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

Head Of Communications - Curve Theatre
Curve is Leicester’s state of the art theatre situated in the heart of the City’s Cultural Quarter. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced manager to provide maternity cover for our  Head of Communications, to lead the successful development and delivery of Curve’s Communications strategy. As a senior member of the management team, you will provide strategic direction, proactive media relations and head the drive to promote key B2B, Consumer and Audience campaigns on a local and national level as well as raising the profile of the organisation itself. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience and a proven track record in developing marketing and promotional strategies, audience development and innovative campaign management. You will have significantexperience of dealing and handling local and national media and PR, alongside a demonstrable track record of strong people management and leadershipskills and budgeting/financial control. If you meet the above criteria and are passionate about the arts please visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk/about-us/careers/ for further information and to submit an application. Closing date for applications: 22 December 2014. First stage interviews: 7 January 2015

Box Office Assistant - Nottingham Playhouse
Nottingham Playhouse, one of the UKs leading producing theatres is looking to appoint  a full time (35 hours per week) Box Office Assistant to join its busy box office team. The ideal candidate will be confident engaging with customers, have some experience of working in a service environment  and be familiar with cash handling. They will be friendly and helpful in order to maximise ticket sales and provide the highest levels of customer service at all times. Closing date: 12noon Monday 22 December 2014. Interviews: Monday 5 January 2015. More information and application form can be found here.

Interaction Designer - BYG Systems Limited
This exciting role is an opportunity for an interaction designer to work with a range of big brand clients across multiple industry sectors, creating design for digital/mobile based solutions and bespoke software, as well as providing creative input into animation, video and motion graphics work. Acting as a brand ambassador, our Interaction Designers give appropriate direction, deconstructing complex requirements and defining appropriate solutions. The successful candidate will need to apply critical, observational, quantitative and analytical thinking to meet business and project needs. The role will also include support for the management of creative team, including helping to ensure the Design team has adequate levels of staff while sharing best practice. The applicant must have aspirations to move into a design management role. Contact: jobs@bygsystems.com Deadline: 24 December.

Art Worker - BYG Systems Limited
The role is an opportunity for young designers to take their first steps into a commercial design environment. Working with a range of big brand clients across industry sectors, our Art Workers are exposed to a variety of projects from day one, creating design solutions for digital/mobile based e-learning and marketing communications. We urge our team members to be open to trying new things, whether it is getting to grips with new programs or gaining a deeper understanding of the processes & techniques that we utilise – it’s a great way to become exposed to a variety of new tools, practices & processes. We have access to the full suite of applications within the Adobe Creative Cloud and use LightWave for 3D projects. We also provide on the job training, mentor support and give individuals responsibilities within their team to help our Art Workers continuously develop their skills and widen their commercial experience. Contact: jobs@bygsystems.com Deadline: 24 December.

Relationship Manager, Theatre, Birmingham Office - Arts Council England
We are looking for a proactive and well organised individual with relevant experience to join the Midlands team and be based in the Birmingham office. You will work with national and area colleagues and join 2 other Midlands based Theatre Relationship Managers who oversee a large and complex portfolio of organisations, programmes, projects and policy areas. You will manage a portfolio of NPOs and be able to measure performance against their business plans, their funding agreements with Arts Council England, and be able to understand their artistic work in order to identify their investment needs. You will also undertake assessments and appraisals for our funding schemes, contribute to matrix working and provide development support to a range of theatre companies and practitioners. The role requires a good understanding of organisational dynamics including business planning, financial reporting, performance management and governance. Knowledge of the Theatre sector is essential. Find out more here. Deadline: 28 December.

Project Manager - Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Hippodrome is the highest attended single theatre in the UK (around 500,000 visits per annum). Whilst it attracts a full cross-section of the community, reflecting the youthfulness and diversity of Birmingham, many audiences are unaware of its remarkable theatre story, beginning in 1899 as The Tower of Varieties and Circus and through re-invention and transformation becoming music hall, variety theatre, eclectic receiving house, and now an internationally renowned centre of theatre excellence. The heritage project, From Tower of Varieties to Premier Lyric Theatre, will promote and share this important story through accessible, stimulating and rich interpretation, presented via a QR code trail and touch table technology in locations available to audiences at every show. Over twelve months a team of committed volunteers and young people, led by the appointed Project Manager, will investigate the archives, collate material, develop interpretation and design content, with appropriate professional support. For more details and to apply click here. Deadline: 31 Dec.

