Enrolling now for January 2016

Steps to Self-Employment 2016

Are you running or thinking about setting up your own business in a creative area?

Steps to Self-employment is a programme offering a range of support for anyone thinking about setting up or in the early stages of running their own business. From January 2016 it will consist of three different stages, learners can take part in any one of the three stages or do each one in sequence over the whole of the academic year.

The group discussions and assignments are all designed to increase knowledge and develop a range of skills that are rarely taught at university or art college                                 

Sue Halstead 2009

I still keep work diaries and use time-lines, tools I learned on the course. I

gained in self-confidence, met like-minded people and have sold some

work.

Lesley Harper 2010

I found the course really useful because it made me focus on how I want to

use my creative skills to find work

Laura Hickman 2009

The course also offered me the chance to take part in a professional exhibition where I could exhibit my artwork and also meet contacts which enabled me to open my own business.

Charlotte Clark 2013

This course has been a lifeline for me. From my very first session I have gone away with practical advice and goal orientated structure. I've enjoyed

meeting other creative people (undertaking the course and as guest lecturers) and feeling the sense of connection...

Suki Bassi July 2013

the course helped me examine the creative process and investigate different forms of revenue

Nikki Palmer 2014

Stage 1: An introduction to creative enterprise (10 weeks)

‘Steps to Self-Employment’ stage 1 gives an overview of different options for freelance working. During the course you will be encouraged to explore ways of working as a freelancer in the creative sector and to investigate opportunities for creative freelancers locally and regionally.  Topics will include:

• investigating enterprise skills
• the basics of business record keeping
• action planning for your business
• ways of working in the freelance sector
• working creatively in the local community

Stage 2: Marketing your Creative Business using Social Media (10 weeks)

‘Steps to Self-Employment’ stage 2 gives an overview of Social Media marketing for creative businesses.

The course will provide an outline of ways of marketing your creative business online in particular focusing on how Social Media can be used to build your business profile.

Topics will include:

·        Identifying and targeting your customers

·        Using Twitter to market your creative business

·        Promoting your business using a Facebook page

·        Improving your Search Engine optimisation (SEO)

·        Using Pinterest and Instagram for visual marketing

·        Maximising your profile on LinkedIn

·        Using Youtube for business promotion

Stage 3: Setting up a showcase exhibition (10 weeks)

‘Steps to Self-Employment’ stage 3 is aimed at people with creative skills who would like to set up their own business. The course provides a launch platform for emerging or start-up businesses making their first steps to promote their work. 

During the course learners will analyse their business skills and aims. They will complete a written business profile and work with others to mount a public exhibition of their work.

Topics will include:

·        your business and your values

·        completing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats)

·        marketing your business

·        pricing your work

·        organising and presenting your work as part of a showcase exhibition

Course dates:

Courses will take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - times to be confirmed.

Venue:

The courses take place at The Maltings, Herbert Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1NQ

How do I find out more?

For further details please contact Moya Lloyd via email:moya.lloyd@aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk. You can also call the Creative Studies department on 01902 558164

Join us for our Showcase exhibition - launch at Bilston Craft Gallery on Wednesday 3rd June

You are cordially invited to attend a private view of

The Steps to self-employment Showcase exhibition
at the First Floor Gallery, Bilston Craft Gallery,

Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14 7LU

on Wednesday 3rd June 2015 from 4.30-6.30

ALL WELCOME

Please join us for light refreshments and a chance to purchase new work by local artists & makers. The private view provides a special opportunity to buy original art and crafts and discuss commissions and services directly.

The exhibition continues until the 27th of June 2015

Opening times:

Tuesday & Thursday: 10am - 4pm, Wednesday: 10am - 7pm

Friday: 10am – 1pm  Saturday: 11am - 4pm  

Here's a preview of some of the work that will be on display:

 Recycled Bags by David Morrin - Woven Planet

 Embroidery & Jewellery by Paula Kovacs - Randomocracy

 Automata by Ruth Watkins

 Home accessories by Sharon Samuel -The Sewing Lounge

Painting by Steve Edwards - Graffoflarge

Are you a Creative Business looking for support with Social Media Marketing?

Are you running or thinking about setting up your own business in a creative area?

Are you self-employed?

Wolverhampton Adult Education Service are running a course for artists and other creative businesses who want to find out how to promote themselves for free using Social Media.

