A spotlight on Creative Careers
Creative Careers Week 18-22 Nov 2024
The opportunity to experience arts, culture and creativity can launch some young people into creative industries as a career choice. Overall, this sector contributes over £108bn to the UK economy, supports heath and wellbeing, democracy and social cohesion. Creative Careers Week Find your perfect role in the creative industries - Creative Careers is an annual opportunity to celebrate and highlight the rich and varied creative opportunities open to all.
Sadly, recent research by the Sutton Trust A Class Act - The Sutton Trust found, amongst other data, that younger adults from working-class backgrounds are 4 times less likely to work in the creative industries compared to their middle-class peers. ChalleNGe partners are working to reduce this type of inequality and this section highlights Nottingham people working in a range of creative roles and shares their advice to young people considering a career in the creative sector
Charity Sector: Young Creatives Nottingham
Alice Veldtman: Project Co-Ordinator, Young Creative Awards
How did you get there?
I used to work in the Corporate Social Responsibility team for Boots, working with lots of national and local charities. I gained lots of experience in organising events and workshops, and really enjoyed it. In 2018 I attended the Young Creative Awards (YCA) as a guest and was amazed at the incredible talent we have in Nottingham. After I left Boots, I noticed Young Creatives Nottingham were looking for some support to organise the awards and workshops, so I jumped at the chance!
What do you do?
I help organise the Young Creative Awards (YCA) which is an annual event that takes place at Nottingham Playhouse. This involves working with lots of different partners and sponsors of the awards, helping to raise awareness of the awards and how to enter, answering email queries, and booking in creative practitioners to work at the awards, such as photographers. I also help organise creative workshops for previous YCA winners or entrants to deliver in schools or colleges. This helps support their careers as Creative Practitioners whilst supporting more young people to explore their creativity.
What do you love about your job?
I love seeing all the entries to the Young Creative Awards. There is so much incredible talent, across so many different creative disciplines. It’s wonderful to see how people who entered and were either shortlisted or won the awards have gone on to build their creative careers. I also love working with the partners across the city - we have a really supportive creative community in Nottingham.
What would you say to a young person considering a creative career?
Go for it! It takes time to build any career, so my advice is to never give up. Continue to create and share your work so others can see it. Entering the Young Creative Awards is a great opportunity to have your work noticed and recognised, but also to meet other creatives across the City, and start building a network to help support you.
Entries are now open for the Young Creative Awards Welcome to The Young Creative Awards | Nottingham Young Creatives (Closing Date 24 March 2025)