Sessional Asian/Bollywood Dancer - Derby Open Centre
Derby Open Centre is looking for a sessional Bollywood and/or Asian dancer to lead dance workshops in schools, and with community groups. The applicant should have experience of working with children and in a school environement, be reliable, self-sufficient, flexible and have access to a car. Our workshops last 45 minutes and are paid at £40 per session which is inclusive of travel time and expenditure. Established in 1981, the Open Centre is a well respected organisation based in Derby in the East Midlands. We exist to promote understanding between different communities by celebrating and raising awareness of their faith and cultural heritage. We promote good community relations between British citizens, no matter what their background or belief. As part of our activities we work closely with many different communities, faith organisations and places of worship as well as representatives of secular organisations; however the Open Centre is not a religiously based organisation and has no affiliation to any specific faith based groups. If you are interested in working for us please send a CV and a briefing covering letter to david.gibb@derbyopencentre.org by 31 Dec. www.derbyopencentre.org

Producer (Performing Arts) - mac
Louisa Davies is leaving mac birmingham for the Royal Shakespeare Company after 10 very successful years in leading and shaping the nurturing, producing and performing programmes of this very busy arts centre and creative hub. We now wish to recruit a Performing Arts Producer, ideally on a full-time or substantial part-time basis, to develop, curate and manage our Performing Arts productions, partnership projects, relationships and programmes and contribute to planned strategic developments, including Outreach activities. As a producer you should have a consultative approach with the ability to build trust and rapport and to deliver in a consistent and timely fashion on a range of simultaneous projects. You will have direct hands-on programming and project delivery responsibilities and be prepared to bring your experience and expertise to mac, contributing new ideas, providing direction and encouraging strategic growth in all areas of your work. We are open to different approaches to fulfilling this role and often work with partner organisations and producers / programmers in delivering our artistic developments. To check if you have the skills we require, visit our website download the application form, recruitment pack and supplementary information pack. Closing date for applications is 17:00 Monday 5 January 2015.

Fesitval Curator - International Festival of Glass
The International Festival of Glass is a biennial festival that takes place in Stourbridge, West Midlands and is a premier glass event attracting worldwide participants with the aim of supporting regeneration and community renewal based upon a distinctive programme of creativity and heritage. We are looking for a Festival Curator with the ability to support the creation of a vibrant festival celebrating the drama and excitement of glassmaking with an atmosphere of inspiration, social inclusion and lively cultural exchange. This role would be for a period of 60 days at a pay rate of £150 per day. If you are interested in this role at this prestigious event please contact Sharon Harris, Head of Human Resources and Operations on 01384 399448 or alternatively via email sharon.harris@ghc.rmt.org. Closing date for expressions of interest 31st December 2014.

Arts Programme Volunteer Opportunity - Malt Cross
The Malt Cross is currently looking for volunteers to join our Gallery & Arts team to help deliver a brand new programme of events, exhibitions and workshops. Its a great way to get experience in the arts sector and become involved in an exciting Heritage Lottery funded project. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn valuable skills and the breadth of the Malt Cross’ creative programme means that, whatever your interests, there is something for everyone. There are opportunities to get involved with the following areas Workshops Programme/Exhibitions/Community Outreach/Events/Marketing and Social Media. The Malt Cross is a Grade II listed Victorian music hall in Nottingham city centre. It is a charity that runs a successful community outreach project as well as operating a cafe bar in the main music hall and arts programme in the new Heritage Lottery funded Heritage, Arts & Education Hub. You don’t need any qualifications or special skills to get involved. We’relooking for people who have a keen interest in our project with bags of enthusiasm to get stuck in! If you would be interested in volunteering with the Arts Team then send an email to becky@maltcross.com, we’ll send you an application form and further details and then invite you in for a chat and a brew. Deadline: 31 Dec.

Arts Council England - Artistic and Quality Assessors
We are looking for experienced cultural professionals to work with the Arts Council to contribute towards the assessment of arts organisations and museums. We will be asking you to undertake assessments of the work of Arts Council funded organisations across England. Artistic and Quality Assessments provide a fair, robust and transparent platform for discussions about the quality of work produced by organisations that the Arts Council regularly funds, helping the Arts Council develop a broader evidence base to inform funding decisions and for reporting on the extent to which we are meeting our stated Goal 1: Excellence is thriving and celebrated in the arts, museums and libraries contained within our strategy ‘Achieving Great Arts and Culture for Everyone’. Click here for more information and to apply. Deadline: 12pm Friday 2 January 2015.

Head of Marketing - Barbican
The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts and conference venue presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning events. It is also home to the London Symphony Orchestra. The Barbican is now seeking exceptional candidates for the role of Head of Marketing. This is a critical appointment within the organisation, the guardian of the brand, sitting on the management team and working within the Audiences and Development Division. The Marketing Department supports the entire organisation through its services and communications channels. The post-holder will lead the overall marketing strategy for the Barbican Centre, across all of the arts, learning programmes and all commercial activities. For more information click here. Deadline: 7 January 2015.

