creative

Creative Industries

Creative industries form a growing and diverse sector in North Somerset, comprising artists, event companies, photographers, musicians, design agencies, writers, and much more. Image: Mark Gray

North Somerset Council

The council has developed a draft NS Creative Industries Support Plan v11 which identifies priorities and the actions the council will take.  To help your business we are:

  • promoting business opportunities for enterprises and freelancers
  • representing the sector at a strategic level within the council
  • promoting work and career opportunities in creative industries
  • setting up a forum of creative practitioners to inform support and raise the profile of the sector in North Somerset

We have created some sector guidance documents:

For more information contact the Economy Team:  business@n-somerset.gov.uk

Image: Trigger’s The Hatchling Photo by Carl Robertshaw

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Providers of business support

North Somerset Enterprise Agency runs comprehensive business start-up courses, workshops and 1 to 1 specialist advice session.  To find out more:  https://northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk/

West of England Combined Authority provides fully funded business growth programme for creative enterprises and freelancers; to find out more: https://www.wearegrowth.co.uk/homepage-module-financial-and-business-support/financial-and-business-support/creative-scale-up/creative-sector-growth-programme/

Culture Weston delivers programmes of cultural activities and events in Weston-super-Mare and across North Somerset and provides a creative and professional development programme for freelancers and monthly Creative Meet-ups.  To find out more:  https://cultureweston.org.uk/

Image:  Spray Jam Photo Mark Gray

Creative and Cultural Membership Organisations

Weston Artspace provides space for members to create, rehearse, work and meet, delivers funded arts projects and runs exhibitions and open days.  To find out more: https://www.westonartspace.com/

North Somerset Arts promotes artistic and cultural activities by professional and amateur artists, signposts to financial support, engages with businesses on how arts can support businesses, organises events for members.  To find out more:  https://www.northsomersetarts.org/

Visual Arts South West promotes exhibitions and events, publicises opportunities and shares documents, insights and tools.  To find out more:  https://www.vasw.org.uk/

Image: Arcadia Spectacular’s Spider  Photo Ben Daure

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Workspace

The Stable:

  • provides creative workspace in Weston-super-Mare aimed at start-up businesses
  • provides room hire for events and meetings
  • runs a board games pub
  • houses a café serving breakfast, brunch and lunch

To find out more:  https://www.thestable.online/

Image: West of England Combined Authority

Careers and Education in Creative Industries

Weston College/University Centre Weston:

Employers are involved in the design of courses through the Creative Careers Excellence Hub, ensuring college students gain the skills required to secure careers in industry. Contact employers@weston.ac.uk to discuss ways in which your business can access future talent.

Image: Culture Weston

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Resources

Creative and Cultural Skills

Industry Placements

Weston College has hundreds of talented students that can support you with projects, and through their Industry Placement Programme, students can offer an extra pair of hands and apply their skills alongside their course.  For further information visit click here or email employers@weston.ac.uk

Research and Reports

Image:  Finelinelighting

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