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

STEPS Showcase exhibition - opens on the 21st January at the Foyer Building

You are cordially invited to attend a private view of:

STEPS Showcase 2014

at the Foyer Building exhibition space

City Learning Quarter

Old Hall Street Wolverhampton (opposite Sainsbury's) WV1 3AU

on Tuesday 21st of January 2014 from 6-8pm

ALL WELCOME

Please join us for light refreshments and a chance to purchase new work by regional artists.     

The exhibition showcases the work of nine new or emerging creative businesses based in the West Midlands. The creative businesses featured in the show include Fine Art, Architectural illustration, Ceramics, Jewellery, T-Shirts, Crafts and Photo-imaging.

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

 Kumi's T-shirts

 String of Roses

 Sarah Stokes

 Mark Baker

 Soul Sweet Beads

 Carl Greenaway

 Prakash Patel

 Daniel Preece

  

 Margaret Finnikin

Opening Times:
Monday – Thursdays 9-7.30pm

Fridays 9-4pm

The exhibition continues until Monday 24^th February 2014

Survival Skills for Creative Business - enrolling now for February 2014

Steps to Self-employment

Survival skills for creative businesses

Glass Jewellery by Designer Maker

Charlotte Clark participant

in the course 2012

Wolverhampton Adult Education Service offers a unique programme for artists and Creative Businesses.

Steps to Self-employment aims to equip artists with the essential skills to help them make a living. During the course you will be encouraged to explore ways of working as an artist and hone the following skills;

• Confidence in talking about your work and approaching and negotiating with organisations
•  Compiling a CV
• Understanding pricing, invoicing and tax
•  Identifying promotional tools including social networking
• Seeking opportunities
• How to capitalise on local knowledge and resources

All this is done in a friendly and supportive environment where you can meet like-minded people. 

Who can take part?

It is suitable for people with creative skills working in a variety of disciplines. This has included painting, photography, storytelling, music,poetry, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, animation, film-making, illustration and many more. Participants are normally graduates in their art form or have considerable experience of their discipline area.

What does the course involve?

The sessions will incorporate seminars with group discussion, individual tasks and visiting speakers. There’s an opportunity to participate in a showcase event in February or May 2014.

For more than a decade the course has supported many artists making their first steps into self-employment or arts related employment, for example; selling work through craft fairs and exhibitions, working in schools, arts and health, gallery education work, arts development, public art commissions and community arts.

Artists and businesses who complete the course successfully, benefit from increased confidence and direction and a ‘Toolkit’ to assist them in the development of their career.

Course dates and costs:

The next course starts on Tuesday the 25th February 2014 from 1-3pm at Bilston Craft Gallery.

The course runs for 15 weeks and costs £108, if you are in receipt of JSA (Job Seekers Allowance) or Work related ESA (Employment Support Allowance) you will be exempt from fees. There are also discretionary discounts for learners on benefits who are seeking employment.

If you have any questions about the course contact Moya Lloyd via email: creative_connections@hotmail.co.uk . For details of how to enrol telephone the Adult Education Service on 01902 558180 or refer to the website: How do I enrol?