Events Manager - Curve Theatre
Providing strategic and operational leadership for the Events provision at Curve, the Events Manager will be a committed champion of high quality and provide vision, leadership and direction achieving client satisfaction and financial objectives in order to make Curve the first choice in events and conferencing in the midlands. Developing the provision, the Events Manager must provide innovative sales, marketing and operational strategies that ensure success in these areas. The role is core to managing a team whose purpose is in interpreting and realising clients’ visions, ensuring events are delivered to market leading standards, on-time and within agreed budgets. The role is critical to enhancing the venues asset utilisation plans and working with other departments on balancing the organisational demands on space. As a budget holder the role is responsible for the full P&L for the department. Offering exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders, setting Curve out as a ‘landmark’ event and conferencing destination. To find out more visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk/about-us/careers/ for further details and to submit an application. Closing date: 2 January 2015. First stage Interviews: w/c 12 January 2015

Corporate Development Manager - Curve Theatre
Curve theatre, voted the best Large Visitor Attraction in Leicestershire has a fantastic opportunity for a Corporate Development Manager to join its Business Development Team. The post holderwill be responsible for generating new, high value sponsorships and long-term partnerships. You will deliver, extend, renew and evolve existing relationships contribute to and implement the corporate development strategy. The successful candidate will have at least 3 years’ experience of managing high value accounts or relationships in either a commercial or corporate fundraising environment. You will possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, will be a confident communicator with people at all levels whilst being knowledgeable and skilled in B2B marketing. Due to the nature of the position you will have a flexible approach to working hours. To find out more about the role please visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk/about-us/careers/ for further details and to submit an application. Closing date: Friday 2 January 2015. First stage interviews: w/c 12 January 2015.

Events and Conferencing Marketing Executive - Curve Theatre
We have a new exciting opportunity for an experienced Events and Conferencing Marketing Executive to join our Events department at Curve. In this role you will research seasonal and industry influences, both regionally and nationally to enable you to provide current and timely market information to the Events team to enable proactive sales opportunities. You will work closely with the Events Manager in developing a structured and results based Events and Conferencing Marketing and Sales Strategy in line with the organisations mission, vision and values. You will manage all media and PR across print, broadcast, online, digital and social media for the events and conferencing team with the oversight of the Head of Communications and assistance from Curve’s communications and PR department. The successful candidate will have excellent problem solving skills, able to act on own initiative with diplomacy and sensitivity along with a flexible approach to working hours. You will a minimum of 3 years’ experience in events and conference marketing, ideally corporate/commercial in a B2B environment. If you meet the above criteria and would like to find out more about the role please visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk/about-us/careers/ for further details and to submit an application. Closing date for applications: Friday 2 January 2015. First stage interviews: w/c 12 January 2015.

Principal of the Birmingham Conservatoire - Birmingham City University
The Birmingham Conservatoire is one of nine UK conservatoires. It has distinguished partners including the CBSO, Ex Cathedra and the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and an international profile for performance and research (40% 4* rated in RAE2008). In 2017 the Conservatoire moves to a new building designed by award winning FCB Studios, adjoining Birmingham City University’s stunning Eastside media facilities and Birmingham School of Acting, a top ten Drama UK-accredited School with which the Conservatoire is to be merged. The current Principal of the Conservatoire, Professor David Saint, retires in 2015. We seek a visionary leader with the authority and energy to inspire colleagues, students and external partners in creating the first new conservatoire of the twenty-first century. For details of how to apply please visit http://jobs.bcu.ac.uk. Closing date: 15 January 2015.

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.

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.

Lightbox Studios at LCB Depot
Leicester’s newest home for events and engagement, connecting campaigns, shows, exhibitions and receptions is now open. The studios can be hired with an on-site professional venue team and feature a 3m wide screen projector, as well as lighting and sound systems. Hosted by LCB-based communications agency Holland Alexander. Lightbox Studios are available for hire from 8am through to 11pm every day. For more info, or to get the Lightbox venue hire ebook, contact the venue team at: Lightbox@hollandalexander.com

My Workshop
My Workshop is a project set up to support inventive minds in and around Leicester by providing low-cost access to a range of large scale equipment in a creative studio environment. The 2150 SQF of equipment and working space goodness offers access to all of the machines, use of the studio for your work, WiFi Access, discounts on machine rates, events and workshops, training and peer to peer learning and opportunities to develop collaborative projects. For £35/month members have access to: band saw, table saw, pillar drill, router, scroll saw, domestic sawing machines, a range of hand tools and power tool and great big workbenches. To sign up go to www.foxandcompany.co.uk or simply visit us, we are only 20 minutes walk from city centre. Our address is Unit 40FF, Evelyn Drive, Leicester, LE3 2BU, doors opening on Monday 15 September, on site parking is available. We hope to see you soon!

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.

• Ashby de la Zouch Library, 13 Jan, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available

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

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) This brief closes at 5pm on Monday 19 January 2015 and is open to IdeasTap members aged 16 and over. 

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.

Leicester Lo-Fi Photography
We're a group of Leicester based photographers that embrace the traditional aspects of photography by using old film cameras, toy cameras, pin holes, alternative processes and darkroom printing. We have regular meetings every month where we swap ideas, take pictures, make prints, set projects and hold exhibitions. We also run a community based darkroom just outside the city centre. Fitted with 6 enlargers, capable of printing black and white negatives in a range of formats, 35mm, medium format (all ratios) and 5 x 4. Workshops and short courses in traditional and alternative processes run throughout the year. Find out more here. 

