Relationship marketing - Experience managing CRM, membership and loyalty schemes.
• Promotions - Experience developing and managing creative promotions to attract new customers (with next to no budget!).

In our experience, these things work best when a volunteer can give around 2 days a week for a period up to 6 months. That way, you can really get your teeth into things and clearly see the results of your work. If you are interested, please send an email to ‘marketing’ using our contact us page. A CV would be nice, but not essential. Please give us an idea of how you think you could help and why you’d want to. If we think it could work, we’ll set up an informal meeting where we can chat about it.

Free Space at The Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts
Free workshop space on offer to a skilled artisan at The Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts, Staunton Harold, Leicestershire. Workshop is 150 sq.ft with power points, strip lighting and sink with cold water over.For further details and viewing please apply to Caroline@andrewlargesurveyors.co.uk or telephone 01332 862250.

Knighton Lane Artists studios
Knighton Lane Artists studios have available studio spaces. 70.00/month includes 24/7 access, bills, onsite parking and use of the workshop. We are a collective so membership will also entitle you to exhibit regularly as part of the KLA. To view the studios or to get more information please contact our membership co-ordinator timjfowler@hotmail.com
http://www.knightonlaneartists.co.uk

Dock
Dock offers a wide variety of services for entrepreneurs, so you’ll find something that fits your needs. Dock is an excellent base to grow your business. Our quality office, lab and workshop spaces are professional and affordable. All our workspaces have 24/7/365 access, with a managed internet and telephony system so you can plug in from day one. All workspaces are unfurnished but furniture can be leased at competitive rates, if desired. Find out more here.

Studio Spaces Available at Two Queens
Artist's studio spaces are available at Two Queens' studio complex in Leicester's cultural quarter. Prices start from £50/month inclusive of bills and rates and benefit from 24/7 access, natural light, Wi-Fi and the chance to take part in member's activities, group critiques and professional development sessions. Two Queens Membership is now also available to non-studio holders and is open to artists working in any medium, aged over 18 and living within the UK. 2q membership is aimed at those who wish to benefit from the critical dialogue and support that a peer group of fellow practitioners can provide, but do not require a studio space. For more information and to register your interest in studio space or 2q membership please email info@2queens.com. 

The Innovation Centre
De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre is a launch-pad for student, graduate and staff businesses which are either innovative by nature of their products or services or can demonstrate innovative working practises. We provide a physical hub in which local entrepreneurs and innovators can grow and develop their business. The Innovation Centre offers: A space for your business to operate from; 24 hour access to your unit; Meeting, boardroom and event space at no extra cost; Access to DMU expertise; your business could benefit from working with world class Researchers, Academics and Professional Services staff; A social hub for informal meetings and recreation. Because The Innovation Centre is part of De Montfort University, we are able to connect our residents with Researchers, Academics and Professional Services staff who can assist in the growth and development of the business. Find out more here.

Creative Leicestershire Business Surgeries
Book a one-to-one session with our business advisor, Fred Brookes.

• Leicester, 3 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available
• Oakham, 10 Feb, Oakham Library, LE15 6HW. One hour slots available
• Leicester, 17 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available

 

 

These sessions are only available to residents of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. This is a Creative Leicestershire event

Oska Bright Film Festival open for Entries
The 7th international festival of short films made by people with learning disabilities invites submissions for the 2015 festival. The festival is looking for films and digital media that are under 10 minutes long. They can be in any genre, from live action or animation to documentary or dance-film. Films can be made by groups or individuals in the UK or abroad and they must have learning disabled people in control. The deadline for entries is Thursday 30 April 2015 and the Festival takes place over 3 days in November 2015, in Brighton. The website www.carousel.org.uk has full information on how to enter and an accessible on-line guide to film-making. Or you can call on 01273 234 734 or email oskabright@carousel.org.uk for an information pack.

The Photography Show and Magnum Photos Present "30 under 30"
Magnum Photos and The Photography Show are giving 30 IdeasTap members the opportunity to have their work exhibited in front of thousands of visitors at The Photography Show, 21-24 March 2015 (Birmingham NEC). Competition winners will also participate in an exclusive 30 under 30 portfolio review event at The Photography Show. The brief judges are looking for original photographs that have a sense of narrative, are technically astute, and have a clear concept that links them all together. You should also possess the ability to communicate your project. To find out more visit Ideastap. deadline: 21 January. 

The Book Illustration Competition 2015: Open For Entries
The Book Illustration Competition is a unique partnership between House of Illustration and The Folio Society that seeks to identify and promote new talent in illustration. The annual international competition is open to illustrators over the age of 18, both student and professional, who have not been previously published by The Folio Society. The winner receives a prestigious Folio Society commission. Each year entrants are asked to submit three illustrations and a binding design for a particular book chosen by The Folio Society. The winner receives a highly sought-after commission, worth £5,000, to complete a total of nine illustrations and a binding design for the book, which is then published by The Folio Society. Five runners each receive £500 cash. Three prizes of the six are awarded to student entries. The Book Illustration was launched in 2011 and has received thousands of entries from over 44 countries. Visit the website to find out more and apply. Deadline: 19th January 2015.

The IdeasTap £10k Film Fund
Filmmakers! We've listened to what you want. We know how hard it is to get your short film funded. So to make it that bit easier, we're offering £10k to fund the production of a short film in any genre or category. Members of any age can apply - the only restriction is that we’re looking for filmmakers who already have at least one short film under their belt, or who already have a body of work in other forms of moving image. The length of the film can be anything up to 25 minutes.  We will issue the cash by the end of February and the deadline for completing the film will be August 2015. The final decision on which project wins will be made by Iain Canning, Oscar winning producer at See-Saw Films (The King's Speech, Shame, Tracks) Find out more at Ideastap. Deadline: 19 January.

Design Council - Spark product innovation fund
Design Council Spark is a new product innovation fund to uncover the UK's next great inventions. Apply now for a chance to win a place on our 20 week bespoke support programme, as well as up to £65,000 investment to help bring your physical product prototype or idea to market. Design Council Spark is a fund and accelerator that invests in product innovations which are primarily physical. We are looking for brilliant individuals or teams with revolutionary products or products in development. Find out more here. Deadline for applications: 31 January 2015.

Belfast Photo Festival - 2015 Open Submission
Looking to get more exposure for your photographs? Belfast Photo Festival is offering between 20 and 40 IdeasTap members the chance to exhibit their work in the main gallery of a major festival alongside some of the biggest names in the field, with a number also having the opportunity to be featured in the arts magazine Abridged. The winners will be eligible for a number of awards, including a cash prize of £1,000. The theme for this brief has been left open; submissions must be photographic or lens-based but can include incorporations of other art forms with the photographic medium (i.e. performance, painting, sculpture, music, literature etc). This brief closes at 5pm on Friday 6 March 2015 and is open to IdeasTap members aged 16 and over, find out more here.

