Help us help you! - Membership survey
We will shortly be issuing a survey to our whole membership, across our three main directories and to our general mailing list. This will be one of the most in depth consultations we have carried out, and would greatly appreciate your participation, whether you are a student, freelancer, small or large organisation. It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and the results will help us to:

Continue to improve the services we offer
Better understand your point of view
Advocate for the wider sector
Identify new opportunities for the future

So keep an eye on your emails, we look forward to hearing your feedback and sharing the findings with you. And one lucky respondent (living in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland) will walk away with a £100 Made in Leicestershire voucher!

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

Executive Assistant, Curve Theatre
This role provides essential administrative support to the Curve Chief Executive and key members of the senior management team. This will include diary management, drafting correspondence, tracking expenditure, travel planning, co-ordinating and recording of meetings, as well as being the first point of contact for both internal and external queries coming into the Chief Executive’s office. £21k per annum, Deadline 14th April, Apply online here.

Vocational Education Manager
Pedestrian is a registered charity working within the education, creative, and cultural sectors. Education Provision is a core part of our activity.  It consists of vocational programmes with accredited and non-accredited courses in a range of specialisms for ‘at risk’ young people aged 14-18 years. Primarily you will be responsible for managing and developing the provision for young people at risk of educational and/or social exclusion. Additionally you will be the appointed Child Protection Officer and Assessor for all our delivery. £20k pro rata, depending on experience, 24 hours a week, 8 months maternity cover with option to extend. Deadline midday 18th April. Click here for more.

Marketing and communications manager, National Centre for Craft & Design
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a marketing professional to work with four leading creative and cultural services.  Based at The National Centre for Craft & Design in Sleaford, Lincolnshire you will work alongside Design Factory, artsNK and Terry O’Toole Theatre to deliver a dynamic marketing and communications strategy that champions and celebrates the excellent and inspiring work that we do. £23k per annum plus benefits, for an informal discussion contact Clare Edwards clare@nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk or 01529 308719. Applications can be downloaded here. Deadline 15th April, interviews 22nd and 24th April.

DBA Theatre Company: Performing Arts Staff Required 
The Coventry company are looking for freelance performing arts staff for classes and workshops in the West midlands. Staff should be CRB checked, have a full driving license and public liability insurance. Send details to: dbatheatre@hotmail.co.uk

Three web design and marketing opportunities with 5or6 Design & Marketing
5or6 Design & Marketing are on the look out for new talented people! We currently have 3 new job opportunities based at our Loughborough office.

• Graduate Developer: We are currently looking for a graduate web developer to work with us on a 3 month paid placement. If you are interested you can apply via the Loughborough University website. (Deadline 21st May)
• Work Placement: We have a work placement position available for academic year 2013/14. If you are looking to make the most of your University placement year and are a budding designer then we would love to hear from you. Fill out the form on our jobs page and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
• Apprentice Front-End Developer: We are on the look out for a 16 - 24 year old Apprentice Front-End Developer to work with us on a paid 12 month apprenticeship. If you are highly organized with a good background knowledge in PHP, CSS and Databases you can apply for the position here.

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre Design Negotiator, The Designers Formation Ltd
We are looking for a dynamic forward thinking individual to undertake and develop the day to day and strategic running of The Designers Formation, the only agency in the UK exclusively representing theatre designers. This role currently amounts to circa 16 hours per week of flexible working on a commission only basis ( averaging £5,500 to £8,250 per annum) and would suit someone working from their own base. There is the possibility of building on this income in the potential future structure of the agency. The role requires a motivated and innovative self-starter with excellent communicating and negotiating skills to work for and with a group of 12 individually talented designers to secure the best working terms and conditions for projects across all scales and spectrums of performance in the UK and abroad. For details on how to apply, go to: http://www.designersformation.com/coordinator.html. Deadline 13 April

Freelance web and app designers, Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are looking for developers skilled in PHP, MySQL, Javascript, HTML5/CSS3 and Objective-C/Xcode to join their team based in Loughborough. Click here for more.

Capsule: Library of Birmingham Opportunities 
Children’s Library Commission - Professional artist or illustrator required to develop new work for the Children’s Library within the new Library Of Birmingham. Creative Residencies - applications from creative practitioners and arts organisations for week-long residencies in the foyer. Deadline 29 Apr 2013. Apply via www.capsule.org.uk or see more here.

Associate Creative Practitioners, Pedestrian
Our education provision is growing, and we'd like to grow our team of Associate tutors along with it.  If you think you've got what it takes to inspire young minds, share your passion for your specialism, and teach accredited programmes of work, you should get in touch. We're looking for Associates with specialisms in music technology, djing, fine art and design, photography and graffiti art.  You don't need to have an in date CRB (as we do those) but it is an advantage.  Own car or a love of public transport also a plus! Send an email detailing your experience in your specialism, why you want to/currently work with young people, and why you'd like to work with Pedestrian to info@pedestrian.info using the subject title ASSOCIATE CREATIVE PRACTITIONER APPLICATION. You can send us a CV and a few images / sound files / videos too, if you like (but it's not a requirement). Rates of pay start from £90 per day

Fun scientist, Sublime science
Children’s Science Presenter - A unique position that you will never forget! Enjoy entertaining and educating children by making sweets and slime and earn a great income while having fun! Hours are flexible but the majority of work will be at weekends with only occasional weekday opportunities - this is a perfect part time opportunity! £15-20k pro rata. More info. Deadline June 19th

Board Members, Spark Children's Arts Festival
The Spark are currently looking for three trustees to bring the board up to full capacity, with the following skills and backgrounds to complement the existing trustees and support the strategic direction of the charity: Diversity in arts practice, Marketing and product development, Small and medium size businesses, particularly within Asian communities. To find out more please visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk/jobs or contact the Chair (David Bell) on 07979 770551. You can send a letter of interest with  your CV to info@sparkfestival.co.uk  or by post to The Spark Children’s Arts Festival, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland St, Leicester, LE1 1RE.

Finance & Operations Director, Nottingham Contemporary
Nottingham Contemporary is an artistic and educational charity, supported by a number of investors, principally Arts Council England and Nottingham City Council. We play a central role in Nottingham’s social, economic, educational and cultural life. The new Finance and Operations Director will support Nottingham Contemporary’s ambitious artistic, educational and audience development programmes through the effective management of its facilities, financial and HR resources, as well as its trading activities. Working closely with the Director, he or she will play a leading role in strategically developing the organisation, ensuring it is best positioned to meet its existing aims and objectives and respond well to emerging opportunities. He or she will have excellent strategic and organisational skills; an exceptional grasp of finance, HR and facilities management; and excellent commercial, communication and negotiation skills. He or she will be a team player, have a strong work ethic, and an enthusiasm for the art of today and its value to society. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/opportunities. Deadline 22 April, 5pm

Technical Manager, The Core at Corby Cube
£24k - £25k per annum, (dependent on experience). Providing a high quality of technical presentation for all presented and participatory work within the theatre, cinema and studio spaces at The Core at Corby Cube and alternative spaces.  You will be responsible for the practical organisation and supervision of the technical team. Closing Date: 19 April, Interviews: 25 April. For an application pack, please download the application pack from our website www.royalanddengate.co.uk or email: recruitment@thecorecorby.com

Centre for Advanced Training Assistant, Dance4
Dance4 is an internationally recognised, experimental dance organisation based in Nottingham and manager of the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) for the East Midlands, which supports young people with exceptional potential in dance.  We are seeking a Centre for Advanced Training Assistant. To undertake administration on all areas of Dance4’s CAT and support tutors and students at the practical sessions. Candidates must have excellent organisational skills and an enthusiasm for contemporary dance training. Permanent contract, Salary £15,370. Closing date, 5pm Monday 22 April. Interviews, Thursday 25 April. Practical session, Saturday 27 April. Candidates must be available to attend the interview day and practical session. For an information pack visit www.dance4.co.uk, call 0115 9410773 or email jobs@dance4.co.uk

Opportunities with Nottingham Music Hub

• External Project Manager - Nottingham Music Service are looking for an exceptional candidate to join the leadership team and take responsibility for the development and implementation of the Nottingham In Harmony programme. This DfE/ACE funded programme is based on the principles of Venezuela's inspirational El Sistema and aims to inspire and transform the lives of children in deprived communities, using the power and disciplines of community-based orchestral music-making.
• Instrumental Teacher of Flute / Clarinet - Applications are sought from enthusiastic and competent Wider Opportunities Teachers of clarinet and/or Flute. Successful applicants will be working alongside class teachers to create exciting and real musical experiences for whole classes of pupils, as well as helping to lead entry-level ensembles across the city. Level 2 roles have an increased level of responsibility with planning and leading lessons and ensembles.
• Instrumental Teacher of Brass - Applications are sought from enthusiastic and competent Wider Opportunities Teachers of brass. Successful applicants will be working alongside class teachers to create exciting and real musical experiences for whole classes of pupils, as well as helping to lead entry-level ensembles across the city. 

