Creative Bedfordshire – Rural Business- Networking April 2017

6th April 2017 7 - 9pm Sharnbrook

WELCOME TO CREATIVE NETWORKING APRIL

Creative Networking is delivered by Bedford Creative Arts and is free of charge to attend thanks to the support of Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council.

Supported by

WHAT IS CREATIVE NETWORKING?

Creative Bedfordshire monthly networking events take place across Bedfordshire and bring together creative people to network and develop their businesses. Who is new?

If you work (or aspire to work) in the arts, run a creative business, are a freelance artist, actor, producer, maker or musician (or commission them), this network is for you.

WHO IS CREATIVENETWORKING FOR?

Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup

Follow us online:

Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

WAYS TOKEEP IN TOUCH

RURAL BUSINESS

We have inspiration from Harrold based artist Jo Atherton, who sees no boundaries in going further afield with her work. And as a group, we will have a frank conversation about the issues and needs of creative business in rural areas.

SAY HELLO

We are a very friendly network. We are chatting about what we are in to and what we are up to. It’s all about understanding each others skills, collaborating and voicing our needs. We are not pitching at each other. Relax and enjoy the evening.

SHOUT OUTYour chance to tell us about your work and needs

OUR HOST

Sandra DartnellAssociate Producer for Bedford Creative Arts

Self employed Customer Experience Consultant at ThinkingCX

Sandra has been self employed

for 3 years, and works on how the

key point of value can be

communicated to customers.

Sandra lives in Leighton Buzzard

@SandraDartnell

SPEAKERGive it up for tonight’s speaker

OUR SPEAKERS

Jo Atherton

Jo is an artist working with objects gathered on the UK coastline. She uses exhibitions, talks and online contributions to forge collaborations and further her work.

Jo lives in Harrold

joatherton.com

@flotsamweaving

JOATHERTON

When moving from London to a North Bedfordshire village, was I limiting my opportunities?

Working with found objects gathered on the UK coastline has always placed me in a disconnected location, not living on the coast. I have never considered this be be a disadvantage.

Example of flotsam weaving and the networks I rely on to help me source materials

Example of print work which has enabled me to step into a more conceptual way of working and reach out to groups which would not necessarily step into a gallery.

Exhibitions will only offer limited context and are focused on the very end of the creative process. Competition is high for opportunities, think more creatively about sharing work, building connections and generating revenue.

Every stage of the creative process has a value. This frees the artist from geographical constraints and immediately broadens appeal - techniques, materials, inspirations. One feature I wrote led to many opportunities, even now three years later.

Involve people in your creative process. Offer experiences alongside finished work.

Seek out opportunities to talk about the journey and inspirations which lead to your finished work. A feature in a magazine or journal has more longevity than a two week exhibition and will arguably reach more people.

Your creative journey can be just as interesting, if not more so than the finished work.

A shift in the focus of my finished work to a more process driven approach has provided me with some fascinating opportunities. Writing Fifty Things has enabled me to connect with a wide ranging and broad collection of people, such as speaking at University of Cambridge.

Think beyond the gallery. Value exists in writing, demonstrating and talking about your work. Why am I an artist? Great to share ideas and work to different groups of people. Locally, opportunities will soon become saturated.

Creative practice is multidimensional. You will soon exhaust local resources if only interested in exhibiting your work. Build networks and be prepared to share your journey.

SAY HELLO

LET’S TALK ABOUTRURAL BUSINESS

RURAL BUSINESS

This time last year I asked this question

WHATARETHENEEDSOFRURALCREATIVEBUSINESS?

Asetofneedsarose…

networking / shared peer-experience to grow business and combat isolation

affordable workspace in particular artist studios

venues for exhibition and display

infrastraucture for example fibre optic coverage and maintaining post offices

Discuss

CONTEXT

Nesta, Rural Innovation Report, 2007

Nesta (formerly NESTA, NationalEndowmentforScience,TechnologyandtheArts)isaninnovationfoundation.

https://www.nesta.org.uk/sites/default/files/rural_innovation.pdf

Definitions

We are comparatively accessible in Bedfordshire


Creative industries as innovation inputs in the consumer sectors


Creative Industraties as Innovation Enablers


Diversification of the land-based economy


A local example from Creative Networking last year. The Design Orchard in Clophill, LEADER funding and BRCC

Place-making


Knock –on: Changes in conditions outside rural areas



More Information https://www.facebook.com/WiRE.Southill.BEDS

WiRE Manifesto http://www.wireuk.org/about-us/manifesto/


Brand Design Tender Opportunity

http://bedsrcc.org.uk/2017/03/28/invitation-to-submit-a-tender-for-creating-a-brand-for-the-greensand-country

We now need create a brand for the Greensand Country; a logo; branding guidelines and a marketing and communications plan.If you would like to submit a tender for this work, please ask for further details from: [email protected] Poulton.Programme ManagerGreensand Country Landscape Partnership


Check out Circus of illustration upcoming events in particular upcoming professional development event on 10th April http://www.circusofillustration.com/events.html

Ready Steady Roll next pop up board game café happening in Sharnbrook9th April. Check out https://www.facebook.com/readysteadyrollUK/

Amanda Silk introduced her ceramic workshops and the Hey Clay! event https://www.facebook.com/events/442582599417911/

My Girl the River coming to The Stables 27th April. Full list of dates and to buy tickets http://www.supertinyrecords.com/mgtr


Leigh Hopkins told us about North Beds Arts which offers classes for groups and her own private commissions https://www.facebook.com/NBAartschool/

Catherine Elworthy told us about http://www.elworthyflowers.co.uk and also new venture https://freshflowerfriday.co.uk/

Claire Merrick made a call out for creatives to approach Chellington to deliver workshops http://www.chellington.org/

• BUSINESS NEWSLETTER

Business advice and information from Bedford Borough Council

http://www.bedford.gov.uk/business/business_support_and_advice.aspx

• ACCESS TO FINANCE• START UP SUPPORT

• LET’S TALK BUSINESS

Business advice and information from Central Bedfordshire Council including a one page summary of business advice sources with links to each

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/business/timebank/news-events.aspx

• BUSINESS TIME BANK• BUSINESS TOOLKIT

BUSINESS GROWTH SUPPORT

Velocity provides networking with other businesses and cutting edge information / guidance on a range of growth themes. They hold a number of free workshops across the South East Midlands area.

www.velocitybusinesssupport.com/

CULTURE CHALLENGE

The Culture Challenge is a project devised and led by Bedford Creative Arts to enable more young people to experience and make arts and culture. Designed for and with teachers it provides a directory of creative and cultural providers that are experienced at working with schools. Artists, cultural organisations, and schools can become Culture Challenge members.

Become a member http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/culture-challenge/

Bedford Creative Arts are currently looking for Part-Time Finance Manager and an adventurous and digital-savvy Marketing and Development Manager. Ongoing the Bedford Creative Arts Board of Trustees is seeking enthusiastic and experienced professionals to join them to help develop and support our work as Trustees.More information http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/jobopportunities/

15th June 2017 7 - 9pm Houghton Regis

CREATIVE NETWORKING JUNE

Follow us online:

Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup

THANK YOU.ANY QUESTIONS?LIKE TO BE A SPEAKER?WANT TO FEEDBACK? TELL US HOW WE HAVE HELPED YOU…

[email protected] Dartnell – Associate Producer

Creative Bedfordshire – Rural Business- Networking April 2017

Business

Transcript of Creative Bedfordshire – Rural Business- Networking April 2017