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Discovering the next generation of talented music promoters in East Sussex.

The De La Warr Pavilion is delighted to announce Young Promoters, a new initiative supported by Youth Music. This is a paid one-year programme to discover and empower eight emerging music promoters to develop their careers within the vibrant live music scene of coastal East Sussex, from Eastbourne to Rye.

The opportunity is open to all young people aged 18-25 from coastal East Sussex. By connecting talented emerging promoters with expert industry mentors, DLWP staff and extensive networks, we aim to empower them to fulfil their ambitions in the music industry, wider cultural and creative sector, and beyond.

Eight young participants will receive micro-grants to promote and deliver a series of gigs at local venues, supported by talks, masterclasses and mentoring from music industry professionals and DLWP’s Talent Accelerator programme.

The young promoters will develop skills for the music industry and beyond:

• Working autonomously to incubate creative ideas and lead decision making.
• Entrepreneurial skills around branding, advertising, marketing and digital.
• Essential skills for promoting and business.
• Communication skills, collaborating with artists, advertisers, and venues.
• Problem solving, confidence, adaptation and resilience.

Matt Griffiths, Youth Music CEO says: “It’s crucial we enable more young people to make, learn and earn in music, whatever their background or goal. That’s why we’re excited to invest in innovative organisations like the De La Warr Pavilion, who are leading the way with their dedication to diversifying music. It’s really inspiring to see their Young Promotors initiative removing barriers into the music industries for young people in coastal East Sussex, and hope it prompts others to take proactive steps that will equalise the sector.”

DLWP recognises that engagement with popular music is a key part of our region’s identity, from Bexhill and Eastbourne to Hastings and Rye. These towns all some of the UK’s 10% most deprived wards, and a low-income background can be a barrier to a career in music. This paid opportunity aims to mitigate this barrier to providing young people with financial support, venue access and training, alongside new opportunities to learn about marketing, ticketing, contracts, and funding.

The project will be managed by DLWP’s Head of Live Programming Ed Frith. Key delivery partners will be freelance music professionals Sam Halligan and Sally Grieg. Both have extensive experience at regional music organisations and venues. Other key delivery partners include Artswork and DLWP’s Talent Accelerator programme, supporting young people into creative careers in East Sussex.

To apply, please visit our Jobs & Opportunities page here.

Download the Press Release.

Supported through Youth Music’s Incubator Fund thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

ABOUT YOUTH MUSIC

We are Youth Music. We’re the UK’s leading young people’s music charity. And we believe that every young person should have the chance to make, learn and earn in music and wider creativity.

Yet our research shows that many can’t because of who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through.

We leverage our insights, investment, and influence to build a national grassroots infrastructure that ensures the future of music is more inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible.

Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of People’s Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.

www.youthmusic.org.uk

Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair, the annual jobs and skills event for the whole community, will be back at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday 10 March.

The 2023 fair, in association with Southeastern, Bexhill College and Southern Housing, is set to be a bumper event with over 50 businesses and organisations actively recruiting into live job vacancies, apprenticeships, placements, graduate training schemes, skills development opportunities and courses. Plus there will be talks and workshops, a CV surgery and a new Creative Industries Zone showcasing the wealth of creative opportunities across the region.

Huw Merriman MP said:‘Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair is a fantastic opportunity to explore the local jobs market and have genuine discussions with prospective employers about their current vacancies. With opportunities in Transport, Housing, Construction, Financial Services, Digital, Health & Social Care, Education, Manufacturing, Utilities, Hospitality, the Creative Industries and many more sectors, I would urge anyone in the area considering a new job or career or thinking about returning to work to come along on Friday 10 March.’

A not-for-profit community-led initiative, Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair is organised by the De La Warr Pavilion, Huw Merriman MP, Bexhill College and Rother District Council with the support of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce. The event is designed to offer something for everyone, with opportunities for new entrants to the jobs market and the over 50s being a particular focus for 2023.

The fair is an important pillar of the area’s jobs and skills calendar and the 2023 event will be particularly special given the recent announcement of the award to Rother District Council of more than £19m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help create new jobs and bolster career progression in the area’s creative and cultural sectors, particularly for young people.

Stewart Drew, Director & CEO, De La Warr Pavilion, said: ‘We’re really excited to be once again hosting the Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair. It’s always a welcoming and friendly event and with everything from jobs and apprenticeships to retraining opportunities and full and part-time courses, it really does offer something for everyone in the area, whatever your age or career stage.’

Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair is on Friday 10 March at the De La Warr Pavilion. Explore the exhibitors and register in advance on our website or come along on the day between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

It’s National Apprenticeship Week, and to celebrate, we wanted to put a spotlight on just one of the apprentices that is helping to shape the Pavilion.

Join our Talent Accelerator Apprentice, Mehrin, as she shares her exciting week at the Pavilion and beyond. From assisting local artist Alexi Marshall to workshops with young people interested in creative careers, Mehrin has been busy exploring the opportunities in the creative industries.

See what Mehrin has been up to below:

Hi, my name is Mehrin. I graduated last year at Brighton university with a BA Designer Maker Degree. My practice is mainly textiles with themes of Islamic arts and South Asian Influenced textiles. My role at the De La Warr is- Talent Accelerator Apprentice.

On Monday, I went to Bexhill Academy with a local artist named Alexi Marshall. I was her workshop assistant; we had a group of year 10s and they were individually asked to make a set of 7 inspired tarot cards with a title for what they want for their future selves with the aim of creating a drawing that matches with that title. Next, with their drawings the year 10s created lino prints. The lino prints were very successful, and I had a great day assisting as I learned a lot from Alexi, and I definitely want to create more Lino prints in the future.

On Tuesday evening, Kim Byford and Stewart Drew joined other local businesses and organisations at East Sussex College Group’s Employer Networking Event hosted by Vice Principal, Donna Harfield, who gave an update on apprenticeships. It was great to meet other like-minded local business leaders, share experiences and celebrate how much the huge contribution an apprentice can make.

We look forward to getting started with the delivery of our Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship!

On Wednesday, Talent Accelerator ran a workshop for young people interested in careers in the Creative Industries which included ideas of creating a portfolio and CV that makes you stand out from the crowd. We downloaded the ERIC App which is a great way to explore opportunities across the Creative Industries including Apprenticeships.

Also on Wednesday I had a work from home day with a zoom meeting from Arts Work, my apprenticeship provider. We had to complete presentations for this zoom meeting talking about our workplaces history and core values, this was more to help our confidence in presenting and learning to being confident in roles. We also learnt about other business factors, such as – ‘how do business event assistances link to business success’, ‘what does the word culture mean to me and what does creativity mean to me’. We covered many different subjects, and I enjoyed learning about these elements in creativity and business.

After a Thursday morning of writing, myself and Kim went to Bexhill College to talk to a class about a studio that is available for young people at Beeching Road, I then created a survey for the students to complete, the main aim for this survey was to see what the students wanted from this space.

And finally, on Friday, I had some work to complete for Arts work and then myself and Kim were planning a workshop creative section for jobs and industry fair.

If you would like to speak to someone directly about apprenticeships in the creative industries, contact Kim Byford, Project Manager of Talent Accelerator on talentacc@dlwp.com.

Kim will be at the Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair at the De La Warr Pavilion on 10 March. Come along and find out what opportunities are available – its free!

Rother  District Council has been awarded over £19m for community, creativity and skills in Bexhill.

The investment of £19,192,000 from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund will enable the delivery of cultural-led regeneration to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Rother.

The money will help fund the transformation of the De La Warr Pavilion on Bexhill seafront and the development of new community facilities in Sidley, creating new jobs, upskilling local residents and bolstering career progression in the area’s creative and cultural sectors, particularly for young people.

Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of Rother District Council, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded government funding to level up community, creativity and skills in Rother. This investment gives us the opportunity to harness the potential of the iconic De La Warr Pavilion, providing learning and skills opportunities as well as creating new jobs. It will also enable us to work with Heart of Sidley (Big Local) to develop a much-needed community and recreation facility in the heart of Sidley, which will support the local community. The funding will be transformative for our communities.”

The De La Warr Pavilion is a pioneering centre for arts and culture that plays a pivotal role in driving the local economy through tourism, regeneration and skills development in Rother, East Sussex and the wider South East region. The proposed development includes improved accessibility for audiences, new auditorium technical and other learning facilities, the redevelopment of spaces for outdoor community events, and new environmental systems to help meet net carbon neutral ambitions. The total cost of the scheme is £23.4m and funding will be sought from other sources to cover the remainder of the project costs.
Stewart Drew, Director & CEO, De La Warr Pavilion, said: “Earl De La Warr’s vision for our amazing building was a People’s Palace that would drive the growth, prosperity and culture of the area. We want to be more relevant to more people and are hugely excited about the potential of this project to reach the more disadvantaged communities in our area and continue to be a catalyst for growth and prosperity. More spaces and better facilities mean we will be able to dramatically increase creative engagement, deliver high quality skills training including T Levels, provide flexible learning spaces, and attract new visitors.”

