Uncategorized Archives - DLWP, The De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, East Sussex

Empowering Future Creatives: A Week of Hands-On Work Experience at De La Warr Pavilion

Here at De La Warr Pavilion, we are always keen to offer a variety of work experience opportunities for people interested in creative careers. Recently, we were able to support almost twenty students from East Sussex College Group (ESCG) Hastings for a work experience week set around a research project.

During their week with us, the ESCG students were set a brief by our fundraising and comms teams to research, develop, and create a marketing strategy for a brand-new youth membership that we are hoping to launch in 2025. This was an extremely broad taste of what arts admin roles can look like, giving the students an opportunity to work with the comms team and learn about marketing techniques, as well as researching and evaluating similar youth memberships for their effectiveness.

Students were able to decide which type of role they preferred after the first day and choose whether they wanted to continue the rest of the week in the membership research team or the marketing team. This allowed them to make work-based decisions around the types of job roles they were interested in and select the team that would give them the best knowledge for their future careers.

Whilst the membership research team explored various youth memberships across the UK, with a focus on creative and cultural organisations, the marketing team got to work creating posters, social media campaigns, and coming up with branding ideas such as logos and names. The marketing team decided to create hand-crafted marketing materials, preferring the analogue method of marketing and the personal touch this can add to a companies branding. Meanwhile, the research team started planning a launch event and considering what types of workshops, discounts, events, and benefits would make young people want to sign up for the free membership.

After a week of research and content creation, the students were asked to present their findings and ideas back to the group. This presentation happened in front of their peers, as well as members of the De La Warr Pavilion team from the comms and fundraising teams, allowing for post-presentation discussions and in-depth feedback.

The students learnt a range of new skills during their work experience placement with us. They left with a better understanding of behind-the-scenes careers in an arts organisation, as well as a new-found knowledge of themselves and the types of roles they might see themselves working in the future.

We will be hosting a number of work experiences in the coming months, from helping the exhibitions team with the install of our upcoming exhibits and a chance to get behind-the-scenes with our tech team, right through to an experience of what it’s like working in live programming.

To see any work experience opportunities that are still available for sign ups, please check the T alent Accelerator page. Sign up to the Talent Accelerator newsletter to be the first to hear about these opportunities or contact the team on talentacc@dlwp.com if you have a specific work experience request.

Jobs & opportunities for all at Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair

Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair, the annual free jobs and skills event for the whole community, will be back at the iconic De La Warr Pavilion on Friday 21 March 10.30am – 3.30pm.

The fair, in association with Bexhill College, is an opportunity to explore full-time, part-time and seasonal job vacancies, apprenticeships, skills development opportunities, back to work support, training and courses.

Last year’s fair welcomed a record 700 visitors with a wide range of ages and experiences, ranging from the unemployed and college leavers to people considering returning to work and the retired. Visitor feedback included ‘Lots of new contact points for potential employment’, ‘What a wonderful and well organised event and very inclusive’, and ‘Thank you for having me – and I didn’t feel too old, phew!’

Over 50 businesses and organisations from across the region will be at this year’s event on 21 March. There will be free workshops including confidence boosting sessions for job-seekers, advice for young people interested in a freelance creative career, and, for employers, a session on alternative apprenticeships. The Creative Industries Zone will be offering entry level opportunities to help young people get into the industry and Bexhill Chamber of Commerce will be running a CV checking service. The fair will once again be operating a Quiet Time between 2pm and 3.30pm for visitors with access requirements or who would feel more comfortable in a quieter environment.

Kieran Mullan MP said: ‘I would urge anyone looking for a job or thinking about returning to work to visit the fair on 21 March. It’s a fantastic opportunity to talk directly to employers across the region in sectors including Transport, Construction, Financial Services, Digital, Health & Social Care, Education, Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, Tourism, Hospitality, the Creative Industries and many more.’

Stewart Drew, Director & CEO, De La Warr Pavilion, said: ‘We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s fair. It’s an amazing community event that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a new job or career or are interested in volunteering or learning something new, come along to the Pavilion on 21 March and explore the hundreds of opportunities on offer.’

A not-for-profit community-led initiative, Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair is organised by the De La Warr Pavilion, Kieran Mullan MP, Bexhill College and Rother District Council with the support of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce.

Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair is 10.30am – 3.30pm on Friday 21 March at the De La Warr Pavilion. Find out more and register at dlwp.com/jobsfair. Visitors are welcome to come along on the day but are encouraged to register in advance to smooth their entry to the event.

Opening Doors to Creative Careers: De La Warr Pavilion Hosts Local Students for Hands-On Industry Insights

As part of Discover Creative Careers Week 2024, the Learning & Participation team carried out a number of Open Doors visits with local schools and colleges. Various members of the wider De La Warr Pavilion team attended these visits too, talking about their roles, how they got into them, and general information about working in their type of creative work.

To start off the week, nine further education students from Mount Camphill Community School visited the gallery. They were joined by Laura from the Auditorium Technical Team, who spoke about working as a technician, including a tour of the auditorium and the sound and lighting desks.

To celebrate the brand-new creative T Level course happening locally, our next visitors were nine Year 12 T Level students from Bexhill College. João from the Exhibitions team joined them for their visit and let them know a little bit more about what it’s like working in exhibitions and curation, including jobs and routes into that field. Learning even more about working in the creative industries, they were also joined by Greg from the Live Programming team, who spoke to them about them about working in the live music and events sector.

Helping to teach students about creative careers before selecting their options, the next visit was from twenty-three Year 9 students from Saxon Mount School. This visit was joined by Amy from the Talent Accelerator team, who spoke about her roles at Talent Accelerator, Beeching Road Studios, and East Sussex College Group including what it means to be freelance and work across multiple areas within a similar sector.

Finally, we were joined by fourteen Year 8 students from Ratton School. Their visit was supported by Cassie and Daisy from the Communications & Marketing team, where they spoke about everything from social media through to communicating with audience members, and the growing importance of this type of behind-the-scenes role within arts organisations. Along with this, they also gave the Ratton School students an insight into apprenticeships, and how this is a great alternative route into work and the creative industries.

We had a wonderful time showing these students around the De La Warr Pavilion, and opening our doors to give then am insight into everything that happens at the gallery from front of house right through to office based work.

If you would like to attend an Open Doors visit with you school, get in touch with Maya Kindcaid, our Head of Learning & Engagement, on Maya.Kincaid@dlwp.com.

Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024

Today marks the end of Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024, which is an industry-led programme that’s been running since 2018 with funding from DCMS and ACE. Discover Creative Careers aims to increase diversity in the creative industries by highlighting creative career opportunities to young people, as well as alternative routes into this industry.

To celebrate, Talent Accelerator have been busy attending various talks, careers days, workshops, and events to spread the word about what they do and encourage places of education to consider creative careers as an important career option for their pupils. Read below to hear about everything we’ve been up to this week to support young people in finding out more about the creative industries, as well as emphasising the value of hiring young people to creative organisations across Sussex.

Starting off the week by looking outwards at what others had posted, Talent Accelerator shared various Instagram stories about Discover! Creative Careers Week, including interviews with people discussing their roles in the creative industries and how they got there. One of the most important ways for getting young people interested in creative careers is to let them know what is out there, and how their skills and interests could land them a job. You have to see it to be it!

To kick off their outreach for the week, Kim and Maddie from the Talent Accelerator team worked with schools and colleges to spread awareness about Discover! Creative Careers Week. Working with local school Bexhill Academy, Maddie attended a careers fair there to talk with pupils from year 9 and 10. From telling young people how their options and college course choices would be pathways into the arts, to re-shaping thinking around what constitutes a creative career, a lot of the pupils left with a better understanding of what opportunities the creative sector has to offer them. Meanwhile, Kim hosted an afternoon event at Towner Gallery in Eastbourne. This event brought together college and school teachers and careers advisors across East Sussex to find out more about what Talent Accelerator does. They ended the day with a tour of the Towner’s art store to highlight the joy that the arts bring to people.

Here at the De La Warr Pavilion, our Learning & Engagement team have been offering Open Doors visits all week to local schools and colleges. With support from the wider De La Warr Pavilion team, pupils and teachers had guided tours of the gallery whilst also hearing about careers in marketing, technical teams, curation, and project management. Amy from team Talent Accelerator joined the Learning & Engagement on Thursday to discuss how young people can get involved in what we do, and to tell them a little more about working as a project manager in the arts. We had visits from Mount Camphill, Bexhill College, Saxon Mount, and Ratton School.

