A first-of-its-kind survey across Hull and East Yorkshire has captured the breadth and ambition of creative freelancers across the region – as well as identifying key barriers and opportunities.
The survey was carried out by WAC (We Are Creative), and is unique in focusing on freelance creatives living and working across the Hull and East Yorkshire region.
“Our survey shows that our region’s creatives are both ambitious in their creative pursuits and clear about the types of support they need”, says Vickie Bisstt, a founder and Steering Group member of WAC, who designed the survey and analysed its findings.
“They want better access to networks, training, coaching, and resources like spaces and funding. These findings are crucial for guiding our future activities, and we hope they’ll prove useful to other partners, who we hope to work with to support the region’s cultural sector to flourish”.
The survey was made possible with the support of HEY Creative and East Riding Arts. “We’re pleased to have supported WAC’s important work to understand our region’s freelance creative workforce”, HEY Creative’s Chief Officer Max May shares
“With a higher proportion of freelancers working in arts, culture and heritage than any other sector, it’s vital that their development is front and centre when we consider how creativity can thrive across Hull and East Yorkshire”.
The survey reveals the wide range of artforms present in the area: nearly a third of those surveyed work in the performing arts as actors, dancers, musicians or singers, whilst a similar percentage work in the visual arts as painters, sculptors and mixed-media creators. Writers, playwrights and journalists make up a fifth of those who completed the survey, while 16% worked as creative producers, educators or directors.
Training needs
The survey offers insights around the training needs of regional freelance creatives. The highest demand is for support in writing funding applications, alongside business and marketing skills. There’s also a strong desire for practical workshops to develop creative skills across all artforms, along with a need for improved access to spaces and venues in which to create, exhibit, perform or showcase work. Respondents also want ongoing networking opportunities and almost half (44%) expressed interest in mentoring and coaching schemes.
Young and emerging talent
Hull and East Yorkshire has more than its fair share of bright young talent. The survey shows over half of all respondents are either starting out as artists, or emerging in their chosen career. There was a healthy spread of respondents across all age groups, with almost a quarter being between 16 and 34. This proliferation of younger creatives is particularly positive, as they represent strong potential for the region’s longer term creative vibrancy.
The way forward
The findings will inform We Are Creative’s strategies, interventions and programmes moving forward, and will contribute to HEY Creative’s upcoming wider workforce and skills analysis. Together, these will offer insights and direction for future regional arts policy, with We Are Creative and HEY Creative committed to working in partnership with other regional stakeholders to shape future ambitions for skills development for arts, culture and heritage.
You can find out more about We Are Creative and read the full survey report at www.wacnetwork.co.uk
We Are Creative is a networking and support organisation for freelance creatives living or working in Hull and East Yorkshire. Membership of We Are Creative is free and you can join by emailing wearecreativehey@gmail.com
HEY Creative is the Cultural Compact for Hull and East Yorkshire, developing the region’s arts, culture and heritage through partnerships with business, education, healthcare and more. Learn more about their work at www.hey-creative.co.uk