Deadline for all positions is 22 April.

Gallery Hire: Unit1 at The Great Central Gallery & Studios
Unit1 gallery is available for hire for one or two week exhibitions. The well appointed gallery space measuring 56m2 (600 square foot) has 20m of hanging space and great natural light as well as daylight bulbs. Hires normally run from Monday-Sunday although some flexibility is often available. Standard hire rates are: £150 = 1week, £250 = 2weeks, with a student rate of: £125 = 1week, £200 = 2weeks. All exhibitions are documented on our website after the exhibition with links to the artists websites. For more information and to see images of past exhibitions visit our website and contact us at: unit1@thegreatcentral.org

Desk or office space needed
Local freelance photographer looking to share office in south Leicester to move it to soon. Please email nick@osbornephotography.co.uk or call 07739 035923.

The Stockhouse - Frog Island
Studio/Office space, Creative professionals sought for light, airy office/studio spaces in character building, waterside area, near Leicester city centre. Rent to include electricity, parking, telephone connection, shared use of kitchen and toilet facilities. Flexible terms available/bank references required. 4 x spaces: 2 x 210 sq ft (1 taken) £300 per month, 2x 150 sq ft £250 per month. Contact Rich Harris on 07939 211116 or email richharris@century20.co.uk

Artists’ Studio Space available
Cross Corners Arts Centre is a facility linked to the iconic Belgrave Hall in Leicester, managed by Mellor Community Primary School and owned by Leicester City Council. Following a comprehensive refurbishment, Cross Corners is about to be re-launched as a creative arts centre and has studio space available for up to 5 artists at very competitive rates of £86 per square metre. We want to hear from professional artists who wish to develop their career and provide workshops (one per half term) to children of Mellor School (reflected in the rental level) and other schools/groups using the Centre on a fee earning basis. Cross Corners aims to be an inspirational setting where creative potential is maximised. Expressions of interest are welcomed from existing artist collectives. To find out more and to register your interest please contact Mike Preston on 07500 702909 or Gary Kirk on 07808 060654

De Montfort University Innovation Centre
The Innovation Centre has several units available. small and medium sized companies can apply to become a tenant here, which will see them join our entrepreneurial community and innovative business network. Our rooms are charged at £18 per square foot, with our smallest unit being 96 square feet (£144 per month), and our largest at 685 square feet (£1027.49 per month). Additional benefits include a range of free business support events, one-to-one advice from finance, legal and marketing experts and the ability to tap into the university's research expertise. 'Virtual' tenancies also available at a reduced rate. Click here for more.

Cotesbach Stable Yard
Looking for artists/creative practitioners needing workshop/studio space with retail & informal partnership opportunities, neighbour to the Forge, the Wholefood Shop, Jasons Organic Butchers and the Cotesbach Educational Trust. 'Little Shop' Studio/office space (3.35x3.8=12.73m2/125sqft) with mezzanine available now. (POA) Available from May, 'Forge Studio' 36sqm @ £140pcm. On site accommodation available from 1st July @ £450 pcm, 'Huntsman's Half ' a two bedroom house part of historic Manor, kitchen, huge sitting room, utility room, unique character & atmosphere, woodburning stove, large garden For more information, contact sophy@cotesbach.net or see website.

Workspaces at LCB Depot & Phoenix
There are a number of workspaces available to LCB Depot and Phoenix including a flexible workspace package. To find out more, go to http://www.lcbdepot.co.uk/workspaces

Office Space Available in City Centre
Offices located in LE1 City Centre on Regent Road. Rooms on their own or as block floor. Terms flexible and hourly rates. Offices 7 days a week. Contact 07725368388 or email sanjaya.rakha@lighterlifecounsellor.com

Nominet Trust - Digital Edge Programme
The programme aims to support projects that use new technology to engage young people in new, more meaningful and relevant ways and enable their participation in building a more resilient society. There is no upper or lower funding limit as the Trust like to encourage applicants to be realistic about what they need to achieve their project objectives.  The closing date for applications is 1st May 2013. Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/chhfe9q

BAFTA TV Forum: Generation Next 
This day-long session of masterclasses, panels, Q&As and networking will give you a better understanding of how the industry functions, the skills needed in the multitude of different craft roles, how departments work together, where there is money to be made and how to protect yourself from selling your birth right for a mess of pottage. Aimed at those on the first rung of the career ladder, will give you access to the best minds in the industry and help you leverage your skills and talent to get ahead. £30.00 including lunch and drinks, a number of free student day passes are available. Click here for more and see their findings of their recent Career pathways survey here.

SimsCreative Copywriting for the web free guide
Leicestershire based design agency SimsCreative have produced a free (and short and punchy!) guide to copywriting for the web. Download here.

Creative Choices: Design Experts Wanted 
Could you share your knowledge about the design industry? Creative Choices are looking for practitioners to join the online 'Ask The Experts' panel for the www.getintodesign.org website. For more information, email info@creative-choices.co.uk

The Producers' Forum 
16 Apr 2013, mac Birmingham, 6.30pm, free. Monthly networking with a panel of industry experts discussing the current state of UK TV and how to compete within it, chaired by PF Board member Ben Robinson. See: www.producersforum.org.uk

The Short Cinema
Phoenix plays host once again to Leicester’s annual film industry showcase and get together. The Short Cinema film festival returns to show some of the best short films produced by filmmakers in the Midlands on the big screen. With films from both new and established filmmakers, the evening always delivers an exciting and eclectic mix of genres and styles. The submissions are now open. Please email alexzandra.jackson@phoenix.org.uk for info. Screening will be on the 28th August.

Digital Innovation Contest 2013 
IC Tomorrow competition offering 7 awards of up to £25,000 to develop innovative commercial prototypes that meet the specific challenges. Categories inc Beyond the eBook; Social and Recommendation; Next Generation Location Specific Advertising; Innovation in Digital Out-of-Home Advertising; Enhanced Digital Content; Developing the TV, and Exploring Mobile-Influenced Content. Deadline 24 Apr 2013. See: connect.innovateuk.org

Museum Club Artist Callout
Leicestershire County Council’s Learning & Engagement team are looking for expressions of interest from artists experienced in running creative projects with children (aged 7 to 14). Do you have a distinct and inspiring artistic skill and style that would engage children and could be delivered in a museum club setting? We’re looking for an artist who can base a project on items from our archival collections and create an individual or group artwork with the children. To be considered for this opportunity, please send a CV and a proposal (maximum 500 words) outlining an idea for an art based project you could run to the engagement officer at harpreet.sanghera@leics.gov.uk.