Cultivate: Training for Film Producers
We are offering 20 filmmakers the opportunity to benefit from an intensive one-day training session covering funding, script development and production management for your project. The day will consist of presentations, informal Q&A sessions, and at the end of the day, participants will receive a production pack containing valuable template documents and guidance from experienced film industry professionals. After the training day, brief winners will be offered the opportunity to apply for one-to-one mentoring sessions. Roughly six projects will receive a one-to-one targeted guidance session with Gerry Maguire of Pins & Needles Media and Beki Henderson, freelance production manager. The judges are looking for someone who has a strong script or developed idea and needs guidance on producing their project. This could be due to difficult subject matter, challenging productions, or just lack of general experience or confidence. This brief closes on Monday 22 December 2014 at 5pm BST and is open to all IdeasTap members aged 16 and over.

Courses & Workshops at Phoenix

• Talking Pictures (Winter) Tuesdays, 6 Jan – 10 Mar, 10.30am, £80/£70 Conc. 10 weekly tutor-lead group discussions. Share your love of film at Phoenix with a course designed to provide the fullest possible cinema-going experience, including weekly admittance to the Phoenix matinee screening, a cup of tea or filter coffee and – best of all – a tutor-led discussion among fellow motion picture lovers about the film of the week, current film news, controversies, obituaries and everything in between.
• Primary Teacher CPD Monday 2 Feb, 10.00, Free. In partnership with MovIES and Into Film, Phoenix is excited to be delivering free film education CPD for primary school teachers. 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 film making into your daily lessons, improving engagement and enhancing skills across literacy, science, history and geography.

 

• The Art of Screenwriting: A Practical Guide Tuesdays, 10 Feb – 31 Mar, 7pm, from £80. 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. Using a combination of digital presentation, lecture and short film, writers of all levels of experience will be encouraged to develop, pitch and refine a short film script, while developing both their craft and industry knowledge.
• Secondary Teacher CPD Thursday 12 Feb, 12:00, Free. In partnership with MovIES and Into Film, Phoenix is excited to be delivering free film education CPD for secondary school teachers. 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.
   

 

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.

• Ashby de la Zouch Library, 13 Jan, 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.

Ridges + Furrows Artist Residencies
The NK Arts Partnership (artsNK, Design Factory, Design-Nation, the National Centre for Craft & Design and the Terry O'Toole Theatre) are inviting artists and companies who work in ANY art form to apply for a series of new artist-led residencies in May / June 2015, in four locations across the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. Each residency has a budget of £5,000 including all fees and costs. The Ridges + Furrows initiative will draw on and celebrate the history and heritage of North Hykeham, Waddington, Welbourn and Sleaford. The appointed artists / companies will explore and express the local history, communities and landscape; deliver workshops / performances / installations / exhibitions with residents, local groups and schools and then present the ideas and outcomes at a public ‘sharing’ event in each location. Applicants can download the brief, application form and other supporting documents here. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 16th January 2015. 

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.

Leicester Sketch Club need your help!
The Leicester Sketch Club is searching for a venue within the centre of Leicester to hold their annual art exhibition of paintings in 2015. If anyone could recommend a suitable venue, we would be very grateful if you could let us know by contacting Emma Fitzpatrick at enquiries@leicestersketchclub.co.uk. We have our own stands on which to hang our work but happy to display onto existing white walls if available. We require a space approximately 10m x 10m or to accommodate around 130 paintings. It needs to be within  Leicester’s town centre, physically accessible, have some natural lighting and/or track lighting and ‘reasonably’ priced for hiring for one to two weeks. We look forward to hearing from you with any suggestions to our enquiry.

Calling all potters & ceramicists
The makers of “The Great British Bake Off” are on the hunt for a new kind of talent… Do you live and breathe pottery? Fancy your chances in a nationwide talent search? We’re scouring the country for experienced amateurs to early career potters who want to share their passion with the nation! In this brand new talent search for BBC2 your entire repertoire of skills will be put the test! So if you think you've got what it takes we would LOVE to hear from you! Contact us now by: E-mail: pottery@loveproductions.co.uk Post: Pottery Team, Love Productions, 43 Eagle Street, London WC1R 4AT, Tel: 020 7067 4829. Applications close midnight Sunday 4th January 2015.

Digital Fabrication Residency: The Digital Craft of Making
The Digital Fabrication Residency is an online skill-building intensive incubator for visual artists and designers with the desire to learn digital fabrication workflows such as 3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting, digital embroidery, textile printing and other CNC related workflows. The programing consists of individual consultations, group workshops, open work times and guest speaker talks with residents. This innovative program enables artists at all levels in their career to explore technology that is changing ideas in the production of art and in the craft of making. Applications are submitted by completing our online application form, available session dates are updated regularly on the Apply form. Please see the Apply form for residency fee information.

