Space for Change – Expression of Interest – 2024/2025

A New Direction is looking for creative learning sector leaders whose work is focused on children and young people to participate in our Space for Change peer learning group programmeWhether you're a freelance practitioner, leading a department, or running a company, this group is open to all those who have the influence to make change possible.

 

The theme for this year’s Space for Change is: Equity in creative career pathways for the next generation.

 

Research suggests that there are persistent inequalities in arts, culture, and heritage occupations. In this year’s Space for Change, we will focus on how we can retain young people engaging with arts and culture within the industry and how to tackle the barriers they face when embarking on creative careers. We want to convene a group of cultural sector leaders who want to re-invigorate and strengthen their programme offer to include careers advice and skills, including working with schools, and who want to work together to face social mobility issues facing our sector.

 

You may want to read the following research around this year’s chosen theme before you apply:

 

About Space for Change

 

Space for Change will be an intimate space for personal reflection, developing your practice and overcoming challenges. We will curate a dynamic, forward-thinking, and solution-focused cohort, with a focus on building professional resilience, making, connections, and discovering renewed focus. 

 

Past participants in Space for Change have said:

“The energy was amazing! Almost life changing!”

“It's the most meaningful CPD I have ever undertaken - so specific and so bespoke.”

“Space to reflect, to chat, to dream of new ways of working. This time has been like gold dust.”

 

The Space for Change group will meet monthly from October 2024 to March 2025 and will address areas of priority for the creative learning sector, with space for reflection and discussion. There will also be self-led buddying-tasks for you to complete in your own time, designed to help you reflect on learning, embed changes, and improve your work.

 

Schedule of sessions:

Each session will run for 3 hours 10am to 1pm. The sessions will be a mixture of in-person in London venues, and online.

·    Thursday 3rd October 2024
·    Thursday 7th November 2024
·    Thursday 5th December 2024
·    Thursday 9th January 2025
·    W/c 20th January 2025 – check-ins to be arranged with groups
·    Thursday 6th February 2025
·     Thursday 6th March 2025

 

Participants will also take part in self-directed research and development tasks outside of these times, particularly in January.


Applying


If you are considering applying, please understand it is important to attend every session in order to get the maximum benefit from the programme. Missing a session means taking the space from someone else who could have benefited from the programme, therefore we kindly ask that you think carefully before making the commitment to join.

 

Furthermore, we receive a high volume of applications to take part in the programme. To help us really understand you, please provide detailed answers to the questions on the Expression of Interest form below.

 

Deadline for submission is Monday 12th August at 9:00am.

 

A New Direction is committed to an inclusive working culture where everyone who works for or with us is treated with dignity and respect.

 

If you have questions about the Expression of Interest, or have access requirements for making your application, then please email marina.lewis-king@anewdirection.org.uk









We would like a balance of small to large organisations as well as freelancers across Space for Change cohort. The following questions will help us to get a clear picture of the context you are working in.