Aspire Awards: Adobe Youth Voices
The Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards is a global, online competition that encourages youth to creatively express their vision for driving positive change in local communities. It’s an extension of Adobe Foundation’s philanthropic commitment and its global signature program, Adobe Youth Voices, which aims to ignite creative confidence in youth around the world by empowering them to find their voice and make it heard. For content produced in 2013, including all Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards UNICEF Challenge entries, the submission deadline is April 19, 2013. Youth ages 13-19 are eligible to participate by teaming up with adult educators who are from any school or youth organization worldwide. More info here.

BFI Distribution Fund
The BFI Distribution Fund invests in projects that increase access to, and awareness of, high quality British independent and specialised films.  The fund does this by supporting the distribution launch of films that have the potential to reach beyond their core market; and by championing fresh approaches in distribution and marketing that will help films find new audiences, both in cinemas and across additional platforms.  The Distribution Fund has an annual budget of £4 million.  The fund is open to registered companies with direct experience of film distribution.  Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/9wauezq.

Digital capacity resources, ACE and BBC Academy
The Building digital capacity for the arts blog links to a range of guides and information regarding digital capacity in the arts. Advice on buying equipment, building an app, making a podcast and intellectual property. You can view the blog here http://digitalcapacity.artscouncil.org.uk/useful-links-resources/

NESTA Digital R&D Fund for the arts
The Digital R&D Fund for the Arts is a new fund to support research and development projects that use digital technology to enhance audience reach and/or explore new business models for organisations with arts projects. A maximum of £125k is available to projects involving an arts organisation, a researcher and a technology provider. To find out more, visit http://www.artsdigitalrnd.org.uk/

Designer Forum Events

• AW 14/15 Trend Presentation by Mudpie - 2 May, 12pm-1.30pm. Join us for creatively stimulating and commercially informative preview of the Autumn/Winter 14/15 season! £10 students, £30 members, £48 non-members
• Adobe Illustrator Tips & Tricks Workshop - 1 May, 10am-3.30pm. Our expert trainer will be demonstrating on Adobe Illustrator CS6 whilst referring back to previous versions. The session is aimed at an upper-beginner level. £80 members, £105 non-members

Both sessions will be held at Antenna Media Centre, Beck Street, Nottingham, NG1 1EQ. To find out more about the Designer Forum and how to become a member, visit http://www.designerforum.org.uk/

14/48 exhibition opportunity, Y theatre
Are you willing to get involved with a new upcoming festival in Leicester whilst raising your own profile, creating a wider network and showcasing your own craft? The exhibition will be providing the public with the opportunity to appreciate Leicester's contemporary talent. Straight from the streets of Seattle, this festival is an exciting opportunity for audiences to witness 7 brand new plays each day. To support this festival we are looking for artists to produce pieces of free art on the themes of: Pressure, Spontaneity, Creativity. For info, email rianne.hayman@hotmail.co.uk or b.megson@hotmail.co.uk

Go and see bursaries: Visit the Venice Biennale!
The bursaries are available to visit Venice during the 29-31 May preview period and are for emerging and mid-career artists who have an a-n Artist+AIR membership. Each Go and see: Venice Biennale 2013 bursary is worth £300. Click here for more. Deadline 13th April. 

Stalls wanted for Lyddington Fete
The Craft Fayre is held as part of the Lyddington Fete on Saturday 18th May and held in St Andrew’s Church, Lyddington.  Set up time is from 11.30 and stalls must be ready by 2pm when the event starts. We finish around 4.30-5pm. Table and boards various costs £25-£30. For queries email barbara@theoldparsonage.net or telephone 01572 898064 or 01572 822210 and leave a message

International Ceramics Festival, 28th-30th June
The festival is held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on the campus of Aberystwyth University on the mid-Wales coast.  Our international demonstrators show skills and techniques on our specially adapted stage and also have their own workspaces – enabling personal discussion about their work. The focus is both practical and inspirational – kilns are built, pots are made and fired. A range of exhibition and demonstration opportunities are available to professionals and students. For more, click here.

2013 Project Spaces at TENT London
Following from its successful inaugural introduction to Tent London & Super Brands London in 2012, are delighted to open the applications to apply for a Project Space in the 2013 shows. As in 2012, the Project Space should be about anything but products. They like to punctuate the halls at Tent London with engaging installations of all descriptions which challenge design hungry visitors and offer a break from the furniture, lighting and interiors products found within the rest of the show. This year we are again offering 4 FREE Project Spaces in the show to architects and designers who have a design or concept they would like to present to 20,000 visitors. For more, click here. Deadline 26th April.

Open Exhibition and Workshop leaders, Ten2Gallery
The Ten2Gallery is again offering the exciting opportunity to artists in the area to submit up to 3 pieces of their work for consideration to be included in the open “Summer Exhibition” to be held at the Ten2Gallery during July and August 2013. Applications can be downloaded here. We are also looking for artists who can offer courses (one-off or up to 10 weeks) for later in the year. Email roasandlinda@ten2gallery.co.uk for more.

Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the year
Apply now to our competition for a chance to have your work displayed in the National Portrait Gallery and receive a £10,000 commission to produce a portrait for The British Library. Click here for more.

Stall Holders Required, Oadby
For a handmade Craft Fair, Sunday 2nd June, 10am - 3pm at Beauchamp College, Oadby. We are looking for hand-crafted textiles, jewellery, knitwear, ceramics, photography, paintings, wooden gifts, candles, cards and more. £20.00 per stall, including 30 event flyers for each stall holder. For further details please email enquiries@hapalaida.co.uk

New Designers 2013 
Taking place in June/July in London, New Designers is a focal point for UK design courses to meet industry employers, buyers, the media, trend predictors and the public. Limited places are still available for final year students. Apply via: www.newdesigners.com

Stalls at Oadby Library
Do you have creative items to sell? Oadby Library are looking to host a day of creative arts stalls on Saturday 20th April and are looking for anybody with anything handmade, homemade and crafty to sell. The library is open from 10am until 4pm and the charge for the stall is £10. Stallholders keep all profits from items sold on the day.  Please contact Kim Wallis kim.wallis@leics.gov.uk or 0116 305 8763

Voluntary Arts Week 'Craftbomb'
This year’s Voluntary Arts Week takes place from 11 to 19 May, and we’re planning to kick it off with our most ambitious craft project ever! If you’re a knitter, stitcher, quilter, embroiderer – whatever your craftform – we want you to get involved in the Voluntary Arts Week ‘Craftbomb‘. We’re calling on all crafters to help turn the UK and Ireland’s public spaces into a riot of colour to celebrate the first day of Voluntary Arts Week. We’ve put together a pack to help you plan your event, including information on getting permission for your Craftbomb, ideas for what to create, and how to let people know about it. Click here for more, including a downloadable briefing pack.

Capsule: Library of Birmingham Opportunities 
Children’s Library Commission - Professional artist or illustrator required to develop new work for the Children’s Library within the new Library Of Birmingham. Creative Residencies - applications from creative practitioners and arts organisations for week-long residencies in the foyer. Deadline 29 Apr 2013. Apply via www.capsule.org.uk or see more here.

