Introduction

On the morning of 22nd May 2013, over 200 students from 11 different schools and colleges arrived at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts, to take part in Creative Journeys Hereford: Meet the Professionals.

So what was it?

Creative Journeys Hereford: Meet the Professionals was a unique opportunity for KS4/5 students, and their teachers/ lecturers, to meet and talk with real creative professionals in order to gain a true insight into working in the creative and cultural sector. We brought together professionals from around the local area, and from a range of disciplines, in order to give students the insider knowledge they need to start out in the sector.

Students in the Arts & Craft and Design panel discussion using voting cards to show their thoughts on the issues being discussed

The Format
Arrival

Schools sign in their students who have pre-booked places

Introduction

Introduction and presentation about careers in the sector

Panel Discussions

Students move to their chosen panel discussions

Break

A chance to look at career stalls and have-a-go activities

Q & A Session

All panelists for final Q & A session. A chance for students to speak to professionals who they havent yet seen

Introduction
The morning began with an introduction and presentation in the main theatre. This gave students an insight into what the morning would be all about. The presentation covered: The types of jobs people do; The skills and qualities people need; The first steps people take to get work in the creative and cultural sector. It also acted as a brief on how to get the most out of the event: Ask Questions! Record Comments! Gather Top Tips!

For further information about creative careers see the following links: www.creative-choices.co.uk www.creativeskillset.org/careers www.creativealliance.org.uk www.growingambitions.tes.co.uk

The Panels
Students could choose to participate in one of four panel discussions...

ARTS & CRAFT AND DESIGN Adrienne Tully, Hereford College of Arts Ben Barnes, Ninetyfive Creative Clare de la Torre, Tinsmiths Guy Marson, modus creative Jon Williams, Eastnor Pottery Nick Dummer, morphPOD/ Spacescape FASHION & TEXTILES Alan Sharman, Alan Sharman Agency Amy Twigger Holroyd, Keep & Share Jacob Kimmie, Jacob Kimmie Martha Tobyn, Jaeger Sunny Todd, Hereford College of Arts MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE Ben Peer, Freelance Events Manager Hayley Duce, Sunshine Radio Leoni Linton, brightstripe

DIGITAL MEDIA/ BROADCAST Adrian Lambert, The Rural Media Company Chris White, HerefordCollege of Arts Claire Wozencroft, V8Media Dan Haworth-Salter, Dan Salter Photography Natasha Carlish, Dreamfinder Productions

Tamsin Fitzgerald, 2Faced Dance Toki Allison, The Courtyard/ Nozstock The Hidden Valley

Panel Discussions - Questions

Students were encouraged to write down any questions they had for the professionals, along with any surprising comments they had heard, and the best top tips they had received. These were written on the backs of cards, which also doubled as Yes, No and Maybe voting cards for students to give their opinions on working in the creative and cultural sector.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced when starting up your own company?

How long did it take you to get to where you are today?

Can you imagine doing anything outside of the creative and cultural sector?

Is who you know more important than what you know?

What type of qualities do you look for in your employees?

Are you happy with the job you have or do you wish you chose something different?

Panel Discussions - Comments

Whats the most interesting or surprising comment you have heard today?

u o Y Y D.I. be o t e v ha to t n e d n e p e d n i d e e c c su

You dont always work in the subject y ou have a degre e in

You can get star ted in the creative sector witho ut qualification s

n to r a e l o , et e v d a i s h s u es n i Yo s u b the e t v a i t k a o e r lo ec h t s a l as wel side

The d ream m ay not happen - keep option your s open o

Panel Discussions - Top Tips

A small selection...

Be prepared to deviate from your planned path. Experiment, be open minded and dont be frightened of failure. Most importantly, always keep learning.

Go out and do it for yourself ask questions and research what youre interested in. Take every opportunity to talk to and learn from practicing professionals.

Jacob Kimmie, Fashion Designer

Dan Haworth-Salter, Photographer

Amy Twigger Holroyd, Knitwear Designer-maker

In the Break
During the break there were a range of activities for students to participate in. This included: - Taking part in film activities with young
people from The Rural Media Company and John Kyrle High School. was recorded to be turned into a piece of timelapse footage. apprenticeships and local college and university courses. breakout area.

- A collaborative live drawing piece with which

- Market stalls to find out more about creative

- Finding all of the Top Tips cards around the

Above: Students speaking to 2Faced Dance about courses and careers in dance and the creative sector. Right: Students contributing to the live drawing piece.

Feedback
From the Teachers:
The variety of workshops and the quality of the advice given was very inspirational. The question and answer sessions were very successful. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to absorb the wealth of knowledge and experience from the diverse range of professionals involved. Overall, a very enjoyable experience and one that we will hopefully be lucky enough to be part of again.

From the Professionals:

It was a key moment to see the next generation of artists and practitioners mixing with a current group of professional artists and organisations. To bring together a collection of young creative individuals and provide them with a platform to access information from real people in the industry and watch them walk away with enthusiasm and belief was success in itself. I wish I could have attended something similar at school age Im sure the young people would have got loads out of the event.

It ensured students understood the importance of volunteering and being self- I liked the emphasis on D.I.Y, all the motivated. speakers on our panel spoke about getting experience, hammering on doors and informal routes.

Links
- Keep up to date with Creative Journeys on the official

Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Journeys-Hereford-Meet-the-Professionals/655297594495654

Here you will also find all of the professional profiles of our panel members.
-

Explore more about the event on our Creative Alliance page:

http://www.creativealliance.org.uk/casestudies/cjhereford

Watch the Creative Journeys Hereford film online here:

http://vimeo.com/70487964 (Film produced by The Rural Media Company)

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Photography by Nathan Spencer - www.nathanspencer.co.uk

Report produced by Sam Jones of Creative Alliance. With Thanks to: The Creative Professionals: Adrian Lambert, Adrienne Tulley, Alan Sharman, Amy Twigger Holroyd, Ben Barnes, Ben Peer, Chris White, Claire Wozencroft, Clare de la Torre, Dan Haworth-Salter, Guy Marson, Hayley Duce, Jacob Kimmie, Jon Williams, Leoni Linton, Martha Tobyn, Natasha Carlish, Nick Dummer, Sunny Todd, Tamsin Fitzgerald and Toki Allison. Angela Hind and Ruth Richardson of Arts Connect West Midlands. Grant Brisland and all of the staff at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts. Nic Millington and all of the staff from The Rural Media Company. Helen Vine and Grace Gallagher of Hereford College of Arts. Annie Millen of Brightstripe

For more details about this project and our other work go to www.creativealliance.org.uk Contact: Email: Phone: info@creativealliance.org.uk 0121 224 7308