Resources for Graduates in Wales : Cultural Enterprise Factsheet
Contents
1.Introduction
Below is an overview of schemes and funding specifically designed for recent graduates, and a list of organisations that provide services for graduates and young people. This list does not include general assistance that is available to all those working in the creative industries. Further information on general funding schemes is included in our online factsheet Financing Your Creative Business and further contacts for organisations delivering support to small businesses and the creative industries can be found on our links page
2. Schemes
@Wales Digital Media Initiative
Provides specialized business development support for innovative, high growth early stage businesses; and is a part of the incubation chain strategy in Wales to accelerate the growth of SMEs. Contact: 029 2044 4777 / www.atwales.com
BBC Talent
The BBC Talent scheme aims to assist comedians, presenters, musicians, writers, film makers and performers further their creative talents. The main aim of the scheme is to uncover raw talent, so passion is favoured over formal qualifications or experience. Contact: www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent
BOS Direct - Start Up for Young People 18-30
The scheme offers pre-start support to 18-30 year olds in the form of one-to-one business assistance, help with funding applications and market research, mentoring sessions, and subsidized specialist assistance. Contact: 0808 160 1830 / www.menterabusnes.com
Ideas Factory
Run by Channel 4, the Ideas Factory offers careers and training advice in the following areas: Art and Design, Music and Sound, Performance, Business, Funding and Awards, Film and Television, New Media, and Writing. Contact: www.ideasfactory.com
Knowledge Exploitation Fund (KEF)
KEF is designed to promote collaboration between industry and educational institutions and to build enterprise skills among students and staff. An Enterprise "champion" will support graduates' new start-up businesses, establish support networks, enable access academic research to create commercial products, exploit intellectual property developed in the educational institution, and build enterprise into the curriculum. Graduates setting up businesses can qualify for scholarships of up to £144 per week to help them in the early stages of the business. Contact: the Entrepreneurship Champion at your nearest Welsh university
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
KTP is a Department of Trade and Industry initiative designed to help companies access the expertise of university staff and graduates. Up to 60% of the total project costs can be funded under the scheme. With the help of a partner university, a company defines and agrees a 1 - 3 year project that will enable it to draw on the expertise and apply it to the business. Contact: 0870 190 2829 / www.ktponline.org.uk
Knowledge Catalyst
Run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the scheme aims to make such activities accessible to organisations for whom the KTP scheme is not appropriate, for example charities, not-for-profit organisations and some publicly funded bodies. Projects of between 3 and 15 months can be supported, and the AHRC will fund 60% of the cost of successful projects. Contact: 0117 987 6500 / www.ahrc.ac.uk
NESTA
The Creative Pioneer Programme exists to encourage individuals involved 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. Contact: 020 7645 9500 / www.nesta.org.uk/theacademy/home.html
Shell LiveWIRE
Shell LiveWIRE provides information, advice and practical support for 16-30 year olds starting up their own business. One-to-one advice is delivered through a national network of local business advisers and young business mentors. The Shell LiveWIRE website also contains a learning section, library, forum, finance action planner, and information on the £10,000 prize, Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Contact: 0845 757 3252 / 0191 423 6229 / www.shell-livewire.org
Wales Spinout Programme
The Wales Spinout Programme offers start-up assistance for people wishing to set up a business in Wales where there is a close ongoing relationship with a Welsh Higher Education institution. Contact: 029 20338122 / www.spinoutwales.co.uk
Taste of Enterprise
Located at the recently renovated Newport Indoor Market, Taste of Enterprise offers a place where up to 25 businesses can test trade, business incubation units, business support information and advisers. There is also an upper floor area for exhibitions, events and performances. Contact: 01633 254117 / www.centreforbusiness.co.uk
Technium Challenge