Training, Workshops & Events at Phoenix

• Primary Teacher CPD Monday 2nd Feb, 10:00 – 16:00, FREE. Adam Pepper of Silverscreen Primary Education will be delivering this day long workshop designed to show you how you can build the use of film and filmmaking into your daily lessons, improving engagement and enhancing skills across literacy, science, history and geography. 
• The Art of Screenwriting is in its 4th year now. Dates: Tuesdays 10th Feb – 31st Mar, 19:00, £96/£80 concession. Tutors: Kenton Hall and Richard James. The Art of Screenwriting will provide a practical, skills-based guide to screenwriting – taking participants from their initial idea to a finished short film over the course of eight weeks.
• Secondary and FE Teacher CPD Thursday 12th Feb, 12:00 – 16:00, FREE. Further Info: Delivering this training is published writer and film theorist Nick Lacey with this half day long workshop designed to show you how you can build the use of film into your daily lessons, improving engagement and enhancing skills across the curriculum.
• Love Is Irregular Friday 13th Feb, 19:00
  Price: £10/£8 concession. Tutor: Laura Mee. A whistle-stop tour of some of the different and slightly twisted portrayals of romantic love on film. This course includes a ticket to the screening of Jim Jarmusch’s 'Only Lovers Left Alive' after the session.

 

 

• The New Incunable Print Shop. Fri 16 Jan – Sat 28 Feb. Phoenix, 4 Midland Street, Leicester LE1 1TG. A display of 3D print blocks and prints created by the public at the New Incunable Print Shop exhibition during its run at Lightbox Studios, LCB Depot in November.  This participatory exhibition – run in partnership with artist collective Juneau Projects – invited people to make print blocks, and use them to design their own artworks and posters.  There will be a free drop-in 3D print workshop on Tuesday 17 February.
• 3D Print Workshop. 20 Jan & 17 Feb, 1-7pm
  Phoenix, 4 Midland Street, Leicester LE1 1TG. A free drop-in workshop where you can design and make your own 3D print block then use it to create original artworks and posters.  A limited number of small group sessions (up to 12 people) are also available until 28 February, by prior arrangement - contact sarah.vallance@phoenix.org.uk.

 

 

 

• Free apps tell Leicester’s hidden stories. Explore the stories of the city’s Cultural Quarter through award-winning original writing with the new Hidden Stories app, or immerse yourself in the sounds of the past and present with Sounds of the Cultural Quarter.  Commissioned by Phoenix for Affective Digital Histories, a University of Leicester research project exploring how communities change with urban decline and regeneration.  The apps are available to download FREE for Apple or Android devices.
   

 

Contact Phoenix Box Office on 0116 2422800 or for more information go to www.phoenix.org.uk and look for ‘Short Courses for Adults’

Creative Leicestershire Business Surgeries
Book a one-to-one session with our business advisor, Fred Brookes.

• Leicester, 3 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available
• Oakham, 10 Feb, Oakham Library, LE15 6HW. One hour slots available
• Leicester, 17 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available

 

 

These sessions are only available to residents of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. This is a Creative Leicestershire event

'Selected for the Top - 2015' - Made in Leicestershire at the top floor of Ferrers Gallery
Ferrers Gallery and Creative Leicestershire are teaming up to run an exhibition of selected artists on the top floor of the gallery throughout 2015. The exhibition will run from May to July, August to October and November to February giving 18 artists from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland the opportunity to sell their products at this prestigious gallery. Each exhibition will see 6 artists selected and one from each cohort will be selected to receive mentoring from the owner, Rachael Chambers. To apply please send a CV with a covering letter stating why you want to exhibit at Ferrers Gallery and stating whether you would also like to apply for a mentoring session from Rachael. Please include details of where we can see your work on line, a short biography of no more than 300 words and a high quality image that, if you are selected, will be used alongside your work in the Gallery. Application deadlines are Feb 28th, May 31st & August 31st 2015,  please email your application to creative@leics.gov.uk.. 

Call for artists: Leicester and East Midlands Open Art Exhibition 2015
Newarke Houses Museum & Gardens. This year's Open exhibition is being organised in partnership with De Montfort University. For the first time in its 26 years, the exhibition will be held at Newarke Houses Museum where it will launch the museum’s new Garden Galleries. The annual Open exhibition presents an exciting opportunity for young, emerging and established artists to showcase their creative talents. The exhibition is open to practitioners across a wide selection of different art forms including painting, photography, illustration, sculpture, textiles and ceramics. Online applications are now available until Monday 9 February. To apply and full criteria information, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/open26

K N ARTS Gallery now available to hire
K N ARTS Gallery is based at 68 Humberstone Gate in Leicester City Centre, situated just outside of the Cultural Quarter. This huge gallery space is available to hire throughout the year - either weekly, fortnightly or monthly to Creative professionals and Artists. The Gallery is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm. Get in touch for an application form. W: kylienortharts.wordpress.com E:kylienortharts@hotmail.com

Leicester Sketch Club are welcoming artists to apply for membership
Next selection date is the 4th February at Knighton Parish Centre, Church Lane, Leicester LE2 3WG. Membership forms need to be returned by Sunday 25th January. You will be asked to submit 3 pieces of work for selection. For forms and more details click here. We are always on the lookout for new and exciting artists of all medias. We have an annual exhibition plus monthly meetings with demonstrations & talks from inspiring professional artists.We organise a series of workshops and sketching days also throughout the year. We look forward to hearing from you.

Engine Room - Sound Art Competition
Submit new sound art – including audio and audio-visual pieces, interactive works, installations and graphic scores. Selected works will be eligible for a number of prizes and may also be invited to exhibit at an accompanying exhibition at Morley Gallery, London, from 12 May – 12 June 2015. Entry costs £10. Find out more. Deadline: 15 February.

Calling Designer-Makers: Applications now open for Handmade in Britain 15
Handmade in Britain supports and promotes designer-makers who create their work in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We provide a platform of support and promotion for design and craft talent through fairs, events and popups alongside workshops and mentoring. We increase accessibility, create market opportunities and maintain high standards in the craft sector whilst providing a comprehensive support programme for new graduates and up-coming design talent. Applications are now welcome from makers who produce their work in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, and who work in the following disciplines: fashion design & accessories, interior design & accessories, glass, jewellery, furniture, stationery, metalwork, ceramics, sculpture, woodwork, prints and etchings - please check the application pack for details. Deadline 31 March.

Bloomberg New Contemporaries
From 2015 New Contemporaries will expand its professional development support for artists through one-to-one mentoring, workshops, studio bursaries and other opportunities. Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2015 will launch in venues across Nottingham before travelling to London. Applications are welcome from final year students and those who graduated from UK art schools in 2014 applying as artists or as collaborative groups. Every single work submitted will be reviewed. Submission costs £25. Find out more. Deadline: 2 February.

British Glass Biennale 2015: Call for Entries
The call for entries for the British Glass Biennale 2015 is now open. The UK’s premiere selling exhibition of contemporary glass currently has five prizes to be awarded, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London; alongside its growing international status as the leading showcase for British based makers. In addition awards are typically given by our supporters Art in Action and crafts&design Magazine, making the value of awards in 2012 worth over £17,500. The British Glass Biennale is open to UK based artists, designers and craftspeople, working in all areas of contemporary glass practice or using glass as a key design element. For more information and to enter please visit the British Glass Biennale 2015 website. The closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 30 January 2015.

