Support for creatives
We are here to support local creatives and ensure a thriving cultural ecology for Bedfordshire.
Below you can find a number of initiatives to support and network artists, producers, project managers, and all those working or studying in the creative industries in Bedfordshire.
Creative Bedfordshire
Creative Bedfordshire is a FREE network for bringing the creative and cultural industries in Bedfordshire together to connect, learn, share and debate.
If you work, study or volunteer in the creative arts or industries in Bedfordshire then you can set up a profile on the Creative Bedfordshire website to get started. You can connect to other creatives, upload your own news and events, find out the latest news from your peers, start forum discussions and receive a weekly newsletter using the site.
The network is run collaboratively by a consortium of partners called the Bedford Cultural Partnership and funded by Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council.
We run quarterly networking events through Creative Bedfordshire called Creative Exchange. Creative Exchange is a free evening event where 2-3 local creatives can give a brief presentation about their work, a project or a theme they want to discuss with others. It’s also just an opportunity to network and natter with local creatives and make new friends.
Sessions are promoted on Creative Bedfordshire and BCA’s social media channels. If you’d like to speak at a Creative Exchange event, or have an idea for a good topic of discussion, please contact info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk
Producer Hub
We are working with producer-led arts organisation, 1DegreeEast, to provide a Producer Hub for Bedford.
Bedford Producer Hub aims to support practitioners creating a diverse range of projects which benefit local participants and audiences and are relevant to local needs and wants.
We are recruiting a cohort of up to 10 practitioners who are looking for sustained support to develop their projects and careers. Between November 2023 and July 2024, we are offering a free programme of 5 face to face gatherings, regular one-to-one advice, 4 networking events and 4 learning seminars. Practitioners who become part of the 23-24 cohort will also receive a mini-commission bursary as match funding towards their developing projects.
The Producer Hub is an initiative run by 1DegreeEast, a producer-led arts organisation that supports artists, producers, and programmers to create high-quality work through mentoring and advice to develop projects and produce new work. The Bedford Producer Hub is delivered in partnership with Bedford Creative Arts. Together
they aim to enable creativity and nurture talent in Bedford.
How to Join the 23 – 24 Cohort.
If you are interested in joining the 23-24 cohort the application process is simple. Please send us a written proposal (no more than two-sides A4), a video or audio proposal (no more than five minutes) to Producerhub@bedfordcreativeart.org.uk by 9am on Monday 6th November.
Your proposal should give us a short background to you and your work, what you would hope to gain from being part of the 23-24 cohort and what project you would like to focus on – this can be at an early concept stage or more fully developed but would benefit from the support of experienced arts professionals.
We welcome applications from all people, and we are keen to ensure the 23-24 cohort is representative of Bedford’s diverse communities. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you’re interested in accessing the Producer Hub, please contact Elaine Midgely at Producerhub@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk.
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