Absolutely Cultured launches free 12-month support programme for 15 creatives living in Hull and surrounding areas.
INTER_CHANGE is a new, free to take part, 12-month programme which will support up to 15 local creatives at the start of their careers.
It is aimed at people aged 18 and over, living primarily in Hull and surrounding areas, who are in the beginnings of a career in the arts and looking for professional support and guidance.
Beginning in June 2021, those taking part can benefit from mentoring, peer to peer sessions, exchange visits with other creative practitioners and organisations in the North of England. INTER_CHANGE will also offer a series of masterclasses covering topics such as funding opportunities, making applications and budgeting. At the end of the programme, participants will showcase their work at Humber Street Gallery.
To support as many people as possible, a number of digital advice sessions will also be made available for creative practitioners who are not part of the programme. To encourage national networking and collaboration, a small number of places will be allocated to artists outside of the local area.
The programme builds on two initiatives previously run by Absolutely Cultured along with partners in the city and the North of England- Fruit Factory Network, established in 2018 which was previously for visual artists, and Hull Independent Producers Initiative which has been running since 2017. INTER_CHANGE brings these together into a revamped twelve-month programme which this time is not artform specific but open to anyone who considers themselves a creative practitioner.
Roisha Wardlaw, Learning and Participation Manager, Absolutely Cultured said: “INTER_CHANGE is about increasing opportunities for people in the local area to progress creative careers and to not have to move away from Hull to do so. We believe that continuing to increase access to this kind of support is key to overcoming the challenges and barriers we know can often exist for those trying to get a foothold into the creative industries. Getting the foundations right will lead to a thriving, sustainable and world-class local cultural sector”.
Along with real practical support, INTER_CHANGE provides an environment to share ideas and to build stronger networks that can open up opportunities, lead to collaboration and enable the exchange of work in and out of Hull.
INTER_CHANGE is made possible and is free to take part thanks to funding from Arts Council England and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Those interested in applying can express interest through an online form (or by alternative format such as video via artistsupport@absolutelycultured.co.uk) no later than midnight, Sunday 6 June 2021.