In a project led by Heart of Sidley (Big Local), the Levelling Up investment will also fund crucial community facilities in Sidley, one of the most deprived wards in the country. The proposed community hub at Sidley Recreation Ground will connect Sidley with the De La Warr Pavilion and the town centre, providing increased opportunities for residents to develop their skills and access education and employment.
Jay Carroll, Chair of Heart of Sidley, said: ‘As Heart of Sidley approaches the last two years as a Big Local area, this is some very exciting news. Enabling us, without question, to align our vision in fulfilling a lasting legacy in fully transforming the old toilet block at Sidley Recreation Ground, into a state-of-the-art community hub and sports changing facilities. We want local people to have as much opportunity as possible to be actively involved, and to feel proud to be part of a community with such a commitment to its future.”

Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle and sponsor of RDC’s Levelling Up Fund application, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Rother has been successful in this hugely significant Levelling Up bid which I have been proud to support. This £19m funding demonstrates the government’s commitment to levelling up extends to communities in the South East which are often, mistakenly, considered to be affluent. We have six of England’s most deprived wards in Rother and this funding will improve access to vital learning and training opportunities as well as giving tourism and the local economy a tremendous boost. The De La Warr Pavilion already does great work in working with our local communities and this bid will enable to do so much more. It is really important to me that this project will deliver opportunities for the residents of Sidley.”

Read our Frequently Asked Questions here

De La Warr Pavilion
The De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) is a centre for arts and culture in an iconic modernist building by the sea, designed by refugee Erich Mendelsohn and émigré Serge Chermayeff. It opened in 1935 as the ‘people’s palace for art and culture’ and now produces an innovative and integrated cultural programme of exhibitions and learning programmes as well as a diverse and popular programme of live music and comedy.
The Pavilion takes the lead in the development of cultural tourism and skills in the region and plays a central role in the cultural and economic growth in Sussex.
For more information visit www.dlwp.com

Heart of Sidley (Big Local)
Heart of Sidley is a Big Local area. 8 years ago, we were awarded £1milllion by Local Trust to make a massive and lasting positive difference to our community. The Heart of Sidley started to use its funding in 2014 and is due to finish in 2025. The idea behind the Big Local is about bringing together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live.
Heart of Sidley is a community-led partnership, led entirely by local residents, in partnership with local organisations, businesses and others. We’re supported by a Big Local representative and two locally trusted organisations – Rother Voluntary Action and Optivo.
As we prepare our charity, Heart of Sidley Community Association, for the exciting future ahead, we continue to work with the community to ensure that we work towards the community’s priorities. We have a very proactive and driven group of people on board, who are all part of the Sidley community themselves. We ensure voices are heard and action is taken in our commitment to improving the area and opportunities for local people.
For more information visit https://heartofsidley.co.uk/

Our acclaimed exhibition Zineb Sedira: Can’t You See the Sea Changing? has just closed. We hope you enjoyed visiting the exhibition throughout the autumn and festive season.

Londonist called it ‘an impressive installation of film and photography’, FRIEZE named it in their top five exhibitions to see in winter 2022, and FAD praised DLWP as ‘the perfect seaside setting for this show’. Now, we want to hear your thoughts!

Please complete our short survey about your experience of the exhibition. Your feedback will help us help us plan future events, exhibitions and understand what our audiences think. All data is anonymous.

If you complete the survey you can enter a prize draw to win one of two copies of Dreams Have No Titles (2022), a publication exploring Zineb Sedira’s work,.

Please CLICK HERE to complete the survey. Thank you!

WIN A BOOK FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY

Once you have completed the survey, you can enter our prize draw! Contact specialpreview@dlwp.com with your name and email address for the chance to win one of two copies of Dreams Have No Titles (2022), a cross between a newspaper and a magazine charting the artistic journey of Zineb Sedira in the run-up to her presentation for the French Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale (2022).

The Prize Draw is administered by the De La Warr Pavilion. Prize draw winners will be picked on 30 January 2023 and will be contacted by the De La Warr Pavilion team via email shortly thereafter. Prizes are non-transferrable. One entry per person. You will be required to respond to receive your prize. Prizes can be collected from the Box Office or issued by post.