International Postcard Show 2015 - Call for Submissions
Surface Gallery invites artists from across the globe to take part in our Annual and much-loved International Postcard Exhibition, in January 2015. The postcard show is a unique exhibition which invites anyone, anywhere to easily and affordably exhibit their art - we exhibit every piece entered, combining the original work of local, national, international entrants and established artists in a diverse month long exhibition. We are now taking original artwork submissions of any medium, style and ability - but they must fit the specified postcard size of 4 x 6 inches! Thats the beauty of this exhibition! We also give you the chance to put your piece(s) up for sale during the exhibition, each priced at a set £15. Surface Gallery will take 20% commission on any artwork sold. Depending on whether your piece(s) are sold or not, participants have the opportunity to take part in an International Postcard Exchange, where you can opt to have your postcard exchanged at random at the end of the exhibition, to receive a limited edition postcard from a fellow entrant. For more information on the exhibition and how to submit your work, visit our website. Submissions Deadline 10th January 2015. Exhibition Opens 16th January - 14th February 2015.

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.

On Repeat :: An exhibition by Ornamentum
Exhibition at Snibston community gallery 2nd-24th December 2014. Ornamentum are a group of eight Leicestershire-based professional makers working in jewellery, textiles, paper and ceramics. The exhibition is the culmination of a 12-month collaboration project following a theme of pattern and repeat. The eight members have been working in pairs to create new work for this show. On Repeat is part of a larger project funded by Arts Council England, including 12 months of professional mentoring. www.ornamentum.org.uk

Christmas Special Market at Cotesbach Educational Trust
Saturday 20th December 11 – 4pm. Come along for what is set to be a great event with lots happening, including decoration making, mince pies and last minute treats. Then Christmas in the Yard from 4pm – come dressed as a Christmas character from the Christmas Story. http://cotesbachschoolhouse.org.uk

Art & Craft Courses at Embrace Arts

• Problem and criticism Thursdays, 8 January – 19 March (fortnightly), 11am – 12.30pm, from £25. oin with other artists to develop your critical skills and become more confident in your ability to develop your own style. These friendly, supportive classes are devoted entirely to discussion and criticism of work created at home using your own materials. The six sessions are based around a focus and specific.
• Explore, Create, Connect: Nineteen degrees presents Wednesdays, 21 January – 11 February, 6pm – 8pm, £5. Tutor: Nineteen degrees guest tutors. These drop-in workshops are aimed at anyone interested in learning a new art form in two hours. For each workshop you will take home a creation as taught by artists specialist in their field.
•  
• 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.

 

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 these 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.

• Ashby de la Zouch Library, 13 Jan, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available.

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

Writers - Exciting new writing event
Blaggards is the premiere new theatre writing night in London by KLiC partners Fractured Lines: Blaggards presents a lively collection of short plays from selected emerging, up and coming writers in this fast paced, cabaret style night. For this special Leicester version there will be four local actors taking on four plays by four different writers. Writers: get in touch to submit your scripts, we are looking for unproduced scripts no longer than 25 minutes that are for a maximum cast of 4. These should ideally consist of 2 male and 2 female roles. Your submission can be a new idea you would like to try out or maybe an existing script that we could produce a section of for this event. On this occasion we are looking for scripts that are more comical or have elements of humour. The deadline is 23rd December and the chosen scripts will be given to actors in the new year to rehearse for an 8th February performance in Leicester. There are also dates in London during February when these plays will be produced again as part of Blaggards. Get in touch via hello@fracturedlines.com to register your interest, putting "BLAGGARDS" in the subject line.

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.

Writer in Residence wanted for Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Derbys
The Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society (BHESS) is working towards submitting a Round 2 Bid for Heritage Lottery Funding for ‘Moving Forward – developing a new audience for Barrow Hill Roundhouse’. Barrow Hill Roundhouse is a unique 19th Century Grade II Listed Building and the only surviving operational railway Roundhouse in Britain. As part of the development phase of the project, BHESS would like to commission a creative team of consultants to deliver a Writer in Residence project to actively engage local people with the developments at the Roundhouse. The project would also include commissioning a full-length community play; developing taster workshops for local people in acting, design, music and video and working with young people to develop interpretive character monologues to perform in the Roundhouse. Deadline for return of quotations: 12th January 2015. Find out more here.

Long Play Competition - New Perspectives Theatre Company
A competition for writers who are from or based in the East Midlands. If you have a distinctive voice, an unexpected story and or an adaptation that will make us look at theatre afresh this open full-length play writing competition is for you. We are interested in receiving both original ideas and adaptations* The winning playwright will receive: A public reading of the play, up to 6 months dramaturgical support from New Perspectives and £1,500 on decision to produce the play. Entries will be read anonymously and judged by a panel comprising of New Perspectives staff and industry professionals. For more details please see our website. The deadline for submissions is Friday 9 January 2015 at 5pm.

Voice Your Vote – The Writers’ Conference 2015
Following the success of last year’s event, Writing East Midlands brings The Writers’ Conference back to The University of Nottingham on Saturday 28 March 2015. Writing East Midlands is giving you the opportunity to vote for panels, workshops and topical discussions that you would like to see in the 2015 conference programme. A selection of activities has been chosen for the poll. Those rated the highest by the East Midlands’ writing community will be chosen to make up a portion of the programme. Your opinion is important to us. Voice Your Vote today and make The Writers’ Conference, Your Writers’ Conference.
The poll closes on Sunday 4 January 2015.

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.