Call out for sponsors for Design Crafts Degree Show - June 2015
Design Craft students at De Montfort University are looking for sponsors for their degree show. The show will feature a fantastic range of contemporary ceramics, glass, metalwork and textiles. Any sponsors will be credited in the catalogue. Contact designcrafts@live.com for more information.

Derek Hill Foundation Scholarship
"To encourage artists for whom the use of paint and/or drawing is central to their practice." The Derek Hill Foundation Scholarship is a three month residency (October to December 2015), with an en-suite residential studio, meals in our communal dining room, 24-hour access to our historic library collection, a research grant of c. £950 per month, and a group show. Application costs £25. Find out more. Deadline: 30 January.

Frieze Artist Award 2015
Oportunity to present ambitious, site-specific work as part of the Frieze Projects programme. The Award is open to UK and international artists between 25–40 years of age. Artists are invited to propose a new work to be realized at Frieze London 2015 as part of its critically acclaimed Frieze Projects programme, produced under the guidance of curator Nicola Lees and the Frieze Projects team. Proposals should "respond to the environment of the London fair. Applicants will be judged on the innovative nature of their proposal and the potential for its realization at Frieze London." Entrance to the Award is by open submission and further details on the scope of the Award are detailed on the Frieze Projects website. The award will include a budget of up to £20,000 for production, research and development, artist fees and travel expenses. Find out more. Deadline: 10 February. 

The Yellow Book is open for Submissions - rethinkyourmind
The yellow book is a publication from the rethinkyourmind project. It is created by those with experience of mental health challenges and endorsed by professionals. The book hopes to educate, aid and support. 48 pieces of art, photography and poetry selected from this years entries will be published in the 2015 yellow book. To find out more about the project and submit your work visit the rethinkyourmind website. Deadline: 15 February 2015.

Ceramics Workshops
Come along & create your own unique gift this Valentine's day or Mothers Day; a ceramic rose, a heart... a special something that will be treasured for years to come! Ceramics workshops are great for anyone looking to learn a new skill whilst creating something beautiful and unique. Whether there's a specific item you wish to make or simply just to have a play and explore the world of clay, we have a range of workshops available designed around you. Available for: one-to-one's, groups, childrens activities, parties, Hen parties, schools, after school clubs, craft groups, care organisations and more. We are also able to come to you! From £15 - £109. Ceramics Workshops do not run on specific dates, date and time availability is flexible- weekdays, evenings, weekends, to check availability just enquire with your desired date.

15 knoll street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9QR
www.katherinefortnumceramics.com / kfortnum@hotmail.co.uk / 07732789997

Paint with Ray
Based in Wigston, Raymond Riley is a fully qualified Bob Ross instructor in the wet into wet technique of painting flowers and Lanscapes. Paint with Ray is focused on providing high quality tuition and customer satisfaction using the wet into wet painting technique. Painting flowers in oils using this method must be the easiest way to oil paint, there are no mistakes in this method of oil painting - ' just happy accidents'. Ray provides workshop demonstrations of both landscapes and flowers for all ages from £45. All materials needed to create your masterpiece will be provided from within my painting classes. For more information visit the website. 

Art & Craft Courses at Embrace Arts

• Life Drawing: Shapes and proportions Saturday 31 January, 10am – 3.30pm, from £22. Focus on observing the proportions of the body and how the shapes, mass, solidity and energy of the human form can be expressed in exciting ways.
• Fused glass jewellery Saturday 24 January, 10am – 4pm & Saturday 31 January, 10am – 12pm, £40 / £22. Tutor: Kat Christou. Learn about fused glass to create beautiful jewellery. You will learn how to make an impressive selection of cufflinks, pendants, rings and earrings.

 

• Short Arts Breaks: Sensory Sculpture with Austin and Bridget. Monday 16 February, 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm, FREE. Join us for this free 2 hour workshop using clay to create a sensory sculpture, inspired by our exhibition by renowned artist Chila Kumari Burman, and themes in her work of culture, diversity and identity. Suitable for young people with complex disabilities age 5-20. Personal assistance and care provided by the Carers Trust UK.
• Abstract watercolour Tuesdays, 24 February – 31 March, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, £70 / £40. Tutor: Lois Gardner Sabet. Work with the basics of colour theory, using watercolours to develop varied expressive brush strokes that will lead to compositions and completed paintings.

 

Embrace Arts, Richard Attenborough centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA. www.embracearts.co.uk

Upcoming printmaking courses at Leicester Print Workshop

• Teachers Print Lab Tuesday 27th January 5.30pm - 8.00pm, £10. Are you a teacher or educator interested in bringing printmaking into the classroom? Teachers’ Print Lab is a series of regular CPD print sessions that take place one Tuesday a month for the duration of the 2014/15 school year (Sept – July). Each session will explore a different print technique that you can take away and adapt to your own learning environment. 

Leicester Print Workshop,  50 Saint Stephens Road, Leicester, LE2 1GG. All courses can be booked by calling Leicester Print Workshop on 0116 255 3634, emailing info@leicesterprintworkshop.com or visiting www.leicesterprintworkshop.com/courses

Creative Leicestershire Business Surgeries
Book a one-to-one session with our business advisor, Fred Brookes.

• Leicester, 3 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available
• Oakham, 10 Feb, Oakham Library, LE15 6HW. One hour slots available
• Leicester, 17 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available

 

 

These sessions are only available to residents of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. This is a Creative Leicestershire event

The Purple Breakfast Review is Open for Submissions
We invite writers and illustrators to submit their work on the theme of ‘Beginnings’ to be considered for publication in the first issue of our 2015 online journal, The Purple Breakfast Review. The first issue will be published in March 2015, with submissions for this issue closing on Friday 20th February 2015 at 5pm. You can enter up to 3 pieces of creative work or 3 illustrations for FREE, to be considered for any one issue. Subsequent submissions will be at a small fee. We are accepting written submissions in the form of prose, poetry, drama and non-fiction. Illustrations are to be sent in PDF or jpeg formats and written submissions attached as a Word document. Maximum Word Limits are as follows: Poetry – 600 words, Prose – 2000 words, Drama – 2000 words, Non-fiction – 1000 words. To enter your work, simply send your submission/s to pbr@thestudentwordsmith.com. We look forward to receiving your entries. The Student Wordsmith team.

