Creative Enterprise Announces 2025 Foundations Programme Cohort to Support Emerging Creative Businesses
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Friday 14 February 2025
What’s happening right now in the creative sector?
The Creative UK members network represents some of the most compelling organisations and institutions in the UK’s Cultural and Creative Industries; from universities to venues to global names. There is no end to the activity happening across the sector, and knowledge is power, so we’ve compiled all our current members’ news for you to explore, including research, campaigns, stories, events and plenty more.
Interested in becoming a member? Find out more on our website or complete our Expression of Interest Form.
Research
Directors UK launch research findings into the reality of screen directors
Conducted by CREATe, the Centre for Regulation of the Creative Economy based at the University of Glasgow, an independent survey commissioned by Directors UK examined the working practices, contracts and earnings of screen directors. The survey’s results have been published this week, confirming a number of stark findings regarding a lack of sustainable employment practices, fair contracts and equitable pay structures, among other woeful takeaways. – READ MORE
Black Lives in Music is creating change
The REMEL (Race Equality in Music Events Licensing) Survey, sponsored by the Mayor of London, is uncovering the barriers Black and Asian artists, promoters, and venues face when putting on live music events. Have your say by 28 February. – READ MORE
Bectu’s Big Survey
Bectu have launched the first of their Big Surveys, asking workers across the UK’s creative industries about their experiences and views on key issues facing the sector. They want to hear from those in non-performing roles across the industries from theatre to film, fashion to gaming. Survey closes 12 March. – READ MORE
The results are in: Looking Glass Survey 2024
The Film & TV Charity have published the findings from their 2024 Looking Glass Survey, which examined the mental health and wellbeing of professionals working across film, TV, and cinema. Over 4,300 workers responded, and though the results paint a harsh reality, there’s positive change afoot. – READ MORE
Opportunities
Free passes to TV Festival for working-class creatives
For the 50th edition of the Edinburgh TV Festival, TV Foundation is offering 50 free passes to attend and anyone from a working-class background who is working in the industry can apply. Apply for an Impact Bursary pass by midnight on 28 February. – READ MORE
EIT Culture & Creativity
Join the info session next week and don’t miss the chance to apply for EIT Culture & Creativity’s Call for Proposals 2025 for Short Innovation Projects!
Application deadline: 11 March (single participants), 11 April (consortia).
Information session: 19 February.
Main criteria:
- Fast-moving, results-driven initiatives lasting up to 6 months
- Focus Areas: Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-visual Media, Gaming
- Key Themes: Globalisation, Digital transformation, AI, Environmental sustainability
- Funding: Up to €120,000 for consortia, up to €59,500 for single participants
- Tailored support: Market access, investor pitch sessions, networking opportunities
For more info and to apply: Innovation Call – 2025 – Short Innovation Projects – EIT Culture & Creativity
Join the info session next week and don’t miss the chance to apply for EIT Culture & Creativity’s Call for Proposals 2025 for Main Innovation Projects!
Application deadline: 11 April.
Information session: 19 February.
Main criteria:
- Supports groundbreaking innovations addressing global challenges
- Focus Areas: Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-Visual Media, Gaming
- Key Themes: Globalisation, Digital Transformation, AI, Environmental Sustainability
- Funding: Up to €350,000 for consortia of at least two participants
- Tailored support: Market access, investor pitch sessions, networking opportunities
For more info and to apply: Innovation Call – Main Call 2025 – EIT Culture & Creativity
Join the info session next week and don’t miss the chance to apply for EIT Culture & Creativity’s Call for Proposals 2025 for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Courses!
Application deadline: 11 April.
Information session: 18 February.
The call supports courses that upskill professionals in the cultural and creative sectors, addressing critical skills gaps and fostering innovation for Europe’s green, digital and social transitions. Co-funding available for:
- 10 EIT-labelled courses – Up to €150,000 per course, covering topics such as entrepreneurship & creative thinking, emerging technologies, sustainable architecture, gaming and youth entrepreneurship
- 10 non-EIT-labelled courses – Up to €75,000 per course, focusing on our five key areas: Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-visual Media and Gaming.
For more info and to apply: Education Call – CPD Courses 2025 – EIT Culture & Creativity
Stories
New indie film hub landing Summer 2025
Pinewood Group have announced a new indie film hub launching in summer 2025, designed to support filmmakers in the UK who are taking advantage of the UK’s newly introduced Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC). The space will feature sound stages, as well as production offices and ancillary areas such as workshop space. – READ MORE
Photo Credit: HvH Arts
Grassroots funding announced for Liverpool’s young creatives
Award-winning music education charity, London Music Fund, announces an expansion of its grassroots funding programme, Amplify, in partnership with YouTube. The programme, which has been running successfully in London since 2020, is expanding to Liverpool and will launch in spring 2025, supported by UNESCO City of Music. – READ MORE