With information sharing being a huge part of signposting young people into creative careers, Maddie attended the Youth Practitioners Network hosted by Rother Voluntary Action at De La Warr Pavilion to talk about Talent Accelerator’s work. This invited discussion and collaboration between the council, organisations and youth services all working with young people to consider how Bexhill, Hastings & Rother can become a better place for young people to live, work and thrive.

To round off the week, Kim and Maddie shared two presentations at the GoodSpace Communities of Practice event at Brighton Dome. Maddie spoke alongside fellow Artswork Breakthrough candidates Zac and Emma, who are also working on the Coastal Catalyst project collaboration between Talent Accelerator and Future Creators. They spoke about how to support and encourage young people in volunteering, based on their own experiences of volunteering as a young person. Kim followed by discussing how to get young people through the door, speaking at large about the success of Eastbourne Alive and Talent Accelerator’s work leading up to now. The day ended with neurodiversity and accessibility training from Neurodiversity UK, which gave great insight into ensuring your opportunities are workplaces are accessible for everyone.

If you want to know more about how you can support young people into creative careers, or if you’re a young person wondering what creative careers are out there, Discover! Creative Careers have a number of invaluable resources on their website.

TALENT ACCELERATOR: “A CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS STORY”

DE LA WARR PAVILION WORKS WITH OVER 10,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AND EMPLOYERS WITH SKILLS PROGRAMME TALENT ACCELERATOR

A recently published report*, has declared the De La Warr Pavilion’s skills programme “a considerable success story.”

Since 2022, the De La Warr Pavilion’s skills programme, Talent Accelerator, has

engaged with over 10000 children, young people and employers
delivered 113 (1500 hours) of work placements across 23 organisations
delivered work experience and volunteer opportunities around the Turner Prize
worked with 34 education partners and 56 organisations
helped 11 schools achieve Artsmark recognition
held 2 major Jobs and Apprenticeships Fairs

and developed a co-ordinated approach to skills development for young people across East Sussex. This includes working with a variety of cultural organisations, Skills East Sussex, Local Skills Improvement Partnership and schools and colleges.

Led by the De La Warr Pavilion, a Cornerstone Employer for East Sussex Careers Hub, and delivered by DLWP’s Head of Skills, Kim Byford, the programme set out to introduce young people to the creative industries – increasing knowledge, learning and opportunity across East Sussex. It aimed to give young people, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds, an insight into one of the fastest growing industries in the UK (worth £115bn), and employers an opportunity to work and grow local talent, that ensures a thriving creative and cultural sector in the region.

By broadening out and strengthening the collaboration with new and existing partners, Talent Accelerator has created a genuine pipeline of creative and cultural opportunities for individuals from ages 5 to 18 and beyond, supporting a shift towards a sustainable framework as part of the South East Creative Economy Network and meeting central government ambitions:

“We want to put rocket boosters under the creative industries, helping them to create more opportunities in all parts of the country and give people from all communities access to art and culture” Lisa Nandy UK Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport.

Talent Accelerator was supported by Artswork, Arts Council England, and created in partnership with Skills East Sussex.

Grace, aged 17, from Bexhill said

“Before my work placements, I thought that working in the Creative Arts meant that you were a famous artist and that was the only creative job out there. But after experiencing working in an office environment I’ve realized that there are hundreds of creative jobs. This has really expanded my view on what I can do with my future and what kind of creative career I want to explore.”

In 2023 Talent Accelerator was invited to deliver the skills programmes for Eastbourne Alive (Turner Prize Eastbourne) and worked with all partners to delivery over 1500 hours of work placements

Stewart Drew, Director and CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion said:

“Talent Accelerator has been the catalyst to kickstart the Pavilion’s ambitions to develop a framework of creativity and skills in the region. It puts young people at the heart of the development of a regional creative economy and builds pathways of opportunity through work experiences, apprenticeships, schools visits, jobs fairs and events. We are delighted to be working closely with Future Creators and Brighton Dome & Festival in the next stage of this work.”

Kim Byford, Programme Director, Talent Accelerator said

“In the past two years I have met so many fantastic young people who, with support, can make a real impact on the local economy. Whether they move away from the area or stay, we want to make sure that every young person is introduced to the diverse opportunities that working in a creative industries can offer – whether it be backstage, digital, marketing, music promotion, gaming –developing much needed confidence and transferable skills, post pandemic.”