Technium is a network of flagship technology centres that enable knowledge-based start-up and spin-out companies to realise their potential. The Technium Challenge is an annual business planning contest which allows new enterprises to compete for a fast-track route into a Technium. Contact: 01443 845500 / www.technium.co.uk
3. Funding
Genesis Foundation
The Genesis Foundation is a UK-based charity created to support young artists in a variety of art forms, including theatre, dance, opera, symphonic institutions, chamber music, creative writing, film arts and the more popular forms of art and culture where suitable. Genesis aims to become involved in projects that provide a springboard into a career. Contact: www.genesisfoundation.org.uk
Hattori Foundation
The foundation aims to assist talented young instrumentalists, soloists between 21 and 27 or ensembles with an average age not exceeding 27, whose talents and achievements give promise of an international career. Selection is by audition. Contact: 020 8944 5319 / www.hattorifoundation.org.uk
Tillett Trust
Funds are directed towards assisting outstanding young classical musicians at the start of their professional solo careers and to help them obtain performing experience. Contact: 01363 777844 / www.thetilletttrust.org.uk
4. Organisations
Arts Council of Wales (ACW)
ACWexists to develop the arts in Wales through managing grant schemes to support the arts and by developing strategies and partnerships to increase arts provision. Contact: 029 2022 1447 / www.artswales.org.uk
Arts Training Wales
An independent organisation providing professional development services for people working in the arts throughout Wales Contact: 029 2056 9898 / www.a-t-w.com
Business Eye
Business Eye is a free, impartial information service for Wales created to find answers to business questions. Contact: 08457 969798 / www.businesseye.org.uk
Creative & Cultural Skills
The Sector Skills Council for advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, performing, literary and visual arts. It is an industry-led organisation that campaigns for the delivery of skills and support that employers, artists and freelancers need. Contact: 020 7089 5866 / www.ccskills.org.uk
Creative Industries Research and Innovative Centre (CIRIC)
A new initiative at the University of Swansea that provides support to creative practitioners, researchers, educators and entrepreneurs who reside within the Objective One area of Wales. Contact: 01792 481241 / www.sihe.ac.uk/ciric/
Design Trust
The Design Trust is a registered charity which promotes the excellence of British design and helps designers with business training after they leave college. The Trust's website is aimed at students and recent graduates and includes The Design Trust's Business Start-Up Guide, information on awards, competitions and other news. Contact: 020 7320 2895 / www.thedesigntrust.co.uk
Go Wales
GO Wales is a business development and employability programme which is run by Welsh Universities. Schemes include placements, Continuing Professional Development and GO Wales Jobs. Contact: www.gowales.co.uk
Menter a Busnes
Menter a Busnes runs a number of schemes aimed at increasing levels of income and economic activity, as well as promoting the Welsh language in business, including Ffatri Fenter (Enterprise Factory) which aims to helping people under 40 to start and run experimental companies for a specific period of time. Contact: 01970 636565 / www.menterabusnes.com
Skillset Cymru
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the UK Audio Visual Industries (Television, animation, photo imaging, film, radio and interactive media). Its mission is to encourage the provision of demand led training and vocational education, which meets the needs of the Audio Visual Industries in Wales. Contact: 029 20 590 621 / www.skillset.org/uk/cymru
Wales Co-operative Centre
Provides practical, hands on business advice and consultancy, including business planning, financial forecasting, funding application advice, business skills, co-operative and credit union training, and a full legal registration service. Contact: 029 2055 4955 / www.walescoop.com
5.Useful Links
www.a-n.co.uk : A-N Artists information company website
www.artquest.org.uk : advice and information for artists
www.aais.org.uk : Association of Archaeological Illustrators & Surveyors job shop
www.the-aop.org : The Association of Photographers has downloadable careers advice and a job shop
www.bjphoto.co.uk : Photo College includes advice for graduates
www.dandad.org : British Design & Art Direction representing the UK's thriving design and advertising communities
www.prospects.ac.uk : the UK's official graduate careers website, including career profiles, advice and information
www.thestage.co.uk/connect/howto/ : advice on the theatre profession
© Cultural Enterprise 2005