Ted Hughes Award
Time is almost up to get your recommendations in for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry. If you’ve seen something amazing in poetry this year, whether on screen, stage, in a soundscape, an exhibition – or anything in between – then make sure you recommend it. The winning poet(s) wins £5000 and join a stellar line up of previous winners including Maggie Sawkins, Kate Tempest, Kaite O’Reilly, Lavinia Greenlaw and Alice Oswald. So if you have a piece of work you’d like to be considered by this year’s judges – Julia Copus, Kei Miller and Grayson Perry – then make sure you get your recommendation in by the deadline! This can be done online by emailing your recommendation by 7 January to tedhughesaward@poetrysociety.org.uk or by post to The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9BX. We look forward to your recommendations.

Writing East Midlands - Young Writers’ Groups
Our Young Writers’ Groups give young East Midlands’ writers opportunities to develop their creative skills by working with established writers in a supportive and encouraging environment. Young Writers’ Groups are creative writing groups for children and young people between 8-19 years old, who are interested in any kind of writing. Each group is led by a professional writer working with an assistant and is focussed on creative writing rather than on spelling or punctuation. The group provides you with the opportunity to share and develop your writing in friendly and supportive place. In a session, you will get to explore a range of creative writing, from poetry to play writing, from lyrics to stories, from fairy tales to flash fiction, and along the way you’ll develop new skills, and meet other young writers. You will also get the chance to perform or exhibit your work at festivals and events such as the East Midlands’ spoken word event The Lyric Lounge. Find out where your nearest group is here.

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

• Ashby de la Zouch Library, 13 Jan, LE65 1HU. One hour slots available.

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

Performers - Exciting new writing event
Blaggards is the premiere new theatre writing night in London by KLiC partners Fractured Lines: Blaggards presents a lively collection of short plays from selected emerging, up and coming writers in this fast paced, cabaret style night. For this special Leicester version there will be four local actors taking on four plays by four different writers. The actors will work independently learning their lines with notes being sent via email by their director. They will have one day of rehearsal. These four actors also have the opportunity to perform the same plays at Blaggards the on 9th February in London. Actors - get in touch to say you want in!  The deadline is 23rd December and the chosen scripts will be given to actors in the new year to rehearse for an 8th February performance in Leicester. There are also dates in London during February when these plays will be produced again as part of Blaggards. Get in touch via hello@fracturedlines.com to register your interest, putting "BLAGGARDS" in the subject line.

British Centre for Music and Enterprise
A new academy called The British Centre for Music and Enterprise in Leicester is training their students in the essential and diverse skills needed to not only survive but thrive in this fast evolving industry. Students at The BCME are taught to think outside the box, develop sound business plans, work effectively with new technology and approach projects in a bold and confident way. Whether you’re a drummer, guitarist, bassist, singer or aspiring entrepreneur that dreams of working in music The British Centre for Music and Enterprise is the place for you. The BCME is currently accepting applications for its 6 month Music Business course, which runs again in January 2015, with up to 100% of the course fees funded via their bursary scheme. For more information email yourfuture@thebcme.com or call 0116 253 5657. www.thebcme.com

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.

Healthy Dance Practice Certification
Mon 16th February 2015 - Thu 19th February 2015. £350 (includes mentor, course and assessment fees. This cost does not include accommodation) Leicester College, Performing Arts Department, Abby Park Campus, Painter Street, Leicester, LE1 3WA. The Healthy Dance Practice Certification evidences knowledge in key areas of safe dance practice that are essential for dancers, dance teachers and practitioners working in any style or genre and with dancers of any age or ability level. This new certification, referencing up to date research, has been developed and written by members of The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) to enhance knowledge of healthy dance practice internationally. Completion of the certification offers 60 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) endorsed by Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET). Find out more and book here.

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.

11 Million Reasons Project - People Dancing
There are 11 million people in the UK with a disability - Family Resources Survey 2011/12. We are looking to our friends and supporters to help us with our first crowd funding campaign help us create 11 Million Reasons, a photographic exhibition that aims to change and challenge perceptions around Deaf and disabled people dancing. We like to focus on what people CAN do, rather than what they can't. To achieve this we've commissioned disabled photographer Sean Goldthorpe to photograph Deaf and disabled dancers, such as Kate Marsh, Welly O’Brien and Tom St Louis, recreating iconic dance moments in film. Your support will help us to create a fun, fantastic and opinion changing exhibition with the potential to tour the country, and to say thank you, we're offering a range of perks to those who support it. Louise Wildish, People Dancing's Producer for Dance, Deaf and Disabled People, and Sean Goldthorpe have created a short video explaining more about the project which you can view here.

