The music / festival / events industry is something that should be accessible for everyone. The festival industry in particular is one of the fastest growing and the best place for young creatives to learn, grow their talent, find their niche and expand their networks. However it is also one that doesn’t have a clear career path into it unless you know the ‘right people’ to get your foot in the door. Which is why I’ve been working with many different organisations over the past few years to help create these pathways.
Below is a list of Bristol organisations who are working to make the festival / events industry more accessible. Most of them I work with personally, or have done in the past. If you know any young people (or just new to their creative craft in some cases!) who are looking for a space to connect with and learn about this field – please share this page with them. The industry needs new blood and new ideas to thrive!
The list below is not exhaustive – please do send through any you think should be added! This list is a mix of educational facilities, independent organisations and those who work with both.
Organisations
ace (Aspiration, Creation, elevation)
Aspiration Creation Elevation empowers disadvantaged young people through arts activities, role-model guidance, and inspirational experiences to tackle barriers preventing them from reaching their potential in life. Through a range of projects and programmes, they positively engage young people across inner-city Bristol, providing fun, supportive, and empowering outlets that help build skills, confidence, and aspirations. We aim to build a change from within. Based at the Docklands centre in St Pauls, Bristol.
access creative college
A refurbished education centre that has been designed to be bright, colourful and exciting. The space is hyper-social with dedicated areas for networking between lessons. The place is kitted out from top to bottom with the best, industry grade equipment, with courses provided to create an understanding of the tools and skills needed to really flourish. Based in Broadmead, central Bristol.
babassa
Babbasa inspires and supports under-represented young people in Bristol to pursue their ambitions through skills training, professional mentoring, events and recruitment support services. Whether you (or a young person) are looking for career guidance or want to speak to someone about any worries you’re having, we’re here to help. All support is completely free! Based in St Pauls, Bristol.
big team
Big Team’s goal is to try and open up opportunities for young people in the city who have traditionally been excluded from the festival industry, starting with our own company and events – with a long term goal to make our events more inclusive spaces by diversifying groups who create, contribute to and attend them. Based in St Werburghs, Bristol, but with outreach sessions in different parts of the city.
Big Team currently have paid placements in Love Saves The Day : Site Crew / Production Site Crew / Accreditation / Artist Liaison / Sustainability and an unpaid shadowing placement with the Marketing Growth Manager
BIMM
BIMM Institute Bristol courses have been designed and developed with the industry, for the industry. This means that everything learned while studying with them is 100% relevant for when moving into the workplace. This is a university level institute with a varied amount of courses depending on what you want to look at. Based in Central Bristol
Bristol Youth Studios
Bristol Youth Studios is a new modern music programme created by Bristol Beacon for 13 – 17 year olds. Bristol Youth Studios is a space to experiment with making music, try something new and collaborate with others. Recreate some of your favourite tracks or work on your own original music whilst learning music production, DJ skills, rap and vocals. Based at Access Creative College, above.
DBS
An educational, state-of-the-art facility equipped with 11 recording and production studios, live rooms, dedicated surround sound studio, Foley room, VR Lab, and a mastering suite. Facilities also include an exceptional lecture theatre and mac suites. The Bristol campus is also the only education facility in the UK to house the extraordinary API 1608 Recording Console and offers a broad and varied range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Based in St Pauls and central Bristol.
knowle west media centre
Knowle West Media Centre supports people to make positive changes in their lives and communities, using technology and the arts to come up with creative solutions to problems and explore new ways of doing things. Current projects include skills training and employment opportunities for young people, supporting community organisations across Bristol in their work, and a diverse range of creative programmes exploring issues from housing to health. Based in Knowle West, Bristol
south bristol youth
South Bristol Youth works with schools and creative organisations to challenge young people’s perceptions of themselves and what they can achieve, give positive, specific feedback to help them bring out their best attitudes and behaviours, and encourage optimism – a simple word, with a powerful impact.