Want to showcase your writing?
The Student Wordsmith are currently accepting submissions for our ‘Your Writing’ sectionon the website and will consider submissions in the form of poetry, prose, drama and/or featured article. Maximum Word Limits: Poetry (600), Prose (2000), Drama (2000), Featured Article (1000). We will review your submission before working with you on some editing practice until we feel your piece is ready. We will then showcase your work on our website for readers to follow. Writing can be a personal experience but, this way, we help to build your confidence in sharing your writing with others. Please send your work  for consideration to write@thestudentwordsmith.com under the subject line ‘Submission: [Title/Author]‘. Write poetry, review the latest books, cover the most up-to-date literary news, or feature articles for a student and university audience. The possibilities are endless…

Submit a Play to HighTide 2016
If all the world’s a stage, who’s writing the script? Well, you are. HighTide Festival are giving you talented bunch of scribblers the chance to have your play read at their brilliant theatre festival in Aldeburgh in September 2016.
Up to two winners of this brief will each receive feedback from Steven Atkinson, HighTide Artistic Director, and Stephanie Street HighTide Literary Associate, and a public reading at HighTide’s London offices. If a play is deemed to be exceptional, there may then be the chance to have the reading remounted at the HighTide Festival 2016 in Aldeburgh.
The HighTide Literary Department exists to discover and nurture exciting new plays by exceptional emerging writers and has quickly become an engine room for new writing in the UK. Find out more at Ideastap. Deadline: 23 Feb.

The Yellow Book is open for Submissions - rethinkyourmind
The yellow book is a publication from the rethinkyourmind project. It is created by those with experience of mental health challenges and endorsed by professionals. The book hopes to educate, aid and support. 48 pieces of art, photography and poetry selected from this years entries will be published in the 2015 yellow book. To find out more about the project and submit your work visit the rethinkyourmind website. Deadline: 15 February.

UEA-WCN International Writing Programme – UEA Norwich
A suite of creative writing courses, online and face-to-face, offering high quality teaching in both fiction and poetry - Building upon Norwich and UEA’s proven record of literary excellence, Writers’ Centre Norwich and the UEA are teaming up to offer courses in creative writing, both online and face-to-face. Led by writers, with excellent records in teaching, the UEA-WCN Creative Writing Programme offers courses in both poetry and prose fiction and caters for beginners as well as for those who are more advanced. Find out more and apply here.

Courses & Events from Writing School Leicester

• The Magic of Fairy Tales Fairy tales are simple stories hiding complex psychological themes. Often first encountered in childhood, these darkly glittering tales continue to bewitch and mystify.This short course, with Polly Tuckett, will look at familiar and less well-known tales and modern re-workings and invite participants to write their own tales of enchantment. Mondays 19 Jan – 9 Feb 11am – 1pm at LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE. £64, £52 conc.
• Novel Writing Workshop The best way to learn the craft of the novelist is to write a novel. Through the sharing of work-in-progress and detailed feedback, participants hone their writing and critiquing skills. Tuesdays 7.15 - 9.15pm. 20 Jan - 17 March (no session 17 Feb) at Phoenix Arts Centre, Leics. £128, £104 conc.
• Writing Workshop 1Experienced tutor and professional writer Maxine Linnell leads this short writing course. Experiment with a wide range of writing styles and genres - fiction, poetry, drama, memoir and more. We’ll use play, exercises and feedback to discover new possibilities and explore unexpected areas. Surprise yourself! Wednesdays 21 Jan - 11 Feb, 10am – 12pm at LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE. Cost: £64, £52 conc.

All courses have a 4% PayPal fee if booked online. More courses are available on the Writing School Leicester website

 

Writing courses and events at Embrace Arts

• Exploring South Asian fiction
  Tuesdays, 27 January – 10 March (Not 17 February), 10am – 12pm, £50 / £25. Tutor: Farhana Shaikh. Discover emerging voices in South Asian fiction and explore the region’s diverse culture and landscape through some of its most talented writers. 
• Shakespeare and Leicester
  Saturday 31 January, 10am – 5pm, £40 / £22. Tutor: Ben Spiller. Take a closer look at two of Shakespeare’s plays that dramatise Richard III and Lear, two kings who met their fate in Leicester.

Embrace Arts, Richard Attenborough centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA. www.embracearts.co.uk

Creative Leicestershire Business Surgeries
Book a one-to-one session with our business advisor, Fred Brookes.

• Leicester, 3 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available
• Oakham, 10 Feb, Oakham Library, LE15 6HW. One hour slots available
• Leicester, 17 Feb, LCB Depot, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available

 

 

These sessions are only available to residents of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. This is a Creative Leicestershire event

Us and Them - Guest Artist Call Out
Tetrad is looking for a selection of guest artist/company(s) to present a 10-30 minute work-in-progress performance in Us and Them on Sunday 15th March 2015! Us and Them is a platform for artists to present new and innovative contemporary performance to a live audience. Tetrad aims to bring together local artists, thinkers and citizens to contribute to creative discussion on different performance practices by experiencing new performance work, engaging in interactive feedback and supporting emerging young artists. Us and Them will be hosted at Embrace Arts, creating a safe environment for exchanging views between artists and audiences. After the showcase of performances there will be an informal question and answer session, opening up a dialogue about the artists performance and practice to encourage development of the work. We are open to what form the performance is in; it could be an installation, dance, spoken word, lecture, choreography, live sound, comedy or an interdisciplinary work. So why not test out your new work at Us and Them? If you would like to submit a performance please contact Tetrad to request the proposal form at: tetradcompany@gmail.com Deadline for proposals: Friday 23rd January 2015

soundLINCS Putting the Focus on Folk
A new mapping resource has gone live on soundLINCS’ website this week to help young people find folk groups and opportunities across the East Midlands and help put the Focus on Folk! This mapped resource is available on the soundLINCS website and highlights singarounds, ceilidhs, folk clubs, folk concerts, folk festivals, organisations and collaboratives providing folk activities, workshops, courses and events for young people taking place across the region, together with information of nationally available resources / toolkits, digital resources and workforce development activities assisting in teaching and community engagement. We want the map to keep growing so your contributions are welcome!  If you know of any other opportunities or resources in your area not currently on this map, please get in touch with soundLINCS at info@soundlincs.org or by calling us on 01522 510073 and we will happily include them.

Calling Musicians, Dancers and Vocalists
Drum and Brass brings Leicester's communities together through music-making. The first event  resulted in the performance, just before Christmas, of a brand new piece of music - "East Meets West" which will soon be made available in video and as sheet music. The second event in our Arts Council-supported project is coming up soon and the time to book a place is now! 'Exploring Street Rhythms' will be a high energy weekend of collaboration between samba drummers from Sambando Drumming Leicester and other artists. Guided by American composer Mark Polishook we'll be looking at rhythms and melodies based on conversations, rhymes, chants and other street sounds which will be combined into an overall work. This event is for all performers - instrumentalists, dancers, vocalists and artists; level of experience is not important. The workshop will be held at St Patrick's Church on Beaumont Leys Lane on Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February with an informal performance at the end and the cost is £20 for the weekend. Register online www.drumandbrass.co.uk

The Fosse Music Collective
A group of mental health service user musicians and songsters meeting on Monday afternoons to play music and enjoy themselves with an option to record and perform - and it's free. Monday afternoons 12.30 - 2.30pm at Fosse Arts, Mantle Road, Leicester, LE3 5HG. To find out more contact Tim Sayers, Arts in Health Coordinator at LPT Tim.Sayers@leicspart.nhs.uk tel: 07795475806

Association of British Orchestras Conference
28-30 January 2015 at Sage Gateshead. People power: it’s what fuels our orchestras. Whether it be our managers or musicians, or our colleagues in the concerts halls, broadcasting or the record industry, or the millions who come to our concerts or listen to our music, without people we are nothing. But as the tectonic plates shift, putting our industry under ever greater pressure, are we investing enough of our time, money and energy in our people, and perhaps more importantly in ourselves? And are we giving ourselves the knowledge and the capacity to manage the inevitable changes to our industry that will help us meet the challenges and opportunities of the coming years? Find out more and book here.