The success of Talent Accelerator has led to a partnership with Future Creators, part of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, to lead the delivery of Coastal Catalyst, a 2-year partnership project supported £900k funding from Arts Council England that will extend the work along a Creative Corridor from Bexhill to Bognor Regis.

* The full Report and more about Talent Accelerator can be downloaded here

More about Coastal Catalyst can be found here

Notes

The De La Warr Pavilion : Community, Creativity, Skills

Since 1935, DLWP has been harnessing the transformative power of culture to regenerate place and community. Over the past two decades it has been at the forefront of the skills agenda, working with schools, colleges, strategic partners and community organisations to transform the lives and futures of young people. Alongside arts education and performance opportunities, DLWP runs programmes for young people with complex needs, those experiencing social, emotional or mental health challenges, and from migrant and asylum seeker backgrounds. It provides volunteering and work experience opportunities, champions, through its partnership with Flatland Projects, Beeching Road Studios, Bexhill, early creative careers, and, since 2016, has given young people direct access to jobs and skills development opportunities through hosting and organising the annual Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair.

The success of the project is rooted in the groundwork laid by DLWP Director & CEO Stewart Drew, his team and partners including Team East Sussex, Skills East Sussex, Culture East Sussex, East Sussex Careers Service, Local Skills Improvement Partnership and East Sussex College Group.

De La Warr Pavilion awarded £45,000 from Art Fund’s RE-IMAGINE Programme for community partnerships

The De La Warr Pavilion is delighted to announce that we have been awarded £45,000 over the next two years through Art Fund’s Reimagine grants programme. Art Fund has awarded £1million to museums and galleries across the UK reliant on local authority support. This latest round of the programme supports museums to reimagine their approach to partnerships.

This funding will allow DLWP to continue working with our valued community partners including established and emerging artists and organisations to strengthen, build and sustain the arts ecology in Bexhill, Rother and wider into Sussex.

We continue to work together with Rother District Council, to ensure excellent cultural activities and access to our Grade I listed building are kept free to accessible to all.

Stewart Drew, Director and CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion said:

“Our surveys tell us that 86% of our visitors agree that DLWP is welcoming to all the community and 75% agree DLWP encourages participation in community life and events. Responding to vulnerable local authority funding, this fund allows us to continue our vital work with the community and re-imagine our approach, increasing resilience and building a creative and skills-based ecology in which we can all thrive.”

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said:

“We’re extremely pleased to offer £1million in support to local-authority reliant museums and galleries across the UK through this latest round of Reimagine grants. The projects showcase the incredible value local museums have for communities and demonstrate their remarkable ambition, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in the face of growing challenges.”

Further information will be announced soon.

About De La Warr Pavilion

The De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) is a centre for arts, culture, creativity and skills in a Grade One Listed 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, almost 90 years later, continues to produce an innovative and integrated cultural programme of exhibitions, learning and creative engagement as well as a diverse and popular programme of live music and comedy. DLWP sits at the heart of its community taking the lead in the development of skills and cultural tourism the region and plays a central role in the cultural and economic growth of Sussex.

As a result of the De La Warr Pavilion’s community engagement approach, in 2023/24 it:

Presented 4 free outdoor film screenings
Hosted 64 community group and private hires
Employed 149 staff, 89% of whom live in the local area
Worked with 20 local volunteers
Programmed 39 free creative family events and 25 free Blueprint Collective creative sessions for 16 – 22 year olds
Welcomed 700 people to the Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair
Engaged over 11000 young people with our learning and skills programmes
Worked with 43 primary, secondary and SEND/SEMH schools, and colleges
Hosted 24 drop in sessions for Bexhill’s Ukrainian Refugees and hosted Refugee Week events with the Refugee Buddy Project, Hastings Rother & Wealden
Welcomed 325 children from families who receive free school meals into our music, heritage, arts and free food holiday clubs

The De La Warr Pavilion receives core revenue funding from Arts Council England (NPO) and Rother District Council.

Re-imagine Grants

Reimagine grants are funded by Art Fund and made possible with support from The Headley Trust, alongside other generous trusts and supporters of the Making Connections campaign.

