Creative business skills and mentoring on offer for Yorkshire graduates

Yorkshire graduates are being given the opportunity to receive a free skills development programme to enable them to confidently run a creative business, as part of an innovative project at York St John University.

The University has joined forces with Cida Co, a leading creative innovation company, to offer creative graduates one-to-one mentoring and support with key issues such as marketing, finance, legal and governance.

The programme is available to creative graduates from any Yorkshire university who have completed their degree in the last five years. Uniquely designed by Cida Co, the programme takes place over five months and covers six modules on the key issues facing a creative business or sole trader. Participants will be paired with a specially trained Cida Co mentor who brings relevant, sector specific knowledge skills and networks to their role.

Jenny Hall, Creative Business Development Manager at York St John University explained:

“Arts graduates can often find it tough in the first few years following graduation, which is why York St John has launched a second round of ‘The Work of Art’ - a business development course tailored to support young graduate businesses and freelance practitioners working in the arts and creative industries.”

The project is supported financially by the European Union, as part of the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project, which has attracted £1 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme. Eligible candidates will be entitled to a fully subsidised place for the entire course.

The ‘Work of Art’ programme will take place at York St John University and begins on Tuesday 13 March. Each session runs from 10.00am-4.00pm. To find out if you are eligible for a free place please contact Lisa Wellington on T: 01904 876502 or email l.wellington@yorksj.ac.uk