How Can You Improve Your Workshop Techniques?
As a freelance Music Practitioner have you ever felt isolated in your work and thought it would be great to have the chance to talk to like-minded, experienced, contemporaries about your workshop techniques and working practice; or to get a personalised outside perspective on what you do and how you do it, to discuss on a 1-2-1 basis how you may develop or enhance your musical offer? soundLINCS is offering up to 10 Music Practitioners the chance for a peer to attend their workshop for FREE. This unique learning and development opportunity is designed to help inspire, energise and develop your delivery by way of an accessible approach to observational practice. Telephone us on 01522 510073 or email info@soundlincs.org to let us know what your needs are and how we can help and support you on a confidential 1-2-1 basis! Get in touch for more information and book an appointment for an informal observation and reflection on your session and working practices.

‘I Could Do That’ – Know About and Use Early Years Apps
During Summer 2014 soundLINCS held ‘Early Years Arts in the Park – I Could Do That’; a free active creative learning event held in Rufford Abbey Country Park by soundLINCS and the Nottinghamshire County Council Arts Service. The event built on the simple phrase ‘I can do that’ by using the known habits of settings to create and develop a programme of events and activities that inspire and enthuse Early Years practitioners and their groups. soundLINCS have released the first of a series of 4 videos illustrating the active learning provided by music workshops on the day, available here. This video offers an overview of the workshop ‘Know About and Use Early Years Apps’ with soundLINCS’ Music Facilitator Eddy Mentzel. In his workshop Eddy used iPads to demonstrate a variety of tried and tested music apps for early year’s activities, enabling practitioners and children to explore and create music using the iPads, and gain advice from a music technology specialist.

People Dancing Summer School - Save the date!
People Dancing have announced that their annual Summer School will take place from Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 July 2015 at De Montfort University's Performing Arts Centre of Excellence building in Leicester. More information will be available on the People Dancing website shortly.

National Student Drama Festival 2015
The National Student Drama Festival empowers and inspires young talent and ambition. NSDF15 will take place in Scarborough next spring. It will feature performances, workshops, discussions, masterclasses and entertainment in venues across Scarborough, including the Stephen Joseph Theatre, University of Hull Scarborough Campus and the Scarborough Spa. It will run from Saturday 28 March 2015 to Friday 3 April 2015 inclusive. If you are aged 16 to 25 (inclusive) and involved with a UK-based theatrical production taking place between now and 20 February 2015, and think that it might be something that deserves being part of NSDF15, find out what they’re looking here. This brief closes on Friday 20 February 2015 at 5pm and is open to IdeasTap members aged 16 to 25.

Emerging Perspectives Programme
Developing the next generation of East Midlands theatre-makers and performers: As the East Midlands leading touring theatre company - the single largest provider of theatre specifically designed to tour to rural community venues - we produce 4 productions per year, in addition to running a range of participatory and training programmes.Training and skills development are central to our work. The Emerging Perspectives programme provides a range of opportunities for emerging theatre-makers living, working and studying in the East Midlands including Emerging Performers and Practitioners: an opportunity for emerging actors, directors, designers (set, costume, lighting or sound) composers, stage managers or writers aged 18+, to take part in a company of emerging East-Midlands theatre-makers - beginning on Monday 6 April 2015, with a short tour of East Midlands venues from 6 July 2015. Deadline: 20 February 2015. For more information visit the website.

Adult Bollyfitness Class
Adult Bollywood dance classes are starting again from 27th January 7 to 8 pm every Tuesday at Curve. Grab your chance to improve your fitness, Make mew friends and get the opportunity to perform in Curve Theatre on main stage for our very special annual show on 24th April. Venue : Rehearsal Room at Curve, time: 7 to 8 pm on Tuesdays. £5 per session. Please contact info@nupurarts.org.uk to book your place. 

Performing Arts & Music Courses & Events at Embrace Arts

• What's the story Saturdays, 17 January – 14 February – 10am – 12.30pm, £60 / £30 for 6 sessions. Do you like funny stories? Come along and learn how to spin a good yarn and make people chuckle. These fun and practical sessions offer practical experience in writing, acting, improvisation and performance techniques. There will be an opportunity to perform and show off your new-found skills at the end of the course in a special showcase. Open to all and complete beginners welcome.
• Latin American dance for beginners. Tuesdays, 20 January – 24 March, 6pm – 7.30pm, £65 / £35. Tutor: Maggie Munoz. Get on your feet and have a go at this fun, energetic and exciting dance style. Improve your health, fitness and wellbeing. For adults interested in learning the basic skills, this informal course led by an experienced dance facilitator requires no specialist clothing or footwear.

 

Embrace Arts, Richard Attenborough centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA. www.embracearts.co.uk

Events from Dance4
Dance4 is an international centre for the development of extraordinary 21st century dance.

• Coffee Shop Culture, Adaire to Dance. Saturday 24 January, 8pm. Coffee Shop Culture explores themes of social interaction, lifestyle and routine, through innovative contemporary choreography and digital projection created by digital artists Illuminos.
• Quick Shifts, Sunday 25 January, 6pm. Quickshifts returns for another series of improvised dance performances. Led by a pioneering group of dance explorers, each show offers something different.

 

• Chicas Locas Burlesque Showcase, Doe Demure, Friday 30 January, 7.30pm. An eclectic mix of group and solo routines by Doe Demure’s burlesque group and learners from the beginners course performing for their very first time. Compered by Mrs Marjorie Hawkins who came out of retirement due to pension cuts and bills to pay.
• Mass Movement 2015, Dance 4
  Leicestershire and Rutland U.Dance County Platform. Saturday 14 February 2015, 7:30pm—9:30pm. Curve Theatre. 11 groups from Leicestershire and Rutland have been selecetd to perform and showcase their work at Leicestershire's County platform, Mass Movement for one night only. A live selection panel will then select one group to perform at MY (Midlands Youth) Dance Festival taking place on Saturday 11 April at Nottingham Playhouse.For more information about MY Dance Festival please click here.

www.dance4.co.uk

 

Creative Coffee
Creativity, Coffee & Conversation. We're a free fortnightly networking meet-up for creative people and those looking to meet creatives. See www.creativecoffee.org.uk

Writers Meet Up Leicester
Writers Meet Up is  a relaxed and informal meet up for writers living in and around Leicestershire. You'll find plenty of advice and inspiration or just a listening ear amongst this friendly group. The format: Buy a drink, introduce yourself and talk about writing and see where the conversation leads... Date for the next meet up: Tuesday 3rd February, upstairs at Bru Cafe, Granby Street, 10.30 am onwards. 