Showcase: Loughborough Arts Fair
Run by the School of the Arts student committee at Loughborough University, Showcase is an event which seeks to inform students of the creative opportunities available to them in their local area. We are looking for galleries, artists, designers and performing arts groups to generously spare an afternoon and showcase their own practices. It is a great opportunity to liaise with students, recruit volunteers and publicize any upcoming events. Initiated in 2012, Showcase proved to be a great success with the students and the companies involved and we hope that this year you will help us build on that success and make Showcase an even more exciting event. Showcase will be held on the 1st May 2013 at Loughborough University. If you would like to get involved or require any further information please contact Emma Simmonds on e.simmonds-11@student.lboro.ac.uk or 07811309183

Call out for: Crafted
Creative Hinckley’s summer Craft and Design Fair is seeking applications from artists to sell work at this established event. Crafted will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June from 10am to 4pm at The Atkins Building, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley. Stalls cost £30 for one day and £50 for the weekend. For an application form visit www.creativehinckley.co.uk

Pathways to Making: Developing Your Craft Career In An Expanded Field 
One day symposium to debate craft as an expanded field and explore themes from the touring exhibition Made In The Middle. Deadline for booking a place 19 Apr 2013. 3 May 2013, University of Wolverhampton, £15. See: wlv.ac.uk/made-in-the-middle-symposium

Market Bosworth Festival, craft market
The Market Bosworth Festival is taking applications for its annual summer handmade craft market. The Festival is keen for the craft market to have a good balance of work / mediums and so is on the look-out for local handmade crafters and artists to take part. The event takes place on Saturday 22nd June in the market square and stalls cost £18. For more information contact info@bosworthfestival.co.uk

CRAFT, contemporary craft fair
CRAFT will provide a commercial platform for around 100 contemporary designer makers selected by an advisory panel, who wish to reach an audience of professional retailers, galleries, museums and collectors. The show will be co-located with Top Drawer and Home at Earls Court, London from 12 to 14 January 2014. Stands from £950+VAT. More info here. Deadline for applications 28th June 2013

Call for applications: 'gifted.13' Christmas Market
The National Centre for Craft & Design in partnership with Design Factory is seeking applications for 'gifted.13' Christmas Market on Saturday 30th November 2013. The market will take place within the courtyard outside NCCD, between 10am - 4pm. More info here. Deadline 30th April.

Bulldog Portrait Bursary
Would you like to train as a portrait painter? The Bulldog Portrait Bursary aims to develop the talent of an artist at an early stage in their career. The bursary is worth £5,000, plus an extra donation of £2,500 from the de Laszlo Foundation. The aim is to provide an opportunity for an artist, regardless of location, to be mentored by members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Other benefits include access to facilities at the Heatherley School of Fine Art. Deadline 24th April. More info here.

Printmaking Courses at Leicester Print Workshop
The February – July course programme features courses in silkscreen printing onto paper and textiles, letterpress, etching, stone and photoplate lithography, wood engraving and linocut printmaking. They’re also running offsite courses at Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham, Rufford Craft Centre in North Nottinghamshire and John Clare Cottage in Helpston, Peterborough. View the programme here http://www.leicesterprintworkshop.com/courses. If you would like to join our mailing list for more information about our courses and events, please email info@leicesterprintworkshop.com

Call our for artists: Wirksworth Festival 2013, 6 - 22 September
A leading rural arts festival where everyone can enjoy great art in a unique and inspiring setting. Applications to Exhibit Now Open for Art And Architecture Trails Weekend 7th-8th September. Wirksworth Festival is now firmly established as a leading festival in the region, attracting artists and visitors from throughout the country to explore the fascinating historic market town. With many artists, designers and makers exhibiting, it offers a great opportunity to exhibit, sell, socialise and network. We continue to seek quality work for the Trails Weekend, promoting far and wide and continue to build sales for our artists while maintaining the elements of surprise and discovery that we feel are the trademark of the event. If you would like to apply click here. The deadline for applications is 18th April. Tel: 01629 824003, website www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk

Exhibitions wanted: Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery
The Warwickshire venue is looking for proposals for exhibitions from artists and artist groups. Exhibitions may be touring, local history, thematic (based on the museum collection), community or visual art. The deadline for applications is 19 May 2013. For full application pack, email: jennifer.shaw@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk

Call for arts and crafts stalls, Riverside Festival
Arts and crafts stalls wanted for Riverside Festival taking place in Leicester on 1st and 2nd June across Bede Park and Castle Park. 4'x10' market stalls w. canopy and two chairs cost £70 for both days or £40 for one. Contact Selina Basra on 0116 238 5085 or Selina.Basra@leicester.gov.uk

3D body scanner comes to Nottingham
Designer Forum is collaborating with the Hollings faculty of Manchester Metropolitan University and hosting a state of the art 3D body scanner in Nottingham city centre to collect and analyse body measurements of the population. We would like to invite clothing businesses of all sizes who may be interested in taking part to contact us. The data- including detailed lists of measurements would then be available to participants. Further details will be announced later. Please contact us to register your interest in taking part: enquiries@designerforum.org.uk.  
More details of the Hollings body scanner can be found here.

Call for Applications - Handmade in Britain 13: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair
8 - 10 November. Handmade in Britain will be returning to Chelsea Old Town hall for their 7th year in 2013, showcasing exceptional British craft and design to begin the Christmas season. Applications are now being accepted from designer-makers working in Britain and creating in the following disciplines: Fashion design & accessories, Interior design & accessories, glass, jewellery, furniture, stationery, metalwork, ceramics, sculpture, woodwork, prints and etchings. If you are a recent graduate, you can apply for the New Graduate Showcase, a dedicated gallery space within the main hall at Handmade in Britain 13. To qualify, you must have graduated in 2012 or 2013. For more information on either of these opportunities, and to apply, please download the Handmade in Britain 13 application pack, or the New Graduate Showcase application pack. Deadline,12 April

British Ceramics Biennial £3,000 graduate award & exhibition
The British Ceramics Biennial and the National Association of Ceramics in Higher Education (NACHE) invite graduates from BA and MA courses at UK universities to submit their work for selection for FRESH 2013. FRESH is an exhibition of new ceramic work by recent graduates, to be presented in the China Hall on the original Spode factory site from 28 September to 10 November 2013, as part of the British Ceramics Biennial festival. To be eligible to participate you need to be a 2012 or 2013 graduate from a UK higher education university or college. The primary media of your work should be clay (although all media are allowed) with the work based on the exploration of the ceramic process. FRESH offers a single £3,000 prize award to the best work. For full details and to apply, download the application form. Deadline, 5 July

Creative Choices: Design Experts Wanted
Could you share your knowledge about the design industry? Creative Choices are looking for practitioners to join the online 'Ask The Experts' panel for the www.getintodesign.org website. For more information, email info@creative-choices.co.uk

Fashion Angel's Startup Loan Scheme
Startup loan scheme for young, ambitious fashion entrepreneurs. Find out more about how you can receive a loan between £2.5k-£5k to start a fashion or accessories business, at http://www.fashion-angel.co.uk/

Get Creative at Oadby Library
A series of events running 13th-28th April at Oadby Library, LE2 5BF. Writing workshops include: Poetry writing (15th), Short stories (16th), Storytelling (21st), Agents and authors Q&A (22nd), Book making (23rd), Self-publishing (25th) and many more activities and talks. Fees vary, download the brochure (pdf) here.

East Midlands Book of the Year 2014
Every year £1000 is awarded to a writer of Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, or Poetry. This can include work aimed at children and young people. The aim of the award is to promote writers who live in the East Midlands, to raise the profile of the thriving literary scene in the region, and to reward exceptional work. Click here for more. Nominations must be received between April 1 and December 14 of this year.

Creative Salon
Creative Salon is a forum for creativity, connecting and sharing. It is aimed at writers, practitioners, producers, artists and all those who work in, support, or are interested in, literature and spoken word formats. In true salon style it’s cosmopolitan, and all are welcome. The next session short talks by storyteller JO BLAKE CAVE, poet and recent MBE recipient JEAN ‘BINTA’ BREEZE plus a scratch talk on spoken word curation by MELANIE ABRAHAMS. Embrace Arts, 6-8pm, 13th April, Free, booking required. Click here for more.

Leicester Writers’ Club
LWC is a community of writers based in and around Leicester. Many club members are published but all are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in their writing. LWC meets on Thursdays throughout the year, 7-9pm at the Adult Education College. The majority of meetings are ‘manuscript evenings’ where club members read and receive feedback on work in progress; from time to time LWC will also host authors talks and expert speakers. Click here for more.

