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Creative UK Manchester offers tailored business support for creative and cultural practitioners, freelancers, organisations and SMEs based in Greater Manchester. 

Led by experts in the industry there is practical and helpful business advice for everyone. Over the course of the programme, we will be hosting 1:1 support, open access masterclasses, alongside workshops to support cohorts of enterprises to take a deep dive into specialist areas. 

Participation in the programme is fully funded through the European Regional Development Fund and the programme is delivered in partnership with Manchester Growth Hub and Northern Powerhouse.

Upcoming activity:

Mentoring Scheme

Mentoring Scheme

Creative UK: Manchester have launched a new mentoring scheme aimed to provide bespoke one-to-one support to creative and cultural practitioners, freelancers and organisations from any creative field or artistic discipline, who are based in the Greater Manchester region.

This scheme is designed to build confidence and support participants to develop better communication skills, to expand your imagination, perspectives and ideas. As a mentee on the programme, you will be able to tap into the wisdom of skilled experts, have access to a supportive sounding board and someone who will be able push your boundaries in a safe space.

Find out more and apply

The Games Lab – Secrets from the InsidersRegister now

The Games Lab – Secrets from the Insiders

Up your game at The Game Lab! Do you work in the Games Industry? Are you looking for a way to get your vision noticed and take the next step?

‘The Games Lab – Secrets from the Insiders’ is an unmissable workshop aimed at anyone based in the Greater Manchester Region and working in the Games and interactive sectors looking for professional insight into this fast-paced industry.

The workshop is designed to take you through Brand Development, Publisher Pitching and Talent Management facilitated by course leader Gina Jackson OBE and a selection of industry experts.

The in-person workshop will be taking place over 2 full days on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023 at Chamber Space 2nd Floor, Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD

Find out more and apply

Mentoring Scheme

Creative UK: Manchester have launched a new mentoring scheme aimed to provide bespoke one-to-one support to creative and cultural practitioners, freelancers and organisations from any creative field or artistic discipline, who are based in the Greater Manchester region.

This scheme is designed to build confidence and support participants to develop better communication skills, to expand your imagination, perspectives and ideas. As a mentee on the programme, you will be able to tap into the wisdom of skilled experts, have access to a supportive sounding board and someone who will be able push your boundaries in a safe space.

Find out more and apply

The Games Lab – Secrets from the Insiders

Up your game at The Game Lab! Do you work in the Games Industry? Are you looking for a way to get your vision noticed and take the next step?

‘The Games Lab – Secrets from the Insiders’ is an unmissable workshop aimed at anyone based in the Greater Manchester Region and working in the Games and interactive sectors looking for professional insight into this fast-paced industry.

The workshop is designed to take you through Brand Development, Publisher Pitching and Talent Management facilitated by course leader Gina Jackson OBE and a selection of industry experts.

The in-person workshop will be taking place over 2 full days on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023 at Chamber Space 2nd Floor, Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD

Find out more and apply

Past activity:

How to be a Successful Freelancer/ Business Owner

How to be a Successful Freelancer/ Business Owner

Are you a Greater Manchester-based creative freelancer or SME who is eager to grow and learn how to successfully run your business?  

So often creatives find themselves dedicating more of their valuable energy to creating than to the running of their businesses – but now is the time to find simple strategies to take control of the whole picture and become unstoppable. 

How to be a Successful Freelancer/Business Owner is a 6-week mini cohort here to teach you the fundamentals of creating a memorable business plan, how to effectively reach your target audience, practical marketing sales strategies, managing your finances and preserving your work/life balance. 

All of our interactive sessions will be taking place online via Zoom starting from Wednesday 8th June 11-1pm and continue every Wednesday for a total of 6 weeks led by Claudia Mayer. 

Register here to take part: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-be-a-successful-freelancerbusiness-owner-tickets-337330192687  

Blueprints for Film & TV

Blueprints for Film & TV

Do you work in the Film & TV Industry? Are you looking for a way to get your vision noticed or take it to the next step but just don’t know how? Look no further as this September, Creative UK: Manchester present a brand new workshop designed to take you through the journey from Development to Distribution facilitated by course leader Angus Finney.

Blueprints for Film and TV is an unmissable free intensive workshop aimed for anyone based in the Greater Manchester Region and working in the Film and TV subsector looking for professional insight into this fast-paced industry. Participants will gain industry knowledge about building a sustainable business model and the demands and challenges facing content makers in the current climate. Angus will be giving expert advice on business planning, the complex landscape of finance and distribution and how to pitch and present your story.

Date: The in-person workshop will be taking place over two full days on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd September 2022 at Manchester School of Art.

Catering: Refreshments and lunch will be provided on both days.

The deadline for registrations is on Thursday 15th September at 5pm.

Find out more and register here: Creative UK Manchester: Blueprints for Film & TV Tickets, Wed 21 Sep 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Breaking Into Podcasting

Breaking into Podcasting

Date: Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November 2022.

Location: Media City, Manchester

Wondering what all the podcast hype is about? Ever wanted to launch your own podcast? Or perhaps you’re looking for another platform on which to communicate with your clients and followers, or a catalyst for collaboration?