An introduction to Social Media will include an overview of the most widely used forms of Social Media including; how to showcase your work on social media, setting up a business page on Facebook and networking on Twitter

The course runs for 10 weeks (3 hours per week) and includes advice from expert speakers as well as a chance to get hands on with setting up their Social Media accounts.

Guest speakers include; Rebekah Harriman, Sarah Stokes and Jacqui Dodds.

An introduction to Social Media will take place at The Maltings, Herbert Street, WV1 1NQ Wolverhampton  for 10 weeks. 

Next course dates: 
To be confirmed - will be starting from October 2015

The course costs £108. It is free for learners who are unemployed and in receipt of JSA or ESA (working related element). 

For further information contact Moya Lloyd via email: moya.lloyd@aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk 

Support for Artists & Creative Businesses in Wolverhampton

Steps to Self-Employment

Are you running or thinking about setting up your own business in a creative area?

Are you self-employed?

"This course has been a lifeline for me. From my very first session I have gone away with practical advice and goal orientated structure. I've enjoyed meeting other creative people (undertaking the course and as guest lecturers) and feeling the sense of connection..."

Suki Bassi Artist July 2013

“[the course has given me] confidence and support. I’ve increased my prices and looked at my business to see how I can improve it”

Clare Sherwen Printmaker and Fine Artist, Clare’s Prints July 2013

Course details

‘Steps to Self-Employment’ aims to equip creative businesses with the essential skills to help them make a living. During the course you will be encouraged to explore ways of working as a freelancer and develop the skills needed for freelance working including;

-Building confidence in talking about your work and approaching and negotiating with organisations

-Understanding pricing, invoicing and tax

-Identifying promotional tools including social networking

-Seeking opportunities

-How to capitalise on local knowledge and resources

-Organising and presenting your work as part of a showcase exhibition 

Our next course starts in September 2015 at The Maltings, Herbert Street, Wolverhampton.

Course requirements

Learners would be expected to have considerable experience in their area of practice/business.

Learners should also have IT skills including word processing and the use of email and Internet.

What are the benefits of this course?

Participants will be able to build their confidence as freelancers and creative businesses and gain an insight into ways of working and opportunities available within the West Midlands region.

There will be an opportunity to present work as part of a course showcase taking place at the Foyer building at Wolverhampton City Learning Quarter.

Learners will be able to network with other artists and creative businesses as well as a variety of arts professionals who will deliver talks during the course.

How will I learn?

Sessions include group seminars, one to one tutorials, visiting speakers and visits. Some sessions will include working on computers. During the course learners will undertake a series of course assignments and tasks including a weekly progress diary, compiling statement about your work, completing a SWOT analysis and compiling an action plan.

Learners will also be expected to prepare and install their work as part of the course showcase exhibition as well as contributing to the organising and marketing of this event.

How will my progress be monitored and assessed?

The course tutor will provide written and verbal feedback on course assignments.

In additional to the learning aims and objectives of the course, learners will set their personal learning goals at the beginning of the course and progress towards achieving these will be regularly reviewed.

The course is non-accredited

How much does it cost?

Each course runs for 10 weeks for 2 hours per week.
Learners will be expected to mount their work to a professional standard for the course showcase event. This may be associated with additional costs for example the mounting and framing of work where relevant.
Learners in receipt of Job Seekers allowance or Employment Support Allowance (working related) will be exempt from fees.

What will I be able to do after this course?

Learners will be able to operate on a freelance basis, including promoting their business, approaching organisations and networking.

How do I find out more?

For further info contact Moya Lloyd via email at moya.lloyd@aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk or call Creative Studies on 01902 558164.

Steps to Self-employment exhibition - launch event Tuesday 27th January 6-8pm

          

You are cordially invited to attend a private view of

Steps to Self-employment Showcase exhibition

at the Foyer Building exhibition space

City Learning Quarter

Old Hall Street Wolverhampton  WV1 3AU

on Tuesday the 27^th of January 2015 from 6-8pm

ALL WELCOME

Please join us for light refreshments and a chance to purchase new work by local artists & creative businesses.     

The exhibition showcases the work of seven new creative businesses based in the West Midlands. The creative businesses featured in the show include Fine Art, Picture framing, Photography, Wedding accessories and Gift wrap.

The private view provides a special opportunity to buy original art and crafts and discuss commissions and services directly with the artists and businesses.

Opening Times:   Monday – Thursday 9-7.30pm Friday 9-4pm                     

The exhibition continues until the 27^th of February 2015

Queen of He-arts

Bellingham Weddings

Grand Finale Giftwrap