The International Rubery Book award
Books sent to us can be from a publisher or an author published by an independent publisher, or by those who have self published. 1st £1000, 2nd £200 and 3rd £75 prizes. Click here for more. Deadline 30th April.

Call for Scripts – Hitchcock Season at Curve
Off the Fence Theatre Company has been commissioned to produce and perform a series of short plays at Leicester’s Curve theatre as part of Curve’s forthcoming Hitchcock season. Off the Fence are therefore looking for scripts to consider for performance in RR2 in September and October 2013. Scripts should be longer than 5 minutes but under 30 minutes, for no more than 4 actors and with a connection to Alfred Hitchcock or his work. Please forward a synopsis of your idea (no more than 300 words) together with your contact details and short biography to script-editor@off-the-fence.com by 19th April 2013. Please do not send scripts at this stage. We look forward to hearing from you for what is an exciting opportunity at Leicester’s flagship theatre.

Writing East Midlands courses
Based at Leicester Adult Education Centre. Please note all costs subject to a 4% booking fee if purchased online, 10% early bird discount available (dates vary)
For more information on all courses listed, click here
 

• Starting to Write Poetry with John Gallas, 5 sessions from 15th April, £65
   
• Writing from the Body with Alison Dunne, 5 sessions from 15th April, £65
   
• Novel Writing Workshop with Rod Duncan, 12 sessions from 16th April, £150
   
• Starting to Write Young Adult Fiction with Maxine Linnell, 4 sessions from 18th April, £55
   
• Finding your Voice through Character with Deborah Tyler-Bennett, 6 sessions from 3rd June, £77
   
• Telling the Truth with Alison Dunne, 6 sessions from 3rd June, £80
   
• Writing Your Own Story with Maxine Linnell, 6 sessions from 5th June, £80
   
• Young Adult Fiction Writing Workshop with Maxine Linnell, 6 sessions from 6th June, £80
   
• Flash Fiction Workshop with Emma Lannie, 15th June, £15
   
• Publish your Ebook in a Day with Pippa Hennessy, 15th June, £77

Dance Teacher Training Day
Thursday 20 June, 10am-4pm. DMU P.A.C.E. Building, The Newarke, Leicester LE1 9BH. Centre for Advance Training invites teachers with an interest in dance to attend a free and motivating teacher training day. The day will be aimed at secondary level teachers, specialist and non-specialist and independent dance artists who are leading or aiming to run dance sessions with young people. For full details and to book, visit the Dance4 website

Performing Arts Leicester Next Generation Two year Training Programme
Launch event Monday 22nd April - 4pm – 6.00pm at Curve on the Mezzanine Level. This invitation extends to all PAL members and prospective PAL members – come along and find out more about the fantastic training and development opportunities on offer to you and your organisations, all funded by PAL/ACE. For more detailed info on what’s available to you contact our project Manger Sue Pike on 07831 136827 or email her at sue@suepike.com for an information pack. Book online here. If you would like to find out more information about joing PAL, email lucia.masundire@leics.gov.uk

A Conversation With Karen Nelson
15 Apr 2013, Coventry University Ellen Terry Building, 4pm
C-DaRE and Decoda-UK event. US dance artist Karen Nelson discusses outcomes from her recent workshops based on Lisa Nelson's Tuning Scores. Details: www.decoda-uk.org

Hidden Movement: Black British Dance: Think Tank
Thursday 9th - Friday 10th May at Phoenix Square, Leicester. Hidden Movement is a seminar series with an initial focus on Black British Dance. It aims to remember and record what has taken place during the last 64 years in the UK. When we think of Black Dance what companies or names come to mind? Why have we forgot those that paved the way? It will discuss lessons that should have been learnt, where we are now, the politics that shaped the times and was instrumental in both opening and closing doors. Kenneth Tharp OBE, Hilary Carty, Brenda Edwards MBE, Jackie Guy MBE, Henri Oguike, David Bryan, Patrick Acogny and Luke Jennings, the dance critic for the Observer are just a few of the people who will add the missing voice to the history of Black British Dance today. Early bird tickets £100 before 20 April, Day tickets £65. For more, click here.

Dance in Leicester City of Culture 2017
Friday 24 May, 6pm. This seminar will allow artists throughout the community to come together to discuss potential projects to be developed to promote the City of Culture. Chaired by Fiona Allan, Chief Executive of Curve, this is the perfect networking opportunity. The consortium are looking for dynamic and ambitious applications to the City of Culture programme, in order to fend off tough opposition from the other applicants. Click here for more.

Lets Dance International Festival
This year’s LDIF celebrates International Day of Dance with a programme from Guadeloupe, Iran, India, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, UK and Brazil; where the artists have focused on traditional styles and updated them to reflect contemporary culture by marrying basic structures, identity and dance styles. Running from 29th April - 25th May including performances, masterclasses and seminars. Click here for more.

Foundation for Community Dance Summer School
23rd-26th July, De Montfort University. Now in its fifth year, this unique professional development experience offers the opportunity to develop your skills, and be inspired by great dance practice and renowned artists and leaders in the field. Choose from one of four courses lead by Miranda Tufnell, Cecilia Macfarlane, Isabel Jones and Diane Amans. Fees include handbook, lunches and accommodation - £345 members, £525 non-members: early bird discount available until 30th April. Click here for more.

Call for Scripts – Hitchcock Season at Curve
Off the Fence Theatre Company has been commissioned to produce and perform a series of short plays at Leicester’s Curve theatre as part of Curve’s forthcoming Hitchcock season. Off the Fence are therefore looking for scripts to consider for performance in RR2 in September and October 2013. Scripts should be longer than 5 minutes but under 30 minutes, for no more than 4 actors and with a connection to Alfred Hitchcock or his work. Please forward a synopsis of your idea (no more than 300 words) together with your contact details and short biography to script-editor@off-the-fence.com by 19th April 2013. Please do not send scripts at this stage. We look forward to hearing from you for what is an exciting opportunity at Leicester’s flagship theatre.

Public Domestic Symposium
Curated by artist Emma Smith, this one day symposium will expand on ideas and issues addressed in Public Domestic, a project commissioned by Radar in which she explores the domestic environments of university life as spaces of exchange and knowledge production. The day will seek to reflect on the domestic as a site of agency and investigate, through visual anthropology, verbatim theatre and participatory practises, the ethics and methodologies of making the private public. The symposium will also include a screening of Our Autonomous Life, a ‘cooperative sitcom’ initiated by Casco. 23 April 2013, 10.30am – 5.00pm, LUA Project Space, Edwards Barnsley, Loughborough University. Cost £10, includes lunch & refreshments. Click here for more.

Music Industry Talent Development Fund
The new Music Industry Talent Development Fund - a partnership between PRS for Music Foundation and Arts Council England - will inject more than £500,000 into the music industry over the next two years. Grants of up to £15k will be available. Applications will be open in May, click here for more.

14/48: The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival
On May 24th and 25th The Y will be hosting Seattle’s famous 14/48: The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival. 7 directors, 7 writers, 25 actors, a band, a design team and a whole host of volunteers will come together to create 14 plays in 48 hours. The Y is working in partnership with Seattle’s 14/48 team and Leicester College to bring the Arts Community of Leicester and the East Midlands together, to network, train, create, and have a fantastically fun time in the process. For more information or to take part please contact Amy Christer: artseducation@leicesterymca.co.uk

Stage One, funding new theatre productions and producers
If you are an aspiring theatre producer, Stage One can help get you onto the first rung of your career ladder, and turn your entrepreneurial ideas and ambitions into reality. A range of support is available, from paid apprenticeships (approx £18k pa) in commercial and subsidized theatres, bursaries and investments (up to £50k) for new productions and industry-leading mentorships. For more information, click here

Extra-Ordinary Workshop
Friday 17 May, 11am-12pm. Embrace Arts, LE1 7HA. A unique opportunity to meet and work with David Toole and Linda Hind, prior to their evening performance of Extra-Ordinary at Embrace Arts. Fresh from the Paralympic opening ceremony, David Toole will be sharing skills and techniques to develop your own unique way of dancing. Only 1 workshop is available. Suitable for KS4+. Please contact Marianne Pape for more information on 0116 252 3037, arts-education@le.ac.uk and visit www.embracearts.co.uk

Royal Academy of Dance - Dance and Lifelong Wellbeing conference
London: 26-28th April, We are delighted to announce details of our conference which will bring together leading experts in dance, health, community arts and education to explore the ways in which dance can enhance lives. The conference will combine interviews, presentations, panel discussions, demonstration classes and a live performance and will take place over three days at both the Royal Academy of Dance and the London College of Fashion. Click here for more.