Open Coffee - Leicester Tech Startups
This is a networking and community event for existing and aspiring tech startup entrepreneurs. Aimed at geeks, techies, scientists, coders, students, entrepreneurs and innovators who are serious about turning great tech ideas into money via startups, spin-offs and joint ventures. See http://www.leicesterstartups.com/

FSB & Network Midlands - Networking in Leicester’s West End
FSB & Network Midlands bring SPICE to Networking in Leicester’s West End (First weds of each month) at the NEW Chef & Spice Restaurant. Meet people who can help you within your business or help get you in front of your customer. Talk directly to business people who have resolved business issues which you may be having. Venue: Chef & Spice 1 Andrewes Street, Hinckley Road, Leicester, LE3 5PG,  Date: first Wednesday of each month. Time: 6pm to 9pm, Price as stated (includes networking, food and a drink) Places must be booked via the Eventbrite booking system. 

C.E.M.E.N.T
C.E.M.E.N.T is an online space for Creatives and Artists to connect, collaborate and create. We’ll be platforming inspirational Artists and Creatives through our monthly Creative Profiles. Linking Artists with an interest in kickstarting collaborative projects through our Lonely Heartists section and sharing a wide range of Events and Training all of which can be found on our site, or in our easily digested monthly newsletter. Click here to register as a CEMENT member,  gaining free access to all content online, as well as signing up to the newsletter.

Our Cultural Commons: A national conversation about local culture has just begun
Where was your first cultural experience? And where will be your last? Chances are the answer to both those questions will be ‘close to home’. Our Cultural Commons is a new national conversation about local cultural infrastructure – what works, what doesn’t, how and where it thrives – and how it could reach its full potential. The conversation was started by Voluntary Arts and Arts Development UK, but now everyone with an interest in culture is invited to join in and explore how local cultural provision can be made better. To read more about Our Cultural Commons, sign up for updates or get involved, visit www.ourculturalcommons.org

The Art Of Shouting Quietly - a guide to self-promotion for introverts and other quiet souls
Pete Mosley is currently running a campaign for his book "The Art of Shouting Quietly" via Indiegogo. Pete Mosley writes, blogs and speaks about the business of creativity - drawing on thirty years of creative freelancing - coaching and advising creative individuals and small creative businesses. Pete is a business editor/expert for craft&design magazine, creating both online and offline content for the magazine and other prominent blogs in the UK and overseas including the Design Trust, Creative Choices, Cockpit Arts and the Cape Craft & Design Institute, South Africa. This book is aimed all the brilliant people out there who hit a wall when it comes to marketing themselves - either through shyness, introversion or a mistrust of marketing itself. By contributing to the campaign you will get a copy of The Art of Shouting Quietly before it goes on general release. Pete will personally sign all books purchased from this page. If you are from group or organisation you could get a talk, workshop and some free books. For more information and to contribute visit the website.

Thinking Differently Workshop- LCB Depot Business Support Team
19, January 2015 - 20, January 2015. A free 2-day workshop to show businesses how to think innovatively. LCB Depot's Business Development Team is offering a FREE two-day workshop to show businesses how to think innovatively and help their business become more competitive through new product or service development. The workshop will take businesses through the thought-process of generating new ideas and selecting the ones with the most promise, helping businesses to drive forward new opportunities for their products or services. More info, check eligibility, and register on Eventbrite.

Leicestershire Textiles Hub Launch
Thursday, 29 January, 4 - 7pm, Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel. The Leicestershire Textiles Hub is here to reinvigorate the textiles industry in the region. To provide information, inspiration and innovation. To encourage more people to join the industry and to help businesses grow. To promote new ideas, new skills and new technology. We are excited to launch our new website and even more excited to capture your voice. If Textile Manufacturing in Leicestershire is to grow, what needs to happen? Join us and have your say! Find out more and book via eventbrite.

Idea Coach: Creativity coaching
Do you have a creative idea that you have been planning to bring to life, but just haven’t got round to it for one reason or another? Would you like to take a more focussed approach to managing your creativity from the point of inspiration, right through to the realisation of your idea? If this sounds like what you need, then creativity coaching may be a helpful option for you. Please visit our website and select the Idea Coach page: www.ideacloud.solutions

Training from Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy
The Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy programme has 26 fundraising training courses taking place across England between January and March 2015. Find out more and download a copy of the training leaflet here.

Family Arts Conference - Save the date
Friday 13 March 2015. Cadogan Hall & Royal Court Theatre, London. A major event to introduce important new research, share learning and launch the next exciting stage of the Family Arts Campaign. Come together with colleagues from across the visual and performing arts sectors and beyond to explore family arts and their audiences. Join us for a day which will capture the key lessons from the Campaign to date, promote peer learning and start to plan the exciting next phase of the Family Arts Campaign. Early Bird offer ends 31st Jan: from £95+VAT. This is available to Family Arts Standards holding organisations, find out how to sign up here. Book now here.

Thrive: Continuing professional development (CPD) programme for creative practitioners
Delivered by experienced and knowledgeable facilitators, the sessions cover a wide range of topics tailored to meet the needs of creative practitioners. The Feburary to May programme also includes monthly portfolio review sessions. All sessions will take place at The National Centre for Craft & Design unless stated otherwise. Find out more www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

AMA Training and Resources
Founded in 1993, the AMA is a not-for-profit organisation with over 1,800 members, providing a community of knowledge for arts professionals passionate about bringing arts and audiences together.

• Data On Tour — online workshop. Data capture, management and use for touring organisations, online workshop, 20 Jan 2015. Capturing data for touring organisations is key to the success of their marketing strategies. With new guidelines from Arts Council England, this should now be easier for many touring companies. This session will therefore look at effective data capture, management and use and how you can apply this to your own organisation.
• Picture this — On location workshop. This session will refer to case studies of arts and cultural organisations already using visual platforms effectively, such as Instagram, Tumblr, Vine and Pinterest. You will get the chance to practice the skills you have learnt, using at least one of these platforms, in a practical group session later in the day. Coming soon to Birmingham on 29 January.

 

• Effective membership schemes — fundraising online workshop, 21 Jan 2015. Excellent membership schemes increase income for organisations, build relationships with key audiences members and provide scope for future development. This session will explore how best to review existing and set up new membership and friends schemes. During this session you will take a strategic look at your membership programme, be inspired by case studies of excellent schemes and consider how to increase the return on investment from your Friends.
• culture-pro Build your own professional development plan right now, for free, with the culture-pro self-assessment tool. By answering questions, culture-pro highlights your strengths, achievements and training needs, and automatically suggests free online resources to help you develop your skills and knowledge.

 

Find out more and become an AMA member: http://www.a-m-a.co.uk/

 

 

Training & Events from The Mighty Creatives

• Securing Income Training: An Introduction to Contract Readiness Monday 19th January 2015, 10am-2.20pm. Antenna, 9A Beck St, Nottingham, NG1 1EQ. Throughout the sector it's become apparent that to keep delivering services in the future, organisations would benefit from diversifying their income streams. It might be a change from how you operate now, but during this workshop you'll get familiar with the basics of bidding for contracts. This should get you thinking about how you might want to make use of the contracting opportunities in your area.
• Top Tips for Working in Schools Wednesday 21st January 2015, 10am- 12pm, Northampton Museum, 4-6 Guildhall Rd, Northampton, NN1 1DP. This seminar will highlight ideas for marketing approaches to schools, provide insight to support effective partnerships with teachers,and consider how to develop arts-based activity to support the wider curriculum. Delegates will be given the opportunity to discuss these starting points to explore how they can maximise their engagement with the education sector.