The funding has been prioritised to support local authority-reliant museums and galleries in response to Art Fund’s Museum Directors Survey 2024 and other pieces of research revealing the significant challenges currently facing museums and galleries.

Art Fund

Art Fund is the UK’s independent charity for art, helping museums and people to share in great art and culture for 120 years. Art Fund raises millions of pounds every year to help the UK’s museums, galleries and historic houses. The charity funds art, enabling the UK’s museums to buy and share exciting works, connect with their communities, and inspire the next generation. It builds audiences with its National Art Pass opening doors to great culture; and it amplifies the museum sector through the world’s largest museum prize, Art Fund Museum of the Year, and creative events that bring the UK’s museums together. Art Fund is people-powered by 135,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, and the donors, trusts and foundations who support the charity.

The National Art Pass provides free or discounted entry to over 400 museums, galleries and historic places, 50% off major exhibitions, and Art Quarterly magazine.

www.artfund.org

DE LA WARR PAVILION AWARDED £202,000 FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVITY AND SKILLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SIDLEY

The De La Warr Pavilion is delighted to announce CREATIVE SIDLEY – a 3-year youth and community-led project funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation under their Creative, Confident Communities work.

Inspired by almost a decade of working with and listening to young people and families in Sidley, the Creative Sidley Project centres on young people becoming leaders, designing and implementing a creative programme with artists and taking ownership of their community’s creative future. It is based on consultation with Sidley’s young people who wish to improve their environment and make Sidley a better place to live.

Heart of Sidley and the De La Warr Pavilion are partners in Rother District Council’s £19 million Levelling Up Award for community, creativity and skills in Bexhill. £2m of this will fund the new Community Hub in Sidley Recreation Ground and provide increased opportunities for residents to develop their skills and access education and employment.

The Creative Sidley Project brings together key partners in Sidley who share the De La Warr Pavilion’s vision that creativity and skills can transform a community and work to support young people. It will bring artists on to Sidley High Street and into community spaces to co-curate, with young people, creative programmes and activities.

The partners are Heart of Sidley, The Pelham, The Sara Lee Trust, Earls Mercantile Café, Beeching Road Studios, Talent Accelerator and 18 Hours Events. These Partners will work with us in their existing spaces to accommodate creative activities before the new Sidley Community Hub becomes operational.

Stewart Drew, CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion said:

We are thrilled to announce this investment in Sidley, thanks to Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Sidley is full of amazing people who want to help create a better future for their young people and we are privileged to be working with them. The goal will be to create a dynamic, youth-led creative programme in the new Community Hub, re-inforcing our relationship with Heart of Sidley and our commitment to improving the opportunities of young people in our area.

Jay Carroll, Chair of Heart of Sidley Partnership, said:

We are extremely proud of our strong links with the Pavilion which, over a number of years have been so beneficial for Sidley and wider community. This investment in Sidley’s young people will feed into Levelling Up ambitions for the new Community Hub, enabling local Sidley residents to gain

access to creative and aspirational opportunities. We are very excited to be part of this new partnership and the future of our young people. For further information on our Levelling Up Award see https://www.dlwp.com/luf/

NOTES

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. 10 years ago, they were awarded £1milllion by Local Trust to make a massive and lasting positive difference to the Sidley 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. They’re supported by a Big Local representative and two locally trusted organisations – Rother Voluntary Action and Southern Housing.

As they prepare their charity, Heart of Sidley Community Association, for the exciting future ahead, they continue to work towards the community’s priorities. They have a very proactive and driven group of people on board, who are all part of the Sidley community themselves. They ensure voices are heard and action is taken in their commitment to improving the area and opportunities for local people. For more information visit https://heartofsidley.co.uk/

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. We unlock change by contributing everything we can alongside people and organisations with brilliant ideas who share our goals.

The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK. In 2023, we provided £58.4m in funding towards a wide range of work in support of our aims. This includes additional funding to organisations we fund in response to the rising cost of living. We also provide social and impact investment for organisations with the aim of creating social and environmental impact. www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk

Future Creators & Talent Accelerator join forces on new project to help young people into creative employment across Sussex

Future Creators, part of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, and Talent Accelerator, part of De La Warr Pavilion, will lead the delivery of Coastal Catalyst, a 2-year partnership project that will develop new pathways into the creative industries for young people aged 14-25 along the Sussex Coastal Corridor.