Performing Arts & Music Courses/Events at Embrace Arts

• Singing for fun Mondays, 12 January – 30 March (Not 16 February), 1.30pm – 3.30pm, £75 / £38 for 11 sessions. Enjoy being part of a friendly group where the emphasis is on having fun – a healthy tonic for budding vocalists. Ideal for all ages, whether you already love to sing or want to find your voice. Explore a repertoire of songs in a wide variety of styles and traditions, including musicals, popular classics, folk songs, part songs and comedy items.
• Jazz performance Mondays, 12 January – 16 March, 7.15pm – 9.15pm, £70 / £35. Gain confidence in your ability to improvise and develop your performance skills through a better understanding of scales, modes and chords. For anyone with an interest in jazz and reasonable proficiency on a musical instrument. To take full part in all aspects of the course you will need to read music or chord symbols, but those who play by ear are also welcome.
• Storytelling with Kathak dance Fridays, 16 January – 13 February, 6.30pm – 8pm, £40 / £25 for 5 sessions. Express a story through mime, facial expressions and hand gestures, while creating rhythm with your feet and body movement with this traditional Indian classical dance style. Learn to improvise in a fun way and have the freedom to express your creativity.
• 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.

 

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.

 

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
The monthly meet up sees an average of 6-10 writers from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds come together. It is a friendly group and everybody is always made to feel welcome. Sign up to our next event by visiting our Facebook event page  where there is also a brief report about each meet up. 2014 dates: EVENING MEET UP 1st WEDNESDAY in: Dec 6pm at The Exchange

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

Granted: How to get your work shown, a-n The Artists Information Company
Friday 16 January 2015 at 10am - 4pm, Nottingham. This session considers the roles of curator, gallerist and commissioner as well as other key players in the art world. The seminar identifies strategies and tools for approaching galleries and curators and provides the background to setting up your own exhibitions, from pop-ups in empty shops to longer-term projects. £20 for a-n members or members of Creative Greenhouse, £30 for non-members. This event is aimed at visual artists and particularly useful for early career practitioners. To book a place please follow this link.

Creative & Cultural Skills Awards 2015
Nominations for the Creative & Cultural Skills Awards are now open. Celebrate exemplary individuals, organisations, apprentices and interns in the creative and cultural industries.
The Creative & Cultural Skills Awards recognise those who have demonstrated a commitment to passing on skills and improving routes into work for young people. Deadline for all nominations is 5pm on the 9 January 2015. For more information and an application pack, please visit the Creative & Cultural Skills website. 

Free business workshops - Blaby District
Book your free place on business training workshops to boost local firms. Local firms in Blaby District are invited to sign up and benefit from free business training workshops funded by the Council to help to boost local enterprises. Found out more here.

Idea Coach: Personal and Business Development Coaching in Leicestershire
As the year comes to a close, it is natural to experience moments of reflection on how well the last twelve months have gone. Regularly taking a step back to assess your circumstances can be an incredibly rewarding gift. You will give yourself the opportunity to refine your goals or set new ones, understand your true priorities, and gain clarity and focus about your purpose and direction. If you would like to understand if coaching can help you or your business, please contact Prashant at coach@ideacloud.solutions

Superfast Leicestershire
Superfast Leicestershire is an £18.6m project funded by Leicestershire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund. The project will bring high-speed fibre broadband to 96% of homes and businesses in Leicestershire by March 2015. To help Leicestershire based SMEs make the most of high-speed fibre broadband, a series of free 2 hour workshops and full day events are being held across Leicestershire. The Superfast Leicestershire Business Support Programme will be managed by the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Superfast Leicestershire EBusiness Club visit the website.

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 events and services
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.

• 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.
• CultureHive Engage with CultureHive’s extensive collection of free online resources and share good-practice with your peers across the sector.

 

Find out more: 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. Perhaps a majority of the work you do is on the basis of grants, but increasingly these kinds of delivery programmes are tendered out as contracts instead. 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.Book your ticket by 5 January and pay only £35. After this deadline tickets will cost £125.
• 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.

 

For further information & training visit the Mighty Creatives website.

 

 

Training from Voluntary Action Leicestershire

• Award in Education and Training in Six Days (formerly PTLLS) 7 Jan - 11 Feb 2015, £350. This course is the first step towards a professional qualification in post-16 teaching. Whether you are new to the teaching profession or an experienced facilitator wishing to get a formal qualification this course aims to develop your skills and knowledge.
• Think Leicestershire Coach Training 16 Jan 9.30 - 5, Free. This 1 day session is aimed at anyone who wants to learn how to use the world renowned Go MAD Thinking Framework to solve problems, generate creative solutions and think differently about how to make a difference. This session has been developed around the needs of individuals, groups, charities and social businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Attending is free if you live or work in 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.

 

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

Culture2015 Fund - Leicester City Council
Leicester City Council’s Culture 2015 programme supports its partners to develop, coordinate and promote new cultural activities associated with high profile events in Leicester up to December 2015. Culture 2015 includes a fund to help local organisations deliver arts activities to support key cultural programmes in 2015. These activities will engage local communities, and showcase Leicester’s rich and varied arts provision to residents and visitors alike.  Funding is available to support organisation to deliver activity to enhance and engage with City Festival, Rugby World Cup and Diwali during 2015. Deadline for all applications is 5 January 2015, further information here.