The Performing Rights Society (PRS) for Music Foundation
The UK's leading funder of new music across all genres, has announced that its funding programme for individuals, organisations and groups is open for applications. Funding is available to: Any individual or not-for-profit organisation that support the creation and performance of outstanding new music in any genre, Develop artists to their full potential, Inspire audiences UK-wide. Through this programme individuals as well as bands; ensembles; collectives; charities; local authority and schools; etc can apply for grants of up to £25,000 (£5,000 for first time applicants). More here.  Deadline 29 April

Creative Coffee
Creativity, Coffee and Conversation. We're a FREE fortnightly networking meet-up for creative people and those looking to meet creatives. Based at Phoenix, Leicester. See more here: http://www.creativecoffee.org.uk/. Next Creative Coffee, 10 April with guest speaker Timothy Grayson

FSB & More Restaurant Networking Evening
First Wednesday of every month, 6pm. More Restaurant, 62a London Road, Leicester, LE2 0QD. Great opportunity for local businesses no matter how big or small to get together and meet like minded people who in turn could help you with your business. FREE ADVERTSING: MORE Restaurant has over 1500 customers dining each week and are allowing networkers attending this event to advertise their business on their TV screens within the restaurant for free (every month they attend). Network, Socialise, Eat & Drink £16 per person. FSB members must bring their FSB membership card, in order to receive their discounted rate. For more information contact Vimal Chauhan: FSB Chairman (Leicester City), 0116 298 6444 info@DriveMyCarHome.co.uk

It could be you... Grants for the arts advice
Tuesday 21 May,  Session 1 from 2-4pm, Session 2 from 5-7pm. Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street, NG1 4BU. If you've got a great arts idea and don't know how to go about getting funding, Grants for the arts could be for you. Arts Council's East Midlands team is holding a session to encourage people to make their first application.  Click here for more

Audience agency practical surgeries
11th July, De Montfort University, Innovation Centre. Ideal to follow up on and help embed training, or help you with a particular issue you might be facing, our consultants will provide practical, tailored advice to help you with your audience development and marketing challenges. These surgeries can be accessed as standalone support or as additional help following on from attendance at one of our events. The conditions of Lottery funding mean the surgeries are free to Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations. They cost £50 +VAT for ACE Major Partner Museums and £90+VAT for non-National Portfolio Organisations. Click here for more (Note: limited spaces, going quickly!)

British Arts Festivals Associations roadshows 2013
The dates and locations for the BAFA roadshows (open to members and non-members) are April 23rd (Bristol), 25th (London) and 8th May (Leeds) More details to come. Click here for BAFA website.

Creative Leicestershire Artists' Training for artists in healthcare settings
Creative Leicestershire are glad to announce that applications for our training programme for artists working in healthcare settings are now open. We are working with Willis Newson and Beauty and Utility Arts to deliver a programme of training sessions for artists working in healthcare settings. The programme consists of 4 days of tailored training for artists with experience of running participatory arts projects in community or education settings, who wish to extend their practice into health, or for artists with experience of working in health settings who want to improve their skills and extend their knowledge. Additionally, there will be one sharing day promoting to potential commissioners and collaborators, and one day spent on placement. Course Dates: Thursday 18th April, Thursday 25th April, Thursday 2nd May, Thursday 13th June. Sharing Day: Tuesday 9th July. Mentoring & Placement: May – June. £85 per day, £370 in total. 50% on booking, 50% at end of April. There are two free places for recent graduates from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. More info here. Deadline for booking 12th April. This is supported by Creative Leicestershire.

Using the Arts with Juvenile and Young Offenders
July 10th, Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham. This popular one-day workshop explores the benefits of using creative activities with young offenders, both within the community and the secure estate.  Developed in partnership with SOFT TOUCH this course will examine practical issues, such as those encountered in secure units and personal issues, such as motivation and the development of the young people.  The course will use a mixture of training techniques to help educate and inform. Cost £150, various reductions available. Click here for more.

Clore Leadership Short Courses
Intensive two-week courses for cultural sector leaders. You must have at least 5 years' paid work experience in the arts, museums and/or libraries sector, be working in England and be committed to developing your career as a cultural leader in England. The next short course is taking place Monday 3 - Friday 14 June at Linden Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland; applications have been extended until 14th April. For more, click here.

Free training from Rolls Royce
Rolls Royce in Derby have yet again generously donated training places for us to pass on to Arts Organisations across a variety of courses. We are taking bookings for these courses now, but express your interest quickly as there is only 1 place available per course, and we will be allocating that place on a first come first served basis. (Please note, while these are free to attend, no-shows and cancellations will be charged)

• First Aid Full Basic - 4 days - 10th-13th June - 8.30 - 16.00
• Negotiating Skills - 2 days - 23rd-24th July - 8.00-16.00
• Time Management - 1 day - 20th November - 8.00 - 16.00

Contact: peter.collins@artsandbusiness.org.uk to express an interest

Training Events from Voluntary Action Leicestershire

• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) in Seven Days. 10th April to 22nd May (various days) VAL offices, 9 Newarke St, LE1 5SN. The course covers the role of the teacher in facilitating learning and their legal responsibilities within a classroom setting. You will learn how to plan effective learning activities taking into consideration different learning styles, methods of delivery and assessment. The course will cover communication within the classroom and techniques to include and motivate the students you have.
• Certificate in funding and funding applications. 22nd and 29th April 10.00-4.30. £149. This course is the first step for individuals wanting to develop their skills in fundraising and writing effective funding applications. It looks at the different types of funding available, their advantages and disadvantages. You will look at where to look for funding and how to write applications for funding that give you and your organisation a greater chance of success.
• Equality and Diversity 20th May 2.00-5.00. Free. The aim of this session is to provide staff and volunteers with a general introduction to the subject of equalities, an overview of relevant legislation and good practice in this area.
• Action Learning Sets from 1st May (City) 15th May (North West Leicestershire) Action Learning Sets are groups who meet regularly in order to explore solutions to real problems and decide on the action we wish to take. Email glen.w@valonline.org.uk for more information
• Understanding and using Skilled for Health 17th April 10.00am to 4.00pm. £75. Skilled for Health is the evidence based, national Health Literacy embedded learning resource. It is aimed at those adults who have the poorest health and learning outcomes. This is a one day workshop which provides an introduction to the resources. It is aimed at experienced trainers and will show participants how to use the resources in their work. The workshop includes practical sessions on planning and delivering Skilled for Health.
• Getting Volunteers 24th April, 9.30-11.30. This 2 hour session will enable participants to learn about how to attract volunteers to their organisation and to create clear and well-prepared roles for them. Free.
• Reducing the risks of trustees 2nd May, 9.30-12.30. Are you occasionally worried that you may be liable as a trustee for the actions of your committee? Would you like to be absolutely sure about the ways in which you and your organization can protect them? This session will provide you with a toolkit based on materials originally developed by Governance Hub.
• Financial Management 13th May, 9.30-12.30. This session is aimed at committee members charged with responsibility for accounting for and managing money, regardless how small. The course provides a simple introduction into bank reconciliation, petty cash and cash flow systems using friendly and interactive activities to give you more confidence 
• Managing Volunteers 23rd May.
  Managing volunteers requires some different skills to managing paid members of staff. This session will enable you to approach the recruitment and management of volunteers with more confidence and develop your organization¹s practices around its volunteers.
• Business Volunteering Scheme: VAL is developing a scheme in which volunteers from the Business Community would be able to offer skills voluntarily to voluntary and community sector organisations. If you would like to impact the design of this pilot scheme, email: glen.w@valonline.org.uk

Philanthropy and fundraising from Cultivate
Two programmes offered by Cultivate-EM:

• 3D Dynamic Fundraising: Cultivate in partnership with international data information company Experian have developed an innovative analysis and development programme to support cultural organisations in identifying, profiling and developing relationships with current and potential donors. 3D Fundraising will enable organisations to identify key relationship building and retention strategies based on Experian's analysis of your existing customer data.
• VANTAGE: Designed to address the structural and cultural changes that many organisations need to make at board and senior officer level to improve their fundraising capabilities and increase philanthropic giving, VANTAGE is Cultivate's unique development programme for governing bodies and senior managers.

