It’s taken a while to adjust to being in lock-down. Now there are signs that we need to start thinking about how to come out again, so how can we gradually rebuild our working lives and businesses in this new world?
Our first step towards this is a week of online workshops and events to support professionals and creatives. We kick off on Monday with a choice of two workshops that will help you get to grips with marketing, social media and websites – one aimed at creative businesses, and the other at individual creatives. On Wednesday, if you haven’t tried Instagram yet, you can find out how to get started with Joe and Richard from the Colonnade House team and on Friday there will be a live Q&A with One Bum Cinema and local animators.
And there is more! Read on to find out……
Marketing, Social Media, Press for small creative businesses
Monday 11 May // 19.00 – 21.00 // £15
Anne-Marie has worked in the arts industry for over 16 years and understands how important it is for creative businesses to get themselves in front of the right audience – whether that be via editorial, emails, print, online or social media.
In this Zoom workshop, she will be sharing her knowledge of marketing and how you can make the most of the different marketing platforms to get your message across, so if you are wondering how to prepare your business for a return to the new world, this is for you.
Bringing the world to your work
Monday 11 May // 19.00 – 21.00 // £15
Sol Design Collective is a community of more than 1000 artists and makers, and have been running face to face and online workshops for more than 2 years helping hundreds of artists take action, amplify their presence and move their practice forward. This Zoom workshop is for artists, makers and creators who are looking for ways to increase the visibility of their creative practice. With a focus on how to present your work, and templates to help you plan and save time, this is a must for any creatives who are looking to sell their work.
Instagram Zero to Hero!
Wednesday 13 May // from 16.00 // Free
Everyone keeps telling you to set up an Instagram account, but how does it work???
Join Richard and Joe on our YouTube channel and find out how to take your first steps to get yourself set up on this popular social media platform. Their film will be available on YouTube from 16.00 onwards.
Live Q & A with team One Bum & animators
Friday 15 May // 10.00 – 17.00 // Free
One Bum might be the world’s smallest cinema but it has big plans and an impressive line-up of animation talent to share. This Worthing venture has been growing fast at a time when animation is just getting more and more exciting. Join Matt and Paulie for this live Q&A to talk about all things animated.
Dad La Soul Virtual playdate
Saturday 16 May // 11.00 – 13.00 // Free
Last Saturday the first Dad La Soul Virtual playdate saw 22 dads and 25 kids from across the UK, France and Spain spending two hours together on Zoom.
We had Lego challenges, families in different countries got to play together, we made the dads dress up in their most embarrassing clothes and did some graffiti/drawing. We also shared private conversations and stories of what it is like to live with Autism.
Most importantly we had a quiz and a scavenger hunt that included some of the difficult questions of the day like ‘How many loo rolls have your parents stockpiled?’
Why not join in at home? It’s completely FREE!
There is so much good stuff going on during this crisis – it gives a sense of hope in what sometimes feel like very difficult times. Here are a few of the many:
Creative digital businesses helped to set up this page of support for the NHS.
Shake it Up Creative is offering free marketing support during COVID-19.
Subway EPS have free mask patterns available to collect from outside their building in Newland Rd, Worthing.
The daily Drink & Draw is still going strong – there’s a new theme every evening at 6.30.
There is also some help at hand:
The Creative Industries Federation has partnered with Crowdfunder on the Pay It Forward campaign. This initiative provides creatives with the tech and tools to pre-sell tickets, products, bookings, services and more, allowing them to generate cash right now, to be redeemed against services after the crisis.
Applications open on 7 May for the Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund for visual artists which offers hardship grants between £1500 and £2500.
The Creative Industries Federation is offering free membership for 6 months to all freelancers, self-employed workers, and micro businesses as part of their #OurWorldWithout campaign which calls on the government to support the creative industries.
And, more locally, Always Possible have lots of useful advice for creatives on their website, as does Adur & Worthing Councils.