Funding and Creative Industries
This page provides links and information on funding, sponsorship, employment and training opportunities for those working in the creative industries sector.
Local Sources of Information
Looking for funding? Need advice on funding applications?
Visit the Kingston Upon Thames community funding search engine. www.open4community.info
Kingston Innovation Centre (KIC) has been developed to provide entrepreneurs with the best possible package of accommodation, services and support to help them convert their business ideas into great businesses.
KIC acts as a platform to bring Entrepreneurs, Inventors, Business Angels, Academia, Professional Advisors and Support Organisations together.
KIC has monthly open days arranged from 10 to 3pm.
For more information call 020 8545 2875 or email enquiries@kingstoninnovation.com
Enterprise Exchange - www.kingston.ac.uk/business-services
Kingston University's Enterprise Exchange aims to share knowledge, resources and opportunities in order to help enterprises and individuals realise their full potential
The Enterprise portfolio includes:
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
A part-DTI funded knowledge and technology transfer Programme. KT Partnerships support companies by providing funding (up to 60% of costs), project management and training to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology from the university. - Work-Based Learning programme
A Programme which awards work-based learning with an accredited qualification Kingston’s Work-Based Learning programme provides the opportunity for professionals to gain academic recognition for learning gained at work. - Partnerships with entrepreneurs and inventors
We are committed to helping entrepreneurs and inventors turn their incredible ideas into credible products and services through a number of partnership initiatives. - WestFocus
Together the seven WestFocus Institutions of Higher Education provide an integrated package of innovation support that ranges from high-technology spinouts to skills training in SMEs and social enterprises. - The New Technology Institute (NTI)
The NTI at Kingston University is providing Foundation Degrees in e-skills for business, which are managed by Kingston University and delivered through seven Further Education colleges in surrounding areas.
Fusion Arts
The Studios.
53 Eden Street,
Kingston-upon-Thames.
Workspaces for professional artists – “Warm – Light - Secure”.
Contact fusionarts@blueyonder.co.uk
Tel: 020 8974 8007
www.fusionartsstudios.co.uk
A-Z Listing of Contacts
Arts and Business - www.aandb.org.uk
A&B is the world's most successful & widespread creative network. We help business people support the arts & the arts inspire business people.
Arts Council England - www.artscouncil.org.uk
The national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery.
Artquest - www.artquest.org.uk/
Artquest's mission is to provide a comprehensive advice and information service to London's visual arts professionals at all stages of their careers.
Axis Artists - www.axisartists.org.uk
Visual arts national database.
BBC Talent -www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent
BBC Talent supports raw talent in music, animation, writers, filmmakers, DJ's and singers, providing advice about how to make it in your chosen area.
The British Council - www.britishcouncil.org
The British Council’s Creative Industries Unit focuses on the presentation of the UK’s creative industries in a variety of ways, which show their creativity, innovation and impact. It also works to support the internationalisation of the sector both in the UK and overseas.
Business Links - www.businesslink4london.com
As part of the national Business Link network, we deliver impartial, expert and practical business advice to London's small and medium-sized businesses.
City Showcase - www.cityshowcase.co.uk
London's leading festival of music and fashion. City Showcase provides networking opportunities, workshops, information and showcasing opportunities for talented people in all creative disciplines.
Crafts Council – Next Move - www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Developed by the Crafts Council and Arts Council England, North West Next Move provides workspace, access to equipment, grants, training and promotion opportunities in the supportive environment of a college host over a two-year period.
Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE) - www.fashion-enterprise.com
The CFE identifies talented fashion designers who are in the process of creating a new fashion company. They assist these start-ups in funding their fashion business, in creating their management team, and in developing their strategies and business plans.
Creative and Cultural Skills - www.ccskills.org.uk
The Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music, Performing, Literary and Visual Arts.
Creative Clusters - www.creativeclusters.com
The Creative Clusters Conference is the principal networking event for creative industry development people from around the world.
Creative Export - www.creativexport.co.uk
Creative Export provides information to support the development of export strategies. The site includes a comprehensive database of constantly updated information on government grants and loans.
Creative Business Network www.creative-london.co.uk
Directory of the many small companies active in architecture, advertising, art and antiques, crafts, design, electronic publishing, fashion, film and video, games software, music, publishing, performing arts and TV and radio.
Creative Capital - www.creative-capital.org.uk
Creative Capital is an advice and information service for artists and arts professionals who live and work in London.
Creative London - www.creativelondon.org.uk
Through the LDA and private and public partners, Creative London works to increase employment and prosperity, and provide opportunities for Londoners to participate in the Creative Industries.
Creative Match - www.creativematch.co.uk
Creativematch is a Search Engine where you can publish your content, for the UK Creative Industry.
Creative Renewal - www.creativerenewal.org.uk
Creative Renewal is a partnership led by Metier, which will concentrate, on equalities in accessibility within the arts & cultural sector. Creative Renewal will be funded by the EQUAL programme.
The Creative Space Agency - www.creativespaceagency.org.uk
A new organisation set up by the LDA and Arts Council to help the creative sector make greater use of temporarily vacant space and buildings in the capital. If you are a project looking for a space, or a property owner and would like to register your properties why not visit the website.
DCEMS - The National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts (NESTA) are also able to provide funding for individuals with new and innovative ideas.
Department for Trade and Industry -www.dti.gov.uk/for_business
The DTI’s Business Support Solutions offer practical help for your business including grants, loan guarantees and subsidised consultancy.