 

• Artsmark: An Overview for Artists Tuesday 3rd February 2015, 10am- 12pm. Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Artsmark is Arts Council England's flagship programme to enable schools to evaluate, strengthen and celebrate their arts and cultural provision. The framework also presents a vehicle to support the development of closer partnerships between education, arts practitioners and arts organisations. This seminar has been designed to enable artists and arts and cultural organisations to find out more about Artsmark, and in particular the role that the arts and cultural sector can play in helping schools achieve Artsmark status.
• From Collaboration to Consortium: Winning and Delivering Contracts. Monday 23rd February 2015, 10am- 2.30pm. Antenna, 9A Beck St, Nottingham, NG1 1EQ. From wanting to innovate, facing competition or contract opportunities requiring you to cover a larger geographic region, or deliver a service beyond the scope of your expertise, there are plenty of reasons for you to consider working in collaboration. This workshop's aim is to get you familiar with setting up collaborations from start to finish, with a particular focus on winning and delivering contracts.

 

 

For further information & training visit the Mighty Creatives website.

Training from Voluntary Action Leicestershire

• Good Governance Workshops 21 Jan 9.30 - 12.30, Free. Our quarterly good governance workshops give you the opportunity to network with other trustees and committee members, learn about key topics and attend short workshops on topics affecting the local voluntary and community sector (VCS).
• The Benefits of Social Media Workshop 27 Jan 9.30 - 2.00, Free. In a digital world, your group can use social media to raise funds, build support and create a movement for change. This workshop will help people with little experience using social media learn how to adopt social media tools. The session will be led by Paul Webster, Digital Skills Advisor and Community Connector.
• Setting up a Community Partnership Library 2 21 Jan 2015 - 6:30 - 9:00pm. Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Leicester, LE3 2PP, FREE. There are a variety of legal structures a community partnership library could adopt. Participants on this course will understand the different legal structures available, the pro's and con's of each structure, and understand the process for setting up a group.
• Collaboration Webinar 28 Jan 2015 - 11:00am - 12:00pm. Free. Organisations that collaborate, support and learn from one another are generally better equipped to weather economic uncertainty than those that work in isolation. This session will focus on the benefits and risks of collaborative working to help you get started.

 

For further information & training visit the Voluntary Action Leicestershire website. 

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust are striving to make a difference to the lives and careers of crafts people whilst maintaining the very highest standards in craftsmanship. They fund talented people, whether at entry level in to the industry via the QEST Apprenticeship Scheme, or when they are trying to reach a level of excellence further in to their career, via the QEST Scholar awards. Every single recipient of a scholarship, over the past twenty-four years, acknowledge that QEST provided the essential turning point in their careers. Applications are now open for the Spring 2015 round of funding. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 20th January 2015 at 2pm. Interviews, should your application be successful, will take place on the week commencing 13th April 2015. For more information visit the website.

Epic Awards
From singing to knitting, theatre to painting, across the UK and Republic of Ireland over 60,000 volunteer-led amateur groups provide regular opportunities for people to take part in local creative cultural activities – the Epic Awards celebrate their achievements. The Epic Awards are run by Voluntary Arts, the UK and Republic of Ireland organisation set up to promote participation in creative cultural activity, with support from the Spirit of 2012 Trust. Epic Awards partners, who provide mentoring, training and capacity building support for winning groups, include Making Music, People’s Voice Media, Arts Development UK, Sue Isherwood and Rosemary Curtis. Nominations for the 2015 Epic Awards will open on Monday 12 January and close at 5pm on Monday 16th March 2015. A Winners’ Reception will take place during Voluntary Arts Week, the annual celebration of creative cultural activity taking place from 15 to 24 May 2015. For more details on how to nominate your group, visit www.epicawards.co.uk.

DONATE - Mobile giving for arts & culture
The National Funding Scheme (NFS), a registered charity, operates a mobile giving platform called DONATE. The NFS provides this platform for free to the arts and heritage sector, thereby totally transforming the way that the public can give to cultural and heritage organisations. DONATE combines SMS texting, QR code and web apps into one simple platform meaning that people can give to the organisation of their choice through one recognised brand - it is a very, very easy way of donating. Given the fact that many local councils are no longer in a position to support the many heritage and cultural organisations within their areas, this may offer a solution to some of the funding difficulties that many organisations are facing. Since March of last year over £83,000 has been raised using the DONATE platform with nearly 3000 donations being made (60% of all donations are gift aided). Visit www.nationalfundingscheme.org to find out more.

BBC Children in Need Small Grants Programme
The next deadline for applications to the BBC Children in Need Small Grants programme is the 1st March 2014. Through the Small Grants programme, funding up to £10,000 is available for projects that combat disadvantage and improve children and young people's lives. Read more here. 

LCB Depot Business Development- Grow your creative business for free
TALK through your business problems with an expert, LEARN the skills you need to improve your business, MEET future customers and collaborators, and access hotdesk facilities- for FREE!*  Whether you’re a startup or an established business, based at LCB Depot, Makers Yard or Phoenix Square Workspaces or part of the wider creative community in Leicester find out how we've helped businesses like yours and get in touch at lcbdepot.co.uk/develop *Funded by ERDF. Conditions apply

City Health Care Partnership Foundation Small Grants Programme
The City Health Care Partnership Foundation has announced that the next deadline for its small grant programme is the 1st March 2015. The programme provides grants or donations of up to £1,000 to local voluntary and community organisations, schools and/or other not-for-profit organisations to carry out activities, projects or one-off events that contribute towards the health and wellbeing of people throughout the UK. To be eligible, groups and organisations needs to have been in existence for at least one year, have an annual income of less than £30K, and work for the benefit of the local community in which CHCP CIC operates. Read more here.

PRS For Music Funding Foundation
Funding for Organisations & Groups: the next deadline for applications is Monday 2 February 2015 (for projects happening from 1 May 2015). If you are a... band/ensemble/orchestra/collective/festival/promoter/charity/community interest company/company limited by guarantee/local authority...you are able to apply for funding through this scheme. To find out more and apply visit the website.

Women Make Music Grant Scheme
The Performing Right Society (PRS) has announced that its Women Make Music grant scheme is now open for applications. Through the programme, financial support of up to £5000 is available to women musicians to create new music in any genre. This can range from classical, jazz and experimental, to urban, electronica and pop. The next application deadline is the 27th April 2015. Read more here.

Awards for Young Musicians
If you are aged between five and seventeen you can apply;  we give awards of between £200 and £2,000, in total up to £100,000 per year; in 2014 we made Awards to 125 young musicians, some of whom we’ve been helping for several years, assisting with all the major costs of a young musician’s training, such as extra tuition, buying an instrument, travel and specialist courses. The deadline for 2015 applications will be Friday 13 March 2015. For more information and to apply visit the website.