If you would like to enquire about participating in either programme please contact Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson at vanessa@cultivate-em.com or telephone 0115 852 4006. See here for more.

Starting Blocks Business Support Workshops 
De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre have partnered with Seed Creativity to deliver a schedule of presentations and workshops designed to help small businesses and growing SME’s develop. Each workshop will cover practical elements, case-studies and in many cases will feature guest speakers who will share their own experiences. Upcoming events include:

• Working with Mentors/Winning Financial Support - Wednesday 8 May
• Presentation Skills and Pitching - Wednesday 12 June
• Good Practice with Finance - Wednesday 10 July

Each workshop costs £10 and will take place between 5.30-7.30pm, at The Innovation Centre. To find out more and to book, visit the website

Creative Consultation with Young People
Monday 22 April, 10am - 4.15pm. Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham. This course is suitable for anyone who is looking to consult with young people through engagement in creative participatory activities. There is increasing pressure from national and local government, funders, organisations and young people themselves for organisations involved in youth arts activities to consult effectively. With this in mind, Artsplan has created this course to respond to this growing need and to inspire course participants to undertake meaningful, well structured, planned, engaging and dynamic consultation programmes with young people. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon successful completion of the course and a wealth of practical resources.  Prices for each course, which include lunch and refreshments, range from £110 to £150, with limited bursaries available. Members of ENYAN can request a 10% discount on all Artwork publications and training courses! For more information, or to make a booking please visit www.artswork.org.uk/training, or contact the Manager- Learning and Skills via: artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 02380 332491.

Photography one day course
Experience Seminars are running an Introduction to your Canon digital EOS practical workshop at Twycross Zoo on 19th June 2013. Fee is £159, click here for more.

The Art of Work Training: How To Get Noticed in a Crowded Marketplace
Pete Mosley/The Art of Work has released the second toolkit in the Creative Business Explorer series. This toolkit will help you identify the most appropriate techniques to use to build your profile and get the level of visibility that you want and, importantly, feel comfortable with. How to Get Noticed will be released in instalments and will build up to a fully featured toolkit over 4-5 weeks at a price of £19.99. This can be purchased as a stand alone toolkit - you do not need to have completed the Creative Business Explorer. However, the two toolkits are fully compatible and are constructed so that they can be used in conjunction with each other. For more click here.

HMRC PAYE Tools
Basic PAYE Tools is a free computer software package provided by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to help you run your payroll throughout the year. The tools are designed for employers with nine or fewer employees and will work out the tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) for your employees in each pay period and report your payroll information to HMRC. This has recently been updated to take RTI into account. Click here for more.

Family Friendly Arts Conference
Monday 15 April, 11.00-5.00, Town Hall, Birmingham, Devised in consultation with over 1,000 arts professionals and 2,000 families, the sector-led Campaign will be officially launched with a major one-day event at Birmingham’s prestigious Town Hall.  As well as getting details of how to take part in the first national Family Arts Festival (18 October - 3 November 2013) and get access to free specialist advice and support for arts organisations in your area, there will be the chance to learn from experts in engaging families from beyond the arts sector. Visit http://www.tmauk.org/ffa.aspx for more information. £100+VAT

Launch of CultureHive
Tuesday 23 April, 2.00-4.30pm. Phoenix, Leicester, LE1 1TG. We'd like to invite you to register now for the above free launch event. Explore the changing context for marketing and leadership in the cultural sector with our keynote speaker Russell Willis Taylor (President and CEO of the US National Arts Strategies); see a live demonstration of CultureHive and find out how it might help you to find ideas, knowledge and inspiration; discuss latest thinking, share ideas, network and socialise. The new online resource, created and managed by the Arts Marketing Association, funded by Arts Council England and delivered in partnership with the Audience Agency, has been designed to help cultural organisations to develop, share and adopt exceptional solutions to reach and engage more people more often. For more, click here.

How to make your business energy resilient
Wednesday 24 April, 5.30pm. Donington Park Race Track, Castle Donington, DE74 2RP. The businesses of North West Leicestershire are proud to announce the second in series of free Environmental Technologies Workshops. Please come along if you are interested in finding out how you can benefit from green technologies. Find out more and book online here

Cr8net conference
Wednesday 24 April, Village Underground in London's 'Tech City'. Cr8net is back and this time it’s bigger than ever! This one-day conference for the creative industries brings together industry practitioners, policy makers and businesses. Speakers include Ed Vaizey MP, Eze Vidra (Google), Alison Wenham (Assoc. Independent Music), Charlotte Higgins (Guardian), Pauline Tambling (Creative & Cultural Skills).  £275. Book online at http://cida.co.uk/cr8net/ or call 020 7247 4710

NESTA Creative Business Mentor Network
The Creative Business Mentor Network was set up to nurture creative companies with an appetite for growth. The Network gives creative companies the rare opportunity of one-to-one mentoring with some of the most successful business people in the creative sector.  The Mentors work for companies such as Fremantle, SEGA, Aardman, Nokia and Arts Alliance. Close for applications 14th May (3pm), apply online here. (Registrants must be from a registered company trading for minimum of two years, minimum turnover of £200k, working in one or more of the following sectors Advertising, Film, TV, Digital Media, and Games.)

Equipment clear out at Derby Museums!
Derby Museums have a selection of old display equipment, plinths, furniture, fittings and other miscellaneous items for which they have no further use. To that end they are holding an Equipment Dispersal Day, Friday 12th April, 11:00 – 15:00, The Silk Mill, Silk Mill Lane, off Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF. Come along to collect some bargains for your organisation! Most items are being offered free of charge, (although any donations would be gratefully received!) Contact anja@derbymuseums.org

Arts Development UK invites new members
AD:uk is one of the largest national organisations representing the interests of those working in arts development for local communities. We have three top-level objectives: Member services: to equip our members through formal and informal training and learning with the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality, effective arts services. Research and Advocacy: to inform and represent our members and their work at national and regional level. Operations: to ensure that the association is a sustainable and effective organisation. Members benefit from access to tailored professional development, information resources, regional groups, seminars and a major annual conference. Fees range from (excluding VAT) £42 for unemployed/students, £80 for professionals, and group/organisational discounts are available. More info here.

Creative Employment Programme
The Creative Employment Programme is a £15m fund to support the creation of traineeships, formal apprenticeship and paid internship opportunities for young unemployed people aged 16-24 wishing to pursue a career in the arts and cultural sector. The programme is now open for applications.

Arts Council Strategic Touring Programme 
The £45 million programme aims to 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. The funding is available to both organisations and individuals.  Partnerships, networks and consortia can also apply. Grants need to be more than £10,000 per project. Closing dates: 19 Apr, 14 Jun, 9 Aug, 4 Oct, 29 Nov 2013. Details www.artscouncil.org.uk

Startup Britain survey
This survey aims take a snapshot of start-up life to uncover the clever ways people are setting up new businesses using social routes to market as well as starting small and growing organically. One winner will recieve an iPad mini, click here to get started.

