NESTA's Creative Pioneer Programme has grown by more than a third since its pilot year in 2003 and is now open to applicants with degrees from the art and design, architecture and also the moving image sectors [1]. It aims to support up to 50 individuals this year, 20 more than in 2003, offering them a paid three-week course at the Academy – where they will learn business and entrepreneurships skills - and the opportunity to win £35,000 in funding.
At the Academy individuals will learn how to take an original business idea and turn it into a workable business proposition. They will come face-to-face with creative entrepreneurs who have experienced what it’s like to set up a business. They will learn business principles; explore entrepreneurship, personal and professional development and receive coaching to build self-confidence.
Up to 30 of those attending the Academy will then go on to win Pioneer Awards of up to £35,000 to start their own business, and receive the ongoing support of a NESTA mentor. This is double the number of awards that were available for the pilot year.
Applicants can have recently left college, or been working in the sector for the last couple of years, as long as they graduated no earlier than May 2001. They should possess obvious talent, an original business idea and an ability to think laterally about how the creative industries can enhance quality of life and solve real world problems.
NESTA is looking for applicants who are not be afraid to put themselves on the line and who will demonstrate an ambition to further the role that the creative industries can play in the UK economy.
Hugo Manassei, Creative Pioneer Director, said:
“Creativity doesn’t need to end when a degree show does. NESTA is looking for individuals who have graduated in the last three years, who are maybe even working within the sector already, but who want to apply their creativity in setting up unique new businesses in the creative industries.”
“This sector is an important growth sector for the UK economy, and is estimated to employ 2 million people. But it could do so much more if more people working in the creative industries were given the skills and support to succeed as entrepreneurs. That is what the Creative Pioneer Programme is designed to do, by investing in the next generation of creative pioneers.”
The deadline is the 14th September. For a full list of criteria and to download an application pack, go to:
www.nesta.org.uk/theacademy
