News From Creative Launchpad

Hello Pete

Creative Launchpad are once again preparing for the end of a project, this time in Derby, but we’ve got lots to tell you. In this bitesized newsletter, we focus on job vacancies and upcoming training that those of you working in an established business won’t want to miss. For those of you who, like me, didn’t realise it was a bank holiday on Monday, you might want to use the time to do something cultural. Saturday is a good day for arts activities in Ilkeston and Long Eaton:

Future/Past, featuring some artists from the collective Tether, opens at Erewash Museum; and you can meet Arts Professionals from across the East Midlands at an event called Natter over the Garden Fence hosted by Standing Room, Harrington Mill Studios, provided you book your free place. If you are intending on applying for your work to feature in the Wirksworth festival art trail, you only have until 12th May 2008, so you could use the bank holiday to prepare your application.

Next week, CIN, is hosting a social evening on Thursday 8th May at Derby Dance (Déda) for anyone involved in the performing arts business. See CIN's website for more details.

A quick update from us: as well as continuing to offer our service in partnership with Business Link in the West Midlands, we’ve also had our Derbyshire project extended until the summer, so we can see existing businesses based in High Peak, Derby City, South Derbyshire, Derbyshire dales, Erewash and Amber Valley. Call us now to make your appointment: 0115 9503730!

Have a great bank holiday!

From all the team at Creative Launchpad

CREATIVE LAUNCHPAD OPPORTUNITIES

Creative Launchpad in the West Midlands, based at the Custard Factory, are looking for the following individuals to join our team:

Project coordinator/business advisor
Up to £27K
A flexible, experienced and motivated person to coordinate delivery of the Business Link specialist provider contract across the Region as well as providing excellent business advice on a 1-2-1 basis to our clients.

Business advisor
Up to £25K
A positive self-starter with experience of delivering excellent business advice and training, as well as a passion for the creative industries.

Project Administrator
Up to £16.5K
An efficient, friendly and organised multi-tasker with a drive for excellence.

Closing date is 12th May 2008. A full job description and application form for each post can be found on the careers tab on the Tribal website: http://www.tribalgroup.co.uk/

Access to Finance

An intensive FREE day-long seminar aimed at businesses that have been trading for eighteen months who are looking to attract funding to help their enterprise grow or develop. The session will help you move to the next stage with your business. You’ll develop;

* A clear idea of what your business is about and the direction you want it to head in
* A straightforward business plan that will serve as a daily guide and will form the basis of future funding applications
* A broad understanding of the funding available to you
* A clear direction for your business and an action plan to help you achieve your goals

The seminar will be delivered by Jonathan Archard, Creative Launchpad business advisor. Jon has years of experience of both sides of the funding application process, having spent a great deal of his career in commercial banking as well as making successful applications to public sector funders for community regeneration projects. Jon will share his wide experience of successful funding applications with tips and tools to help you put together and present an irresistible pitch that funders just can’t turn down. Previous attendees really rated the session, commenting:

“Excellent, interesting, informative: Excellent Facilitator – communicating clearly”

“Extremely useful information. Well presented and thought provoking”

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with a business advisor after attending the workshop, who will give you practical help to turn your plans into reality.

The sessions will be running in May and June in venues in Birmingham and Coventry. To book your FREE place on one of these invaluable sessions or to find out more, please email info@creativelaunchpad.co.uk or call 0845 303 7375

The sessions will run on these days in these areas:

22 May 2008: Birmingham - The Bond, 10am start
25 June 2008: Birmingham - The Bond, 10am start
26 June 2008: Coventry - The Herbert, 10am start

Creative Launchpad continued!

The Creative Launchpad have received some additional funding so that they can continue to deliver 1-2-1 business advice, guidance, sign-posting for existing creative businesses.
Unfortunately due to the restrictions from our funders, we are not paid for seeing people we have seen previously (but I'm sure we can still point you in the right direction if you pop into the office or drop us an email).

So if you know anyone who needs some advice or just a great sounding board, send them to studio 1.1.

Sadly Kelly has moved on to pastures new (she starts a new job in Leicester on 19 May) and has taken her plants with her but Jon, Bianca and Carla will still be on hand. Call us now to make your appointment: 0115 9503730!

The additional funding was provided through Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and CIN.

JOBS
Front of House Manager – Town Hall Theatre Scale SO1/2 £23,749 - £27,594 Ref L403 (Subject to Job Evaluation review implementation when this will rise to Scale SO2 £26,067) Positioned in the heart of Loughborough Town Centre this popular and well attended venue has an exciting and lively programme; delivering theatre, concerts, comedy, exhibitions, with restaurant and bar facilities.

We are looking for someone to effectively manage the front of house operations at the theatre so as to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction and a safe and comfortable environment. With previous experience in duty management of a public venue you should have excellent written and verbal communication skills together with a sound financial awareness and good budget management skills. You must also have a flexible approach to working hours as you will be required to attend evening meetings and arts events.

An information pack is available online at www.charnwood.gov.uk or by email: personnel@charnwood.gov.uk or tel: 01509 263258 (24 hour answerphone). All vacancies are also advertised on www.charnwood.gov.uk Closing date: 9 May 2008

Centre Manager, Peak District, Derbyshire

First Movement is the leading arts organisation in the East Midlands working with learning disabled people.

Have you helped run a building used by the public?

The Level Centre is a new arts building that launches in Autumn 2008. First Movement seeks a Centre Manager to run this exciting project. S/he will plan, promote, programme, manage, and monitor activities to ensure the smooth running of the building.

Salary £21,196, hours 37 ½ with occasional weekends or evenings. Job share is an option.

For eligibility and further details email: fmt@first-movement.org.uk Closing date for submissions 9am Wednesday 14th May, interviews Thursday 22nd May.

Theatre writing partnership General Manager and Producer Theatre Writing Partnership unearths, supports, inspires and works for a rich, diverse and innovative new writing culture in the East Midlands.

TWP is seeking an experienced arts professional to enable the strategic development of the organisation and be responsible for management of the day to day administration of TWP and its diverse activities.

The successful candidate will have excellent project management, financial and administrative skills and experience of managing and delivering arts events.

Salary in the region of £22 – 24k. This post is based in Nottingham. Closing date: Tuesday 20th May. For an application pack visit our website - www.theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk or contact TWP on 0115 947 4361 / info@theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

Organisational Development Freelance Consultant
£5000
Escape: Community Art in Action is an established charity started ten years ago, offering an integrated service using participatory arts to provide a platform to respond to community needs at a local level, benefiting people living in isolation for a variety of reasons and offering people with limited opportunities a chance to make a difference www.escapeworkshop.co.uk

Further information is available upon request; please contact Robin Wade at robinwade@clayworks.co.uk

Dadline for applications: May 30th 2008

Wanted: freelance After Effects designers Fat Free Media is a premiere Creative Video Agency specialising in corporate films and visuals for businesses throughout Europe. For the launch of our Nottingham Offices, we are now looking for freelance After Effects designers for project work from June.

For more information please e-mail Neil on neil.rostance@fatfreemedia.co.uk