People's Millions
The People’s Millions is a grants programme run by the Big Lottery Fund, in partnership with ITV. We have £3.8 million to give out. We expect to award up to £50,000 (including VAT) to four projects in each of the 19 ITV regional news areas, 76 awards in total, up to £50,000 each. Click here for more. Deadline 13th May.

People's Postcode Trust
Offers funding of between £500 and £100,000 for good causes in England, Scotland and Wales and re-opens for applications (for East & West Midlands) from July 8th to August 23rd. Criteria are quite broad, and can include capital purchases, delivery of workshops and youth activities. Click here for more.

Community Forum budgets 2013/14
Local Communities can have up to £5,000 available this year to invest in local improvements of their choice.  We are looking for projects that can be delivered by March 2014. Applications should be in three weeks before your local decision night, so call us now to find out your dates. More here. (Deadlines vary around early May)

Government backed start-up loans for entrepreneurs aged 18-30
With the help of the government and Chairman James Caan, over £100 million is available to help kick-start and support a new generation of entrepreneurs, aged 18-30. Clients get access to: A qualified business advisor to help them create a viable business plan, Workshops to assist them in developing their plans and understanding how to run a viable business, Access to loan finance at 6% APR to be paid back within 5 years, with an optional 1 year holiday, Access to a volunteer business mentor over a 9 month period (with option to extend) The loans are from £500, with no maximum loan value, although we expect most to be under £10,000 probably closer to the £3,500 mark, dependant on business sector and need. Click here for more.

The G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance
The G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA) is a global network of young entrepreneurs and the organisations that support them. It was established to convene each year in advance of the G-20 Summit, with the aim of championing the importance of young entrepreneurs to the G20 member nations and to share examples and practices. The G20YEA Summit this year will be held in Moscow, Russia, June 15-17th. Contact helen.gale@youthbusiness.org at Youth Business International for more information, or click here.

Carnegie UK Trust: Test Town UK
The Carnegie UK Trust has announced the launch of a new £10,000 competition for young people to help rejuvenate town centres. ‘TestTown’ is a new competition for young people throughout the UK aged between 16 and 25 to put forward their own ground-breaking ideas to redesign the future UK high street. The top 10 finalist teams with the most exciting ideas will be shortlisted in April with the climax of the competition taking place across three days in Dunfermline, Scotland this June. The 10 teams will take over vacant town centre space and trade with real consumers. For more info, visit http://www.testtown.org.uk/. Deadline 3rd May

Baring Foundation
The Baring Foundation is an independent grant maker which began funding (amongst other areas) arts organisations and projects within the broad theme of Arts and Older People in 2010. Information on the 2013 application process will be announced towards the end of April via their website. They have also published a free report: 'After you are two: Exemplary practice in participatory arts with older people', which can be downloaded here.

School for start ups Business Launcher loans
Launcher is a unique new business startup finance programme for entrepreneurs. We offer new business owners aged 18-30 access to world-class teaching, a supportive community, regular mentoring and some of the easiest startup funding available in the UK. If you are a British citizen or legal resident of England and between 18 and 30, you can apply for this business finance. Up to £10,000 available. Click here for more.

Arts Council England Environmental reporting deadline, 31st May
In January 2012, Arts Council England made environmental reporting a funding obligation for all major revenue funded programmes: National Portfolio Organisations, Major Partner Museums, Museum Development Partners and Bridge Organisations. Organisations must complete an environmental policy and action plan, and report their carbon footprint using Julie’s Bicycle's IG Tools. Julie’s Bicycle are partnering with the Arts Council and are offering a range of free services to assist organisations in meeting this deadline. Click here for more.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation Open Grants
The Arts Open Grants Scheme supports work that increases people's enjoyment, experience and involvement in the arts.  All applications to the Arts Open Grants scheme must relate to this theme. Our grants aim to enable organisations to experiment with and develop new ways of engaging with audiences and participants. There is no minimum or maximum grant size, we are unlikely to fund 100 per cent of the costs, awards last year ranged from £8,500 to £320,000. There are no closing dates. Click here for more info.

The Idlewild Trust
The Idlewild Trust is a grant making trust that supports registered charities concerned with the encouragement of the performing and fine arts and crafts, the advancement of education within the arts and the preservation for the benefit of the public of lands, buildings and other objects of beauty or historic interest in the United Kingdom. Grants up to £5,000. See here for more. Deadline 20th September.

NESTA Digital R&D Fund for the arts
The Digital R&D Fund for the Arts is a new fund to support research and development projects that use digital technology to enhance audience reach and/or explore new business models for organisations with arts projects. A maximum of £125k is available to projects involving an arts organisation, a researcher and a technology provider. Find out more here.

Nectar Small Business Awards
Small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises throughout the UK are invited to apply for the Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2013. Categories include Small business of the year, Start up of the year, Innovation of the year, Contribution to the community, Entrepreneur of the year, Tradesperson of the year. The expert panel will award £2,000 cash, 50,000 nectar points and national media publicity. Deadline 30th May 2013. More info here.

Audience Agency Face-to-Face Surgeries
(Limited spaces remaining) Thursday 11 July, 10am-4pm. De Montfort University, Innovation Centre, LE1 5XY. Taking place across England, these 90 minute sessions will give you access to bespoke advice and practical support from our team. Free to NPOs and £90+VAT for Non-NPOs, these are surgeries can be used to create an action plan as a follow up to one of our workshops or can be used as stand alone support to lay the ground work for an audience development plan. For more information and to book, go to http://www.theaudienceagency.org/events/surgeries-leicester

Arts Administration Apprenticeship Scheme
Need an extra pair of hands? Learn how an Arts Administration Apprentice could support your business, or how you could share an apprentice with other small businesses. Contact us for free and straightforward advice and to find out about a grant of £1500 for eligible employers. More information here or contact Karen Preston 0116 2670068 / karen.preston2@leics.gov.uk

The Fidelio Trust Grants Programme
The 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. Read more at: http://www.fideliocharitabletrust.org.uk/index.php. Deadline, 1 June

Free venue and opportunities for your club/group!
LCB Depot is starting a new venture called 'Club Club' - a city centre space where groups of all shapes and sizes can run taster sessions, develop audiences and network. We're looking for multiple groups to share our spaces at LCB Depot to run their (free/cheap) public workshops over the course of a Saturday, learn from each other and hopefully gain some new members or fans! Currently we have such diverse groups as Lo-Fi (analogue photography), Freeskilling (practical skills for free), and Tech Startups (who'll be initiating hackathons amongst other things). But we'd love you to get involved too! Whatever you're group does if you want to know more and think this is the sort of thing that might work for you please get in touch with chris.slowe@lcbdepot.co.uk.

Everyday Participation
Understanding Everyday Participation – Articulating Cultural Values, a large-scale project to research how people participate in culture, sport and other social and civic activities in their everyday lives. The research aims to develop new ways of understanding and measuring participation and its value based on how people live their lives today and what is important to them. The project is a collaboration between four universities and twelve national partners and is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council until 2017. For more information see the Everyday Participation website at www.everydayparticipation.org

The Ernest Cook Trust
Registered charities, schools and not-for-profit wishing to encourage young people's interest either in the countryside and the environment, the arts or aiming to raise levels of literacy and numeracy can apply for funding to the Ernest Cook Trust. The Trust operates two grant making programmes.  The small grants programme (under £4,000) supports state schools and small registered charities which would like to undertake projects which meet the Trust's objectives and require a small amount of pump-priming in order for such projects to take place. The next closing date for applications for the large grants programme is the 31 July. Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/cwmguwb