Cultural Producers Programme
Transform your passion into profession with Creative Newham's new training programme
Starting in Summer 2024, our Cultural Producers programme offers months (part-time) of paid in-depth training and development to help you enter the arts, heritage, health or environment sectors as a producer ready to put on a whole range of creative and cultural events.
As one of the Cultural Producers on the programme, you will build up skills and knowledge through:
- workshops and training delivered by industry experts covering topics from turning ideas into reality, managing budgets and reaching target audiences
- mentoring and coaching
- placements in a local organisation where you will gain hands-on experience putting on real events
- opportunity to put on your own event as a group at a local festival
The programme is free and open to Newham residents aged 18-30 who have worked or volunteered in any cultural or arts-related organisation, and who have the passion and drive to pursue a career in this field.
You will be paid the London Living Wage for your time participating in the programme.
See below for our upcoming Summer workshops to support you with the application process and ensure that you feel prepared to begin your journey as a Cultural Producer.
We will be selecting 14 Cultural Producers for this year’s cohort which runs from 23 October 2024 to 5 May 2025 on a part-time basis.
The application deadline is 5 September 2024 and interviews will take place in late September / early October.
What does a Cultural Producer do?
A Cultural Producer makes things happen in a range of industries and sectors, including the cultural sector. They are the person who pulls the strings behind the scenes, collaborating with artists, technical staff and others to bring cultural events of all kinds to life.
Cultural Producers are all-rounders, so training to be one means developing a broad range of skills, from learning how to create podcasts and short films, to managing budgets, to public relations.
Is the programme for me?
The Cultural Producer Programme is open to any adult currently living in Newham, who has worked or volunteered in any cultural or arts-related organisation, and who has the passion and drive to pursue a career in this field.
The aim of this project is to empower individuals from the local community to become the next generation of cultural leaders in the borough. We particularly encourage applications from people underrepresented in these industries – including those from the global majority, those with disabilities, and those with socio-economic difficulties – as we believe it’s important that the Cultural Producers are representative of the diverse communities that make up Newham.
Testimonials from our alumni Cultural Producers (pilot programme 2022-23):
"The programme was exceptional and really did the job of making us into cultural producers."
"The combination of classroom learning, the placement, and mentoring gave a very solid overview of the industry."
"I’m more willing to apply for producer roles now … I feel I could apply for those jobs whereas I didn’t really feel like that before.
"I believe I am a Cultural Producer now, so I act like one."
If you would like to find out more about the programme, or how we can support you with your application, contact us at culturalproducers@uel.ac.uk
Summer Workshops
Join us for our free upcoming workshops to meet new people, learn creative skills and get a taste of what it will be like on the Cultural Producers Programme!
Immersive Filmmaking Weekend (18-30 year-olds) - applications closed
For potential applicants to the Cultural Producers Programme in 2024, this unique weekend programme offers you the opportunity to meet industry professionals, develop your own filmmaking skills and work with professional actors to create your own short film exploring the theme of Strengths and Weaknesses. It will help you as an applicant learn how to tell your own story in your own individual way, using accessible filmmaking technology and skills which will serve you in future, wherever you want to apply. This is an ideal taster giving you a real sense of ’can do’ as you consider applying to join us.
Especially designed for those interested in applying for the Cultural Producers Programme.
For 18-30 year-olds.
Dates: 24 August - 25 August (2 days)
Location: Eastside Educational Trust, 37 Hackney Road E2 7NX. We are only a short walk from Bank, Liverpool Street, Old Street, Hoxton, and Shoreditch High Street stations.
Led by: Eastside
Local bus routes: The following bus routes stop at the Columbia Road bus stop on Hackney Road outside our front door:
No 26, No 48, No 55
Project Ubuntu (17-19 year-olds), dates TBC
Project Ubuntu is a unique, inspirational programme exploring how culture, creativity and collaboration can play a part in tackling some of the most challenging issues facing society and our lives today. Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'. It reminds us that 'I am what I am because of who we all are', and this will be the guiding principle of the programme which will consist of daily creative activities encouraging you - individually and together as a group - to think about:
- who you are now
- who you want to become
- how you might get there
- what obstacles might be getting in your way
- how you can start seeing those challenges as opportunities to improve
This programme will encourage you to find out more about yourself and your community and can support your future application to our Cultural Producers programme (a six month paid training opportunity).
This is a Creative Newham programme, managed and delivered by UEL’s School of Arts and Creative Industries.
This programme is funded and supported by
