Bright Space Creative Careers Festival ran from 28-9 January 2011 at Midlands Arts Centre.

“A free festival for young people, teachers and parents that explores careers in the Creative Industries”

The Bright Space Creative Careers Festival was a two-day festival for young people aged 13-18 that showcased careers within the creative and cultural industries in an innovative and original way.  Young people played a central role in the design, development and delivery of the event, so as to ensure that their voice remained at the heart of the information, advice and guidance offered.

The Festival was in response to the curiosity shown by a significant number of young people through Bright Space’s Creative Partnerships School’s Programme, who expressed an interest in having a greater understanding of the pathways into the creative industries. 

 The creative and cultural sectors offer a multitude of opportunities for interesting careers but the pathways to them are often unclear with restricted access and a lack of advice given by careers advisors and parents/carers.  More information and support from the sectors could help ensure that young people, particularly those from less affluent backgrounds are able to make the most of these opportunities. The festival also offered the creative industries an opportunity to harness the talent of all those who are able and aspire to make a contribution regardless of their socio-economic or cultural backgrounds.

Up to 1000 young people attended Bright Space Creative Careers Festival with their teachers and parents, taking part in a wide range of practical workshops and discussion panels. They also had the opportunity to meet and talk to experts from across the creative industries.

The majority of the feedback implied an excited and inspired participant experience, which has helped develop aspirations and potential opportunities for young people and teachers from across the West Midlands. Attendees agreed that this event was essential, as they would not have had access to this information, advice and guidance elsewhere. The majority also agreed that they would attend future events, of a similar nature, if they were run again. This was particularly voiced by the young people.

Chloe, 18, volunteer said: ‘this event just demonstrates how massive and important the creative industries are to modern culture and society’ (Chloe, 18, Volunteer)