At the tail end of 2022, Baltic Creative CIC teamed up with Make CIC on a pilot programme of nine Creative Enterprise workshops. Make designed the workshops to support the arts and creative sector across the Liverpool city region, enlisting local creative professionals to lead on the topics covered. The programme focused on a range of topics including selling art and craft online, tips for running an exhibition, starting your own creative business, pricing your online products, getting started on Instagram, building your online community, running a great workshop and accessing funding.
Support for Artists & Creatives
The workshops had a fantastic impact both socially and economically, with over 55 attendees from Liverpool, the Wirral, St. Helens, and Sefton. The programme also supported eight independent artists, makers and creatives with paid work to deliver the sessions. In total, the programme provided 12 hours of free learning support to artists, makers and businesses in the creative sector.
The participants joined at different phases of their journey, with 58% of the people just starting out in their career. The topics provided a vital insight into running your own creative practice or businesses; along with free up-skilling to those attendees already in employment.
Inclusivity in the Creative Sector
Inclusivity was at the heart of the Creative Enterprise workshops. The location, in Baltic Creative’s Shed, was specifically chosen to be an accessible space, so there were minimal barriers for attendees. 15.5% of attendees were from a Black, Asian or Minority ethnic background; and varied in age from 20-29 (20.3%) to 60-69 years (13.6%).
Becky Seaman, Marketing & Communications Officer at Baltic Creative said:
“We were proud to partner with Make CIC and sponsor this programme of workshops; providing an accessible space for creatives to learn and grow their businesses. The outcomes of the sessions are undoubtedly positive, shown by the results and feedback from attendees. It was a pleasure to work with Make CIC to nurture talent and support future growth in the city region. Hopefully we’ll see some of the attendees back here one day as tenants!”
Alison James, Enterprise Manager at Make CIC said:
“At Make CIC, our main aim is to help people turn their passions into prosperity and this was at the forefront of our Creative Enterprise Workshops. We worked closely with established local artists to set up the programme and identify the topics that would make the most impact for creatives just starting out and those wanting to upskill. It was brilliant to see so many people of all ages and walks of life come together to learn new skills and share experiences in a supportive environment. We’re grateful to be able to contribute to the wider network of support for creatives across the Liverpool City Region.”
Future Workshops
Make CIC’s are planning more Creative Enterprise Workshops for their new space in Huyton Village and in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. You can find out more here.
They are also looking for local businesses and organisations to sponsor the programme. Please contact Alison James (AJ), Enterprise Manager at Make CIC on [email protected] if you want to help local creatives on their journey to success.