Image: Zineb Sedira, Can’t You See the Sea Changing?, 2022. De La Warr Pavilion, Installation view. Photo: Rob Harris.

At the end of another year, we would like to thank you all for your continued support.

Whether you are a ticket buyer, gallery visitor, artist, musician, young person, workshop participant, Instagram follower or just here to meet your friends in the Café, we love that we are at the heart of such a wonderful community of people.

And as we head towards economically challenging times, we are grateful for the support of over 1000 Members & Patrons, Arts Council England (NPO) and Rother District Council.

We would like to say thank you and wish you all  “peace and goodwill” this festive season. You can hear these words spoken in over 30 languages in Peace and Goodwill, a winter soundscape on our north staircase by artist Mary Hooper, which acts as a soundtrack to a new commission of illuminated lanterns – Ice and Snowflake – created by Radiator Arts and our own Blueprint Collective. If you can’t get to visit us this Christmas, then you can still hear Peace and Goodwill on our soundcloud here.

The Pavilion is a registered warm space, ready to welcome you throughout the holiday season.  Originally built in 1935 with a grant from the Ministry of Health the Pavilion, with its large glass windows and doors, was acknowledged as a natural solarium, harnessing the sunshine of the south coast to create a bright, warm place where people could rest and restore.

We hope you will do the same here this holiday season –  visit our free exhibitions, shop, eat and enjoy all the Pavilion has to offer.

With peace and goodwill

Stewart Drew

Director & CEO

Congratulations to the DLWP Volunteers Team who won Rother Voluntary Action’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2022!

Our nomination said:

Our fantastic  volunteers work on a range of projects but most regularly they support our Art Sundays and our Holiday Art Activities. These are free creative activities that targets young people and families from low socio-economic backgrounds. The volunteers work every second Sunday from 1 – 5pm and also during holidays, for example our Sunset Screenings during August.

Each volunteer welcomes participants and makes them feel comfortable. They talk them through the art activity and support them in learning skills like cutting out shapes, collage, painting, drawing and 3D making. They give them encouragement and guidance. Each Art Sunday we cater for 60 – 100 participants, which we could never achieve without our volunteers!

Overall as a team they work about 800 hours a year to support all our community activity. The group also leads Building Tours giving an insight into the history of Bexhill, the De La Warr Pavilion Building and architecture, popular with the older members of our community. They also volunteer and help with our accessible inclusive gigs for adults with physical and learning disabilities. Their support is vital to us being able to help so much of our community.

Pictured is Ron Wood, who has been a volunteer for ten years, who accepted the Award on behalf of the team.

Kim Byford, Project Director Talent Accelerator is offering one-to-one 30-minute  free online coaching session available all day on 19th, 20th and 21st December – follow the link below to book:

https://calendly.com/kim-byford/creative-ucas-application-support

If these times don’t suit or you would prefer to meet in person, please contact Kim Byford kim.byford@dlwp.com to book a time.

Kim Byford  joined DLWP as Project Director for the Talent Accelerator from Bexhill College where she was Head of Performing Arts and Associate Principal (Community). In this role she took a wide-angle view of the College’s relationships within the local community as well as forging relationships with the arts community to ensure clear career progression routes for young people.

Kim was part of the steering group, with Rother District Council, De La Warr Pavilion and Flatland Projects, for the development of Beeching Road Studios, a new creative hub for Bexhill. She understands the local context for young people and is committed to supporting them to fulfilling creative careers.

Kim has had a long career post-16 education working in a variety of Colleges and Sixth forms across the country since 2000. She is committed to introducing  children and young people to new experiences, believing that this builds confidence which increases achievement across the curriculum and raises aspiration. Previously she has taken students to perform in Venice, receive conservatoire actor training in Prague as well as a host of performances in festivals and venues.

Kim will use her experience to lead the Talent Accelerator programme – to develop stronger ties between industry and education to create a unique framework enabling education settings and creative industry employers to co-design new learning and real-world skills programmes. Talent Accelerator will help our young people:

• Understand the different types of companies and organisations in the creative, cultural and digital sectors and the range of roles and opportunities on offer.

• Increase their creativity, identify the skills needed for those roles and support them to develop and add to their own skillset.

• Give them valuable experience working alongside creative people in vibrant and exciting places and spaces.

• Prepare them take advantage of the growing creative, cultural, and digital employment opportunities East Sussex has to offer – or even create their own.

Read more about Talent Accelerator here