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust - Announcement of Spring 2015 Intake
Covering a wide range of modern and traditional crafts, the Queen Elizabeth Scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £18,000, with the average grant being £7,000. The scholarships can be used to fund further study, training and practical experience for the improvement of craft and trade skills. Eligible applicants are craftsmen and craftswomen of all ages who live and work permanently in the UK. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they already have a high level of skill and are firmly committed to their craft or trade. Previous scholarship winners have included antiques restorers, calligraphers, book conservators, potters, silversmiths and upholsterers. Applications for the spring 2015 funding round are now open with a deadline for submission of 2pm on 20 January 2015. http://www.qest.org.uk/

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.

Midlands3Cities Doctoral Training Partnership
Midlands3Cities Doctoral Training Partnership is an AHRC-funded collaboration between the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, De Montfort University and University of Leicester. The DTP provides research students with expert supervision, cross-institutional mentoring, subject-specific and generic training and professional support in preparing for a future career. Midland3Cities DTP is in the second of five years, awarding 87 PhD studentships in the Arts and Humanities for UK/EU applicants for September 2015 entry. Together we are setting a new benchmark for excellence in research training and support, providing you with the key skills, language and aptitude necessary to deploy your knowledge purposefully in your chosen career. Applicants must have applied for a place to study, identified supervisors and provided details of two academic references as part of the application procedure. For full details of eligibility, funding and research supervision areas, please visit www.midlands3cities.ac.uk or contact enquiries@midlands3cities.ac.uk. Closing date: midnight on Wednesday 14 January 2015.

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.

Arts Council England Strategic Touring Programme
The next closing date for grant applications to the Arts Council, England Strategic Touring Programme is the 9th January 2015. The £45 million Strategic touring programme provides in excess of £15,000 for projects that encourage collaboration between organisations, so more people across England experience and are inspired by the arts, particularly in places which rely on touring for much of their arts provision. Read more here.

Rutland Film Company release “Beankeeper” software for use by others.
East Midlands commercials production company Origami Films is making the software they built to manage their own company available to others for the first time. Developed and qualified with Filemaker pro, Apple’s database division, “Beankeeper” controls both the “doing” and the “accounting” parts of a business via a set of easy to follow screens and reports. It runs on both Macs and PCs and has pdf manual, You Tube tutorials and one-to-one Skype support for new users. For more information go to www.beankeeper.biz

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.  

Business Development- grow your creative business for free*
LCB Depot Business Development- grow your creative business for free* 1-2-1 support: Talk through your business problems with an expert. Workshops: Learn the skills you need to make your business better. Networking: Meet future customers and collaborators. Hotdesking: 6 months free for startups. Resources database: Tips, interesting articles and business tools for every aspect of your business. Find out how we've helped businesses like yours and get in touch at  lcbdepot.co.uk/develop *Funded by ERDF. Conditions apply

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

Climate Change - What's Your Plan?
Climate Change What’s Your Plan is a free environmental survey offered to any organisation within Leicestershire. The aim of the survey is to help organisations improve their energy efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint and ultimately save money on energy bills. Find out more here. ‘Carbon Management for Leicester SMEs’ is also offering local SMEs in Leicester City up to a £1000 grant, for energy efficiency improvements. For more information, visit the website.

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.

AMA - New fundraising programme
Are you a fundraiser or have elements of fundraising within your role? AMA have got a series of online workshops coming up. Supported by the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Programme, these take place from October to February. Topics will include: Individual giving plans, Effective membership schemes and Individual giving for small organisations. Find out more and sign up for regular updates at here.

Radcliffe Trust grants for classical music
Deadline: 31 January 2015. The Radcliffe Trust supports classical music performance and training – in particular chamber music, composition and music education. Within music education, they are especially interested in music for children and adults with special needs, youth orchestras and projects at secondary and higher levels, including academic research. Applicants must be a registered charity or an exempt charity. Previous grant recipients include the National Autistic Society which received £2,000 for a music room in Glasgow and Birmingham Children’s Hospital which received £2,500 for a ‘Singing medicine’. Read more at: www.theradcliffetrust.org

Grants to Help New, Innovative Visual Arts Projects
The Elephant Trust has announced that the next deadline for applications is the 12th January 2015. The Trust offers grants to artists and for new, innovative visual arts projects based in the UK. The Trust's aim is to make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when confronted by lack of funds. The Trust supports projects that develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the fine arts. Priority is now being given to artists and small organisations and galleries who should submit well argued, imaginative proposals for making or producing new work or exhibitions. Arts Festivals are not supported. The Trust normally awards grants of up to £2,000, but larger grants may be considered. Read 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.

Funding for Digital Projects with a Social Impact
The Nominet Trust which provides funding and support to imaginative social technology ventures has announced that the next funding round of its Social Tech Seed Investment Programme will open for applications on the 22nd September 2014. Social Tech Seed is an investment programme that offers early-stage investment of between £15,000 and £50,000 to entrepreneurs who are looking to develop new ventures using digital for social impact. This programme provides funding and support to help entrepreneurs nurture, develop and test their ideas. The Trust is looking for applications that demonstrate the potential of technology to tackle some of the big social issues in sectors including education, employability, healthcare and the environment. Find out 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.