Breaking into Podcasting’ is a 2-day intensive development workshop in partnership with Audio Always aimed at creative businesses and individuals based in the Greater Manchester region. Across the 2 days we’ll give you an insight into all things podcasting. From learning how to create your own podcast format that suits you, to recording perfect audio, to getting your podcast heard by listeners. To top it all off you will receive hands-on experience in a fully equipped professional studio, right here in MediaCity.

This two-day workshop will be a mix of interactive seminars, guest interviews, workshops and practical training from the Audio Always team.

• Formats and Examples – An Introduction to Podcasting across the globe

• Meet the Podcasters: Interviews with hosts and Q&A sessions

• Studio Training: Microphones, Headphones and more

• Creating Your Podcast: Practical recording workshop

• Launching, Marketing, & Distribution: monetisation of your new product

Find out more

How to be a Successful Freelancer/ Business Owner

Are you a Greater Manchester-based creative freelancer or SME who is eager to grow and learn how to successfully run your business?  

So often creatives find themselves dedicating more of their valuable energy to creating than to the running of their businesses – but now is the time to find simple strategies to take control of the whole picture and become unstoppable. 

How to be a Successful Freelancer/Business Owner is a 6-week mini cohort here to teach you the fundamentals of creating a memorable business plan, how to effectively reach your target audience, practical marketing sales strategies, managing your finances and preserving your work/life balance. 

All of our interactive sessions will be taking place online via Zoom starting from Wednesday 8th June 11-1pm and continue every Wednesday for a total of 6 weeks led by Claudia Mayer. 

Register here to take part: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-be-a-successful-freelancerbusiness-owner-tickets-337330192687  

Blueprints for Film & TV

Do you work in the Film & TV Industry? Are you looking for a way to get your vision noticed or take it to the next step but just don’t know how? Look no further as this September, Creative UK: Manchester present a brand new workshop designed to take you through the journey from Development to Distribution facilitated by course leader Angus Finney.

Blueprints for Film and TV is an unmissable free intensive workshop aimed for anyone based in the Greater Manchester Region and working in the Film and TV subsector looking for professional insight into this fast-paced industry. Participants will gain industry knowledge about building a sustainable business model and the demands and challenges facing content makers in the current climate. Angus will be giving expert advice on business planning, the complex landscape of finance and distribution and how to pitch and present your story.

Date: The in-person workshop will be taking place over two full days on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd September 2022 at Manchester School of Art.

Catering: Refreshments and lunch will be provided on both days.

The deadline for registrations is on Thursday 15th September at 5pm.

Find out more and register here: Creative UK Manchester: Blueprints for Film & TV Tickets, Wed 21 Sep 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Breaking into Podcasting

Date: Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November 2022.

Location: Media City, Manchester

Wondering what all the podcast hype is about? Ever wanted to launch your own podcast? Or perhaps you’re looking for another platform on which to communicate with your clients and followers, or a catalyst for collaboration?

Breaking into Podcasting’ is a 2-day intensive development workshop in partnership with Audio Always aimed at creative businesses and individuals based in the Greater Manchester region. Across the 2 days we’ll give you an insight into all things podcasting. From learning how to create your own podcast format that suits you, to recording perfect audio, to getting your podcast heard by listeners. To top it all off you will receive hands-on experience in a fully equipped professional studio, right here in MediaCity.

This two-day workshop will be a mix of interactive seminars, guest interviews, workshops and practical training from the Audio Always team.

• Formats and Examples – An Introduction to Podcasting across the globe

• Meet the Podcasters: Interviews with hosts and Q&A sessions

• Studio Training: Microphones, Headphones and more

• Creating Your Podcast: Practical recording workshop

• Launching, Marketing, & Distribution: monetisation of your new product

Find out more

Survive & Thrive: Growing Your Creative Business During Uncertainty

Survive & Thrive: Growing Your Creative Business During Uncertainty

A fully-funded 12 hour business support programme designed for freelancers and Small or Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the creative sector.

The stronger your business is, the less likely it is to be affected by risks or unforeseen events, which is fair to say has been an ongoing theme of the past few years! This series of online workshops aims to give creative businesses in Greater Manchester a robust toolkit to survive – and hopefully grow – in 2022 and beyond.

Survive & Thrive: Growing Your Creative Business during Uncertainty is a 6-week mini cohort here to help your creative business with resilience. This course is being taught by Advantage Creative and weekly guest industry experts. Topics covered will include strategising, building a team, securing investment or developing new partnerships. From self-employed studio creatives to directors of production companies – Survive & Thrive is designed to support professionals from any creative subsector to make informed decisions about your growth during these uncertain times.

Find out more

Survive & Thrive: Growing Your Creative Business During Uncertainty

A fully-funded 12 hour business support programme designed for freelancers and Small or Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the creative sector.

The stronger your business is, the less likely it is to be affected by risks or unforeseen events, which is fair to say has been an ongoing theme of the past few years! This series of online workshops aims to give creative businesses in Greater Manchester a robust toolkit to survive – and hopefully grow – in 2022 and beyond.

Survive & Thrive: Growing Your Creative Business during Uncertainty is a 6-week mini cohort here to help your creative business with resilience. This course is being taught by Advantage Creative and weekly guest industry experts. Topics covered will include strategising, building a team, securing investment or developing new partnerships. From self-employed studio creatives to directors of production companies – Survive & Thrive is designed to support professionals from any creative subsector to make informed decisions about your growth during these uncertain times.

Find out more

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