Are you an East Midlands based disabled Artist or Producer?

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Create & Connect is a new leadership development programme for disabled working class artists and producers living and working in the East Midlands.

 

Thanks to Arts Council England funding, this year-long pilot programme of activity will work with a cohort of up to 16 East Midlands based disabled artists and producers who want to develop their skills, knowledge and practice in the arts. 

 

Create & Connect offers:

• Monthly mentoring sessions with highly experienced mentors with senior experience and who are arts practitioners and executives

• Online networking events

• Professional development training

• The opportunity to share learning and ideas, connect with peers and regional industry professionals, organisations and partners in a culmination.

 

Create & Connect aims to support the progression and development of this first cohort of artists and producers, empowering them to create and develop their artistic and producing ideas, identify their needs and opportunities regionally and nationally, develop skills and training,explore goals and ambitions, build confidence and raise their profile, and explore long term strategic planning to support sustainable progression and employment in the arts.  

 

We are searching for disabled artists or producers who define as disabled and who are living and working in the East Midlands and who would benefit from 1-2-1 mentoring training and support to develop their practice and skills. Priority will be given to working class artists who apply. We are seeking artists from the following artforms - Theatre, Dance, Music, Visual Art. There is no age limit, but candidates must demonstrate why they would benefit from working with a mentor and how it will develop their practice. 

 

Sessions are held online with the opportunity for one in person meeting for the final culmination gathering. ​​​

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​​​​​​​​Who is it for?​​

This opportunity is for you if you’re disabled, live and work in the East Midlands, and you would like to take your work to the next stage. Perhaps you’d like advice with funding, writing a business plan, or making a website. You may want to connect with other artists like you. If you feel like you would like help to progress, then this might be for you.

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What do I get?

Create & Connect offers:

• Monthly online mentoring sessions with highly experienced mentors with senior experience and who are arts practitioners and executives

• Online networking events

• Professional development training

• The opportunity to share learning and ideas, connect with peers and regional industry professionals, organisations and partners in a culmination.

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Where do I apply?

 Fill in the short application form here.

Alternatively you can send a video MP4 no longer than 4 minutes long stating why you would like this opportunity and how you feel it will make a difference to you. 

Please send any videos to candcdisabledleaders@gmail.com 

Priority will be given to working class artists

 

Deadline for applications:  6th April 2026

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