Coastal Catalyst will see local authorities, educational institutions and businesses collaborate to build new creative employment opportunities and support young people into work. Supported by £900k funding from Arts Council England, the project will use cross-sector professional networks to drive investment into young people’s creative skills, ensuring economic growth across the Sussex coast, from Bognor Regis in the west to Bexhill in the east.

The creative sector offers huge opportunities for young people and economic growth across the South East. The creative industries are worth £125 billion to the UK – more than the life sciences, automotive manufacturing, aerospace and the oil and gas sectors combined. In Brighton & Hove alone they generated more than £1.5bn in turnover last year and employed more than 16,000 people. Coastal Catalyst will help unlock this potential for the benefit of the region.

Coastal Catalyst is led by Future Creators and Talent Accelerator, with other consortium members including: University of Brighton, Department for Work & Pensions, East Sussex College, Arun District Council and The Royal Society of Arts.

The project will establish new Creativity Hubs in Arun, Eastbourne/Newhaven and Bexhill, plus a satellite hub in East Brighton, and create more opportunities for young people to work in the creative sector, such as new job roles, work experience placements and apprenticeships. Coastal Catalyst seeks to co-create a place-based response to systemic challenges by working with and within local communities.

Future Creators is Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival’s initiative to work collaboratively to develop the creative potential, skills and voice of children and young adults across Sussex. Their ambition is to prove to the world that collective action can nurture the creativity of children and has long term, positive and measurable effects. By understanding local, regional and national context, they work together to shape and co-develop work that responds to need and will make a difference.

Talent Accelerator is a De La Warr Pavilion programme that supports young people (aged 14 to 25) into creative careers in East Sussex and is the inspiration and cornerstone of the transformational Creativity, Community and Skills capital programme. Talent Accelerator aims to raise understanding of the range of jobs available in the creative industries, develop high quality work experiences, opportunities for skills development and expand what creative businesses and cultural organisations can offer young people. In the first two years (2022 – 2024) 6,468 young people have gone through elements of the Talent Accelerator.

Coastal Catalyst is a Place Partnership project, funded by the Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant scheme.

Peter Chivers, Director of Future Creators, part of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, said:

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Talent Accelerator to lead this new programme. The creative industries offer huge opportunities for young people. Coastal Catalyst will unlock this by bringing together businesses, education partners and the creative sector to develop new pathways into employment in the sector. Young people are our future, and developing their creative skills will have long-term, positive and measurable benefits for the region.”

Stewart Drew, Director & CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion said:

“Our commitment to developing the skills that young people need to follow a career in the creative industries is at the heart of our Community, Creativity and Skills capital project and the future of our region. We are delighted that our highly successful Talent Accelerator programme will collaborate with Future Creators to reach more young people to fulfil their individual potential whilst contributing to the economy of Sussex as a whole.”

Thank you to our Holiday Artists, Reem Acason and Nancy Odufona

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to our two holiday family workshop artists, Reem Acason and Nancy Odufona for designing and delivering a series of exciting creative workshops to children of all ages, families, and adults during the school holidays over the last year. Their efforts brought in over 700 visitors to the Pavilion, giving everyone the opportunity to get creative and express themselves through a range of artistic techniques.

We caught up with both Reem and Nancy to ask them about their experience and what their future plans are:

What made this opportunity significant to you?

Reem: This has been a wonderful experience for me in numerous ways. The De la Warr Pavilion is a very special place, not only as an important cultural institution but also as the heart of community surrounding it. I have really enjoyed working in collaboration with Dee and Miguel in the Learning and Participation department and also Nancy Odufona, devising projects together but also learning about each others’ working practices. I feel that my understanding of the logistics, parameters and potential of delivering community projects has expanded immeasurably in my time working at DLWP.

Nancy: Working with another artist and sharing ideas for workshops was significant for me. It was nice to work as a team and collaborate closely with someone of colour.

In what ways did the program enhance your skills and professional practice?

Reem: I have always enjoyed working collaboratively but this programme has given me further experience and confidence in designing, developing and delivering projects alongside other professionals. I now feel much more confident applying for opportunities with other organisations in the future.

Nancy: The program allowed me to develop my skills in working with larger groups and young people. With a background in teaching in higher education, this experience expanded my ability to work with young people from ages 3 to 12.

