NESTA looking for creative pioneers

• music
• Performing Arts
• Photography
• Architecture
• craft
• creativity
• Fashion
• fine art
• entrepreneur
• Film & TV
• Leisure Software
• Publishing and Radio

The Creative Pioneer Programme exists to encourage individuals involved in the process of creativity and who are in the early stages of their careers (up to five years out of graduation) to become creative entrepreneurs. It offers access to knowledge, expertise, training, support and business funding.

A different approach

The Programme itself is a pioneering endeavour. As well as investing in the growth of creative enterprise, it also promotes a completely new way of thinking about business and acquiring business skills. It’s an unconventional programme. It’s designed to meet the needs of creative people who are not interested in ‘learning’ about business; whose thinking styles demand alternative methods of approaching business concepts and skills development.

The Programme’s aim is to nurture imaginative thinkers who will become tomorrow’s role models, individuals who will design new products and services, in new ways, for new markets and change the way the creative industries develop in the UK.

Funding

The Creative Pioneer Programme is one of a variety of projects through which NESTA invests directly in creative individuals. In 2005/6 the Programme will spend and invest over £2.5 million. This funding comes from NESTA’s endowment from the National Lottery Fund, which was increased to £250 million in 2003. It is the income from this endowment that provides the financing for projects like the Creative Pioneer Programme.

The following conditions apply:

• You must have completed your higher education studies within the last five years, i.e. after May 2000.
• You must have either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a subject related to the Creative Industries. These include Advertising, Architecture, Craft, Design, Digital Media, Fashion, Film & TV, Fine Art, Leisure Software, Music, Performing Arts, Photography, Publishing and Radio’
• Or have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a different discipline and have worked in the Creative Industries for a minimum of one year.

How to Apply

When you apply to The Academy you need to be aware that you are applying for a place on a training programme – not for funding. After attending The Academy you will be eligible to put your business proposal forward for a Creative Pioneer Award but funds are limited, so not everyone will be successful in their application. Only people who have attended The Academy will be eligible to apply for funding.

The Academy will help you to develop and progress your business idea and most Pioneers recognise that the value of the programme lies in The Academy itself.

If you wish to apply for The Academy you will need to send them a completed application form and examples of your work (as outlined in the Application Support Notes).

A panel of industry specialists, professional training and development experts, business analysts and members of the Creative Pioneer Programme team review all applications. Short listed candidates will be invited to an interview.

Academy 2005/6 timetable

Please note that these dates are not as yet confirmed. They will be confirmed by 1 August 2005 and published on the NESTA website.

http://www.nesta.org.uk/theacademy/home.html