Fidelio Charitable Trust
Fidelio welcomes applications for grants up to £5,000 in support of the Arts, in particular the dramatic and operatic arts, music, speech and dance. Institutions, colleges, Arts Festivals and other arts organisations in the United Kingdom, may seek financial support as follows: for individuals or groups of exceptional ability, whom they have been responsible for selecting, to enable them to: 1.to receive special tuition or coaching (e.g. in the case of musicians to attend Master Classes) 2.to participate in external competitions. 3.to be supported for a specially arranged performance. 4.to receive support for a special publication, musical composition or work of art. Applications from individuals or groups seeking support for themselves will not be accepted. See the website for more information.

Cultural Commissioning Toolkits
The Cultural Commissioning Programme has collated a range of resources on cultural commissioning for those wanting to engage in public service commissioning and for commissioners such as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, NHS and others wanting to work with arts and cultural providers. A range of toolkits are available on specific areas, find out more here.

Third Sector Loan Fund to offer unsecured loans
Charities and social enterprises are set to benefit from an innovative new £30 million fund launched today, which paves the way to attract game-changing levels of commercial finance to grow the sector. The Third Sector Loan Fund is pioneering a model designed to encourage banks and other mainstream institutions to invest in funds which finance charities and social enterprises. Santander has committed £13.5 million, believed to be the biggest single investment by a mainstream UK financial institution into a third party fund lending to social ventures. The fund enables financial institutions to invest on a commercial basis, which in turn makes more money available for charities and social enterprises to borrow, providing finance they need to grow, deliver better services and create jobs.
It is the UK’s largest fund investing in a wide range of charities and social enterprises across all social sectors, and will make loans of £250,000 to £3 million, both secured and unsecured. It is due to announce its first investments in the next few weeks. More information here.

Sky Academy Arts Scholarships
Sky Academy invites IdeasTap members to apply for one of five £30,000 Arts Scholarships. These life-changing bursaries, which include a programme of expert mentoring, allow each scholar to focus exclusively on their creative practice for an entire year. Get ready to give up that day job... The scholarships are open to artists aged 18-30 and are designed to help emerging talent from a range of disciplines to develop their work and take their careers to the next level. In addition to financial support, winners are paired with business and creative mentors from Sky and their industry to support them along the way. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 26 February 2015, but judges will be reviewing entries as they come in. Find out more and how to apply here.

Create: A journal of perspectives on the value of art and culture
Create is a new journal from Arts Council England that aims to stimulate discussion about the true value of art and culture to our society. Watch the interactive culture matters film online and join the discussion on Twitter by following @ace_national or using the hashtag #culturematters.

Funding to Develop Smarter Cities
Web entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMEs) have the opportunity to apply for funding to develop future internet applications to make cities smarter, more sustainable and more cohesive. The fund is open to both web entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses that wish to turn novel concepts (new apps and services) into a proven business proposition. The next closing date for both Round A and Round B applications is the 28th February 2015.
Find out more here.

Royal College of Music, Junior Fellowships - 2015/16 Academic Year
The Royal College of Music is a truly exciting place to launch your career in music. Every year, the RCM awards a range of Junior Fellowships to outstanding young musicians as they set out in the profession. A Junior Fellowship gives you the time and money to enhance your artistic skills and establish significant contacts as part of your professional development. Junior Fellows play a dual role, contributing to the RCM community whilst also pursuing their own vocational paths. This enables them to use the resources the RCM provides whilst also using it as a platform from which to enter the professional world. Applications are now invited for 2015/16 from outstanding keyboard players for Junior Fellowships in piano accompaniment and harpsichord/continuo – bursaries for these. Junior Fellowships are in the region of £9,000. For further details please see www.rcm.ac.uk/juniorfellowships. Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 30 January 2015.

Sir Thomas White Loan Charity
The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has been in existence since 1542 and was founded by one of the City’s most generous (but least well known) benefactors, Sir Thomas White. Although he never actually set foot in Leicester, Sir Thomas is honoured by being included as one of the four statues around the Clock Tower in the Leicester city centre. We are an Equal Opportunity organisation providing loans for new business ideas and young businesses needing investment. Eligible candidates may borrow up to £15,000 for business and up to £6,000 for education, to establish themselves in their chosen career. Loans are interest free for 9 years, repayable by equal instalments after 3 years. Find out more here.

Music Grants for Older People
The registered charity, Concertina which makes grants to charitable bodies which provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly has announced that the next deadline for applications is the 30th April 2015. The charity is particular keen to support smaller organisations which might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. Since its inception in 2004, Concertina has made grants to a wide range of charitable organisations nationwide in England and Wales. These include funds to many care homes for the elderly to provide musical entertainment for their residents. Read more here.

New India Cultural Exchange Fund
A new £1.5million lottery fund will be available in early 2015 to build creative connections between the people of England and India. The new funding will provide English artists and arts organisations with opportunities to develop collaborations and cultural exchanges with their Indian counterparts. The scheme will be run by British Council and the Arts Council England and will give grants of £15,000-£100,000 to support projects that:
Promote creative collaborations & Showcase the best of UK and Indian arts across a range of art forms and activities; etc. Applications open in January 2015 and there will be a second round of funding in 2016 with activity expected to peak during 2017 to mark the 70th anniversary of Indian independence.
Read more here.

Dock - Business Development
The Business Development Team are here to help your high tech, low carbon, or knowledge economy business be profitable and sustainable, whether you’re based at Dock or part of the wider community in Leicester. The Business Development Team currently offers: grants, one to one coaching & workshops. For more information visit the website.  

Are you looking for funding?
Fund My Venture specialise in securing grant funding for charitable and social organisations. We have raised over £1,400,000 so far working with over 50 organisations through grant bid writing, fundraising strategies, impact evaluation writing, social organisation formation and project development services. For more information visit www.fundmyventure.co.uk, or call: 0116 251 9899 or e-mail: info@fundmyventure.co.uk

ASDA Foundation Community Grants Programme
Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available for not-for-profit organisations to develop stronger better connected communities across the UK by targeting the key social issues that are affecting local communities. Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations to develop stronger better connected communities across the UK by targeting the key social issues that are affecting local communities. Find out more here.

Funding to Support Arts Projects
The Fidelio Trust offers grants of up to £5,000 in support of the Arts, in particular the dramatic and operatic arts, music, speech and dance. The Trustees aim to help individuals and groups such as Colleges, Arts Festivals and other arts organisations who would not be able to carry out a project or activity without financial support. The next closing date for applications is the 1st February 2015. Read more here.

Accelerator
Accelerator is IdeasTap's new commission-free crowdfunding platform. As an arts charity and funder, we've been helping creative people to get their ideas off the ground for years. Now we're offering our members a way to raise project funding themselves - without the commission fees other crowdfunding platforms charge. What's more, we're putting our money where our mouth is. Every month, we'll select up to two Accelerator projects and pledge £500 to help each of them reach their target. To find out more visit the website.