Design Business Association - www.dba.org.uk
The trade association for British Design provides information on how to choose a design consultancy, and a directory of design companies.
Design Council - www.designcouncil.org.uk
Helping business to understand and use design as a central part of business strategy, to increase commercial success and competitiveness.
Design Directory - www.designdirectory.org
Provides information and support for businesses that require design services.
E-merging - www.e-merging.net
A new, developing network of women breaking into web design offering cost effective web solutions for London's emerging creative industries.
The Employers Guide to Training Providers www.egtp.co.uk
An employer-driven training resource, designed to help businesses identify and locate good quality training in their local area.
Enterprise Centre for the Creative Arts www.ecca-london.org
Offers free creative business services and facilities. This service is available to students and graduates of the University of the Arts London and all London-based creative practitioners.
Fashion Capital - www.fashioncapital.co.uk
LDA funded portal for the fashion industry. The site provides the one-stop-shop information service for the industry. Includes information on where you can find funding/grants for your business.
FOCI - www.foci.org.uk
FOCI is a network of experienced professionals who inform and influence debate about the creative industries. There is a useful section of over 500 links to related sites.
Funding Agents - www.fundingagents.com
A free guide to financial health! Each section contains articles, directories, links, guides and more.
Greater London Enterprise - www.gle.co.uk/index
London's economic development company bringing commercial know-how to public policy, and delivering economic regeneration.
Ideas Factory - www.ideasfactory.com
A Channel 4 scheme helping you get where you want to be in the creative industries. Check out the section on funding and training.
ideas21 - www.ideas21.co.uk
The UK‘s fastest growing network devoted to invention and innovation. Supported by government, industry and private organisations to inform and educate its members on all areas relating to the successful progression from idea to commercialisation.
iMusic - www.imusic.org.uk
An exciting concept aimed at widening access to musical excellence through the production of revolutionary interactive learning materials.
Innovate South London - www.innovatesouthlondon.co.uk
Innovate South London has been formed to provide a sustainable support infrastructure and network which encourages and enables South London’s businesses to innovate.
Institute of Contemporary Arts - The Club www.ica.org.uk
ICA Members benefit from access to the latest developments in contemporary arts.
London Creative Arts - www.londoncreativearts.co.uk
London Creative Arts aim to promote new artistic talent, providing free hosting for artists / musicians to advertise, and hopefully sell their work.
The London Design Festival was established in 2003 as an annual international event to celebrate and promote London and the UK's creativity. www.londondesignfestival.com
London Fashion Forum - www.londonfashionforum.com
A source of knowledge for the London based Clothing and Textiles Industry. The Forum offers support and guidance, and acts as a voice for the industry.
London Innovation - www.london-innovation.org.uk
A London Development Agency (LDA) initiative, developed to promote the regions key strengths and deliver polices which will ensure the future success of London as a base for business development.
Mayor of London – London’s Creative Industries www.london.gov.uk
Information on the Mayor’s creative industries initiatives for London.
Artsadvice.com has been created to help you to pursue a successful career within the Creative Industries by providing free course & career advice. www.artsadvice.com
Music Tank - www.musictank.co.uk
The UK's music business network - a collaborative community that overrides traditional industry partitions in all genres.
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts - www.nesta.org.uk
NESTA provides funding for innovative ideas in the UK, giving individuals the time, space, money and support to push at the boundaries of knowledge and practice.
National Lottery - www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Information on how to get Lottery funding, the latest news on the organisations that distribute Lottery money, and case studies on projects that the Lottery has funded in the past.
New Entrepreneur Scholarships (NES) Programme - www.nesprogramme.org
The NES helps people living in disadvantaged areas to start in business. NES provides a comprehensive package of support, mentoring and funding in order to encourage and support the start-up and growth of new businesses.
New Media Knowledge [NMK] - www.nmk.co.uk
NMK is a business resource for individuals and companies working in interactive digital media. They provide a range of research and consultancy services for public and private sector clients, offering analysis and market intelligence about the UK's interactive media industries.
Own It - www.own-it.org
A new service from ECCA (see above) which offers free intellectual property advice, information and events for London's creative people.
PACT - www.pact.co.uk
he UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies. A useful resource for finding production companies who offer training in the industry.
Portfolio City - www.portfoliocity.com
PortfolioCity.com provides an affordable, quick and easy way for artists to build a web portfolio.
The Prince’s Trust - www.princes-trust.org.uk
A UK charity that helps 14-30 year olds realise their potential and transform their lives through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance
PRS Foundation - www.prsfoundation.co.uk
The PRS foundation supports a range of new music activity – everything from unsigned band showcases to residencies for music creators, from ground breaking commissions to live electronica.
QCA Artsalive - www.qca.org.uk/artsalive
ARTS alive! provides practical guidance to help develop the arts in schools.
Shell LiveWIRE - www.shell-livewire.org
Shell LiveWIRE helps 16-30 year olds to start and develop business and hosts a national competition for new business startups.
Skillfast-UK - www.skillfast-uk.org
Skillset provides is a careers advice service, delivering individual career solutions when and how you need them, specifically catering for the audiovisual industries.
Workskillsplus - www.lsc.gov.uk
Links to training providers, industry sector bodies, colleges and courses.
Your Creative Future - www.yourcreativefuture.org.uk
A useful site which gives a concise overview of all creative careers, with helpful links and bibliographies.
Youth Culture Television - www.yctv.org
Television for young people by young people -creating educational and employment opportunities for young people.