Creative Opportunities: September 2023
Your monthly round up of news, events, opportunities, call-outs and funding
Hi friends,
As summer draws to a close and another academic year starts, we invite you to ponder what new skills you might learn between now and Christmas.
Will you boost your SEO skills this Friday by attending a workshop with local copywriter Helen Reynolds?
Will you learn how to get creative with technology on Monday at Kings Manor?
Or will you learn about the impact creative media has on our city at REIGNITE on 14th September?
Whether it’s one of these, or another workshop / course / seminar of your choosing, we invite you to invest in yourself over the coming months by stretching your abilities and developing your potential.
We all need a little nudge once in a while - here’s yours!
Stay curious, keep creating.
Ben & team YC
xxx
Discover how to harness the power of Google for your business, and climb the rankings without paying for ads.
Join us in this workshop led by Helen Reynolds, founder of Ink Gardener Copywriting. She will share 25 years’ experience of writing for digital platforms, creating content for everything from holiday cottages to cathedrals.
£10 general admission • £5 student / low income • £1 NODE members
(A usual session with Helen is £97!)
Creative Drinks: Our Regular Monthly Social
Friday 1st September 18:00 - 22:00pm // SPARK:York // £4.00
Whether you're a student, a young professional, a seasoned pro, or a retiree - all are welcome! (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Digital Creativity: Getting creative with technology
Monday 4th September 10:00am - 11.30am
The King’s Manor, Exhibition Square
Free admission
Led by a digital inclusion, skills and creativity expert from University of York’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, this 90-minute session will explore new and old approaches to creativity and the exciting opportunities that digital technology presents within the creative industries.
There will be expert-led discussions and talks and time to explore your own creativity, with no prior knowledge or experience required. The session forms part of the Adult Learning in York Week.
Sharing of works: York Art Workers Association welcomes Leeds Animation Workshop
Monday 4th September 19:30 - 21:00pm
Southlands Methodist Church
£5 admission fee
Leeds Animation Workshop is an independent, no-for-profit women’s co-operative, working collectively to create short films that highlight social issues with insight and humour.
In this session, members of the Workshop will share examples of their work and engage in discussions and Q&As with their audience. It’s sure to be an enriching and insightful evening.
Workshop: Just Write!
Wednesday 6th September, 13:30pm - 15:00pm
The King’s Manor, Exhibition Square
Free admission
In this free taster session, led by University of York’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, you will be taken through a series of fun exercises to kick-start your imagination, play with story-telling, and learn key writing tips.
No prior knowledge of experience is required. This session forms part of the Adult Learning in York Week.
NODE September Meet-up: Production Design with Anna Pritchard
Wednesday 6th September 19:00pm - 21:30pm
City Screen Basement Bar
£4.00 entry fee
We are very lucky to be joined by Anna Pritchard, Production Designer on the trailblazing BBC / HBO show Gentleman Jack and the forthcoming Ballad of Renegade Nell for Disney+.
We'll be discussing the role of the Production Designer and Anna's career from Art Department to Art Director and Production Designer on varied prestige shows including Broadchurch, Endeavour, Trigger Point, Vanity Fair , Top Boy and Little Birds, to name a few.
Join us for a fascinating insight into Anna's process from script to screen, no doubt touching on the City of York's starring role in Gentleman Jack, where there'll be an opportunity to ask questions and as always network with our local filmmaking community!
Our Creative Summer: Easy Sculpture
Tuesday 12th September 10:00am - 12:30pm
Tang Hall Explore Library
Free admission
In this free creative workshop, local artist Gemma Wood will introduce the art of creating small scale 3D sculptures using recycled materials.
Gemma has created life sized illuminated sculptures of Polar Bears from recycled plastic milk cartons for light festivals across the UK and will guide attendees through the step-by-step process of creating sustainable sculptures.
The workshop is open to adults of all abilities. No previous experience is required and all materials will be provided.
Reignite - Growth through Creativity: The Economic Impact of Media Arts
Thursday 14th September 18:00pm
Radisson Hotel, York
No admission fee
Join York City of Media Arts for an evening of informative and engaging discussions and installations as they shine a light on the economic impact of York’s media arts industry.
The evening will also create networking opportunities and will encourage discussions around how best to leverage York’s UNESCO status to attract inward investment and develop new career paths and opportunities.
Admission is free but spaces must be reserved in advance.
York Printmakers Annual Print Fair
Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th September 10am - 5pm
The Chapel and The Harriet Room, York Cemetery
Free admission
York Printmakers Annual Fair returns in September, where 26 local artists will be exhibiting and selling their hand-printed original works.
The artists will be on hand to chat about the prints and the variety of techniques used to make them, including linocut, collagraphs, woodcut, screen printing, stencilling and etching.
Meet your Digital Culture Network
Tuesday 26th September 13:45 - 16:00pm
The National Centre for Early Music
Free admission
Throughout Autumn, the Digital Culture Network is hosting a series of events for organisations and individuals from the creative and cultural sector looking to engage with the network and learn more about the free support they offer.
There is no booking fee but spaces are limited so pre-booking is essential.
Creative Space for Mothers with For Modern Mothers
Every Tuesday 1:00 - 2.30pm
The Poppleton Centre, York
£9 per sessions, subsidised places are available
These feel-good, relaxed and supportive creative sessions for ALL mothers offer a little 'creative escape' in your week. Come along for some simple, fun, mindful creative exercises along with lots of relaxed chat and a cuppa.
The sessions are open to all mothers and mothers-to-be. Bring babies and children along or come solo. This is all about being absorbed in something that is for you, and finding a little pocket of calm within the stress and business of motherhood or pregnancy - all in a really welcoming space.
No experience is required. All creative materials are provided along with copious amounts of tea, coffee, biscuits and chocolate.
Funding Opportunity: Youth Music NextGen Fund
Deadline for applications Saturday 29th September
Open to applicants living in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
There is no application fee
Youth Music recently announced the opening of the latest round of the NextGen Fund. The Fund is for early-stage musicians and wider music adjacent creatives to invest up to £2,500 in their own projects and make their ideas happen. The fund is especially aimed at those whose lack of finance holds them back from pursuing their goals.
It's open to 18–25-year-olds (and up to 30-year-olds who identify as d/Deaf or Disabled) who live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Full eligibility criteria and applicant guidance can be found at the link below.