The Setting Up Scheme
The Setting Up Scheme was a project that offered rent free studio space plus a comprehensive business development programme to designer-makers, multi-media, new media, eco-designers, photographers and public artists who wanted to establish their business in Greater Manchester. The Scheme was running for 13 years and has supported 109 artists through 56 Host Organisations.
Managed by Design Initiative, the Scheme 2006-08 operated across placements in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan.
In the main designers, designer -makers and craftspeople - with some visual artists and photographers - have all been supported by the Scheme over the last 13 years.
The artists on the last scheme were:
Vicki Smith
Rebecca McKnight
Kate Jessop
Jessica Williams
Jessica Emmett
Audrey Hayes
Miranda Meilleur
Jane Blease
The last Scheme also aimed to increase the number of eco-design, new media and multi-media businesses in the region. Artists were offered a 2 year placement within a Host Organisation, which provided a studio and day-to-day support. The artists received financial and professional support, including:
Workspace:
• a rent-free place to make work for 2 years
• access to specialist equipment and administrative facilities
Equipment loan
• Specialist equipment loan-free to the value of £2000
Promotion
• £500 towards exhibition costs
• £1500 towards the cost of an e-commerce web site
• Photography, marketing and PR
Advice and Support:
• Specialist monthly business planning workshops
• an attached one to one adviser for each artist
• professionals within the Host Organisation
• mentoring by experienced professional artists
• business skills and other specialist training
• mutual support of other artists on the Scheme
• a central co-ordinator for all artists on the Scheme
“The Setting Up Scheme is perfectly tailored to my creative needs, I saw it as an opportunity and a protected breathing space to develop my practice and gain business experience. A taster, of what its like to be creative in the mainstream ‘real’ world.” Michelle Brand, Eco-designer, Setting Up Scheme 05-06
In the last few years, Setting Up Scheme artists:
• have exhibited in Sydney, South Korea, Milan, USA, Mexico, Barcelona and Tokyo
• have secured prestigious commissions and awards nationally and internationally
• have had work represented at shows such as 100% Design, Collect, Dazzle and Chelsea Crafts Fair
• have had press coverage in a-n Magazine, Crafts, Blueprint, Elle Decoration, Vogue, Gardens Illustrated, The Guardian Weekend and on BBC TV
90% of Setting Up Scheme placements have established successful businesses by the end of their time on the Scheme
One example of how the Setting Up Scheme works is the new business established by Lucy May Schofield, Book Artist. She wanted to broaden her horizons and saw the opportunity to re-locate from Brighton to the North West as an inspiring challenge. Since the start of her 2005-06 placement at Manchester Metropolitan University she has exhibited in 15 exhibitions, nationally and internationally, including USA, Mexico and South Korea, curated two shows and launched new product ranges at two trade shows in London. Lucy has sold artists’ books to the Tate Britain Library. Her stockists include Fenwicks of Bond Street, Fortnum & Mason and Le Bon Marche, Paris, all secured through exhibiting at national selling events and recently has been featured in Elle Decoration and ES Magazine, (The Evening Standard, London).
Setting Up Scheme Pick & Mix Business Development
Design Initiative also ran a 2 year business development programme entitled “Pick & Mix”. This workshop programme is running throughout venues in Greater Manchester and was open to all creatives nationally. Topics to date have included, “Preparing your portfolio”, “IPR and Copyright”, “Marketing and Promotion” and “Funding and Support’.
At present we have no details on a new scheme, but interest can be registered by emailing info@designinit.org.uk.
STOP PRESS: New Placement Scheme Launched
The newly launched Certificate in Professional Development Business and Enterprise in the Creative and Performing Arts - Liverpool Hope University is the closest thing to the Setting Up Scheme currently available in the North West of England. It offers up to two years of access to specialist equipment, advice and peer and mentoring support within an enlightened Host environment. The management team at Hope have specifically created the Certificate to fill the gap created by the lack of a Setting Up Scheme or the Crafts Council "Next Move" Scheme for new small creative businesses.
Enrolment onto the Certificate costs just £15 a week and is payable monthly to a total of £1560.
For further details please initially contact Neil Campbell either by e-mail to campben@hope.ac.uk or you can make enquiries by phone to 07736 082978
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