How did consistently working with families differ from your usual practice?

Reem: I have delivered numerous workshops to groups of children and adults, but never to groups with mixed ages until now. This has been an overwhelming positive experience, watching the collaboration and cross pollination of ideas within families has been lovely to see.

Nancy: My experience has primarily been working with young people between 16-18. It was nice to see families come together and share skills. My mum used to take me to workshops when I was young, and this is where I became passionate about art and creativity, so it was wonderful to see groups of people enjoying themselves. The workshops are an opportunity for people and families to come together, learn, and have fun.

What was the highlight of your year or your favourite moment from the workshops?

Reem: Witnessing families and people of all ages and backgrounds spending quality time together, creating playful, open ended and experimental artwork. It has been lovely seeing children, or individuals who would not normally visit galleries, feel completely relaxed and happy in that environment.

Nancy: It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, as it has been a wonderful opportunity. However, if I had to choose, I would say that feeling connected to the De La Warr team and supported throughout was a highlight. This support allowed me to build my confidence in working with larger groups and coming up with engaging workshop ideas. It was wonderful to receive amazing support from the Learning and Participation team, as well as the volunteers. I truly felt like part of a team.

What was your most significant challenge, and what changes would you make?

Reem: The materials budget was a challenge and limited the types of artworks that participants could make. Most of the workshops we ran were craft based (cutting, sticking, gluing and colouring) but it would be great to expand this offering to other material processes. Having a larger budget would allow more freedom and ambition in outcomes.

Nancy: The most challenging thing for me was creating activities that were accessible for children. The first workshop I conducted involved making pom poms, which was really hard as it required tying knots and cutting wool with paper scissors. Despite the difficulty, it was rewarding because it enabled me to think about activities in a new way. I wanted to ensure that each activity would be accessible to all ages.

What are your future plans and goals as an artist?

Reem: I am currently half way through my MA Fine Art at Brighton University. I have recently formed a collective with two other artists and we have a group show in Bermondsey at the end of July. I am exhibiting in a group show in Germany next year. I am currently developing a new body of work including large installations which I am very much enjoying. I plan to continue exhibiting work in group shows and plan to create a body of work which could form a solo show in the future, hopefully at a gallery like DLWP!

Nancy: I am currently in the process of moving to Liverpool, and I’m excited to connect with the creative community in the city.

Once again, a huge thank you to Reem and Nancy for delivering such an incredible programme of holiday workshops, we wish you all the best for the future. Be sure to follow them both on Instagram to stay up-to-date with their latest projects!

Follow Reem on Instagram @reemacason
Follow Nancy on Instagram @nancyodufona

A Week of Work Experience at DLWP

Last week, we welcomed several work-experience students from local schools and colleges to DLWP. During their time here, they gained hands-on experience in different departments. They worked with our staff in exhibitions, live programming, tech, finances, marketing and box office to learn about the roles and develop new skills.

At the end of the week, one of our work experience students interviewed the others about their time at the Pavilion. They all agreed that they enjoyed their time at DLWP, finding the opportunity useful. Find out what they had to say below.

What have you enjoyed doing here?

Lily: All the work in the kitchen/shop area as I was able to engage with customers and people the most.

Kris: Everything.

Maple: Making the logo/poster and going to the flatland site.

Oriana: Learning new things such as light and sound tech.

Have you learned anything?

Lily: What happens behind the scenes of working at the De La Warr.

Kris: What goes on behind the scenes of an event.

Maple: How they set up and change the space for each exhibition.

Did you enjoy the week overall, why?

Lily: Yes as I have learned my new skills.

Kris: I enjoyed it as I did a variety of work.

Maple: Invigilator of an exhibition.

Oriana: Yes as I learnt so much new stuff.

Has this benefited you?

Lily: Yes, as I have learnt a lot of what goes on in the De La Warr.

Kris: Yeah, its taught me a lot about working here.

Maple: Yes, as I have seen what it’s like to have a job in an artistic place.

Oriana: Yeah.

Would you recommend this to someone?

Lily: Yes.

Kris: Yeah.

Maple: Yeah.

Oriana: If someone was interested.

It was a pleasure to have them and we thank them for all their hard work!

To learn more about our upcoming work experience and opportunities head to Talent Accelerator