the blog

It’s tough being a creative freelancer or running your own creative/cultural organisation. But it’s also true that we are stronger together. That’s why we’re super excited to be launching a new action learning (group coaching) programme for fellow artists, creative freelancers and people running creative organisations in Tendring. Entirely free, the aim through this group coaching […]Read More

Following research carried out by the hub team, Manchester City Council is set to earmark almost £250,000 to support grassroots music venues in the city and help them share the success of the city’s summer of music. Last year, the hub was commissioned by Manchester Music City (MMC) to carry out research into the city’s […]Read More

As the new year kicks in, we’re excited to be opening up a limited number of new spaces in the two action learning sets we run with the lovely folk at Creative Colchester. Running until July 2025, these groups brings together local creative practitioners/ producers once a month, in person and virtually. They are part […]Read More

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb   As someone who’s been involved in promoting, producing or touring culturally diverse music for more than 25 years now (eek!), I’m really excited to be facilitating Arts Council England’s ROUTES Beyond WOMEX ‘open space’ event at […]Read More

Everyone feels anxious from time to time; it’s just part and parcel of being human. But for creative freelancers and entrepreneurs, it can often feel like anxiety is the major clause in a contract we unwittingly signed with ourselves the day we decided to take the self-employment path. So, with the theme of this year’s […]Read More

Last Sunday (10 October) was World Mental Health Day, and to mark it we ran Made For Each Other, a day of free digital talks, workshops and coaching sessions, made by and for creative freelancers to help us all take a few moments for our own wellbeing and creativity. It was part of the hub’s […]Read More

Made For Each Other is a day of free digital talks, workshops and coaching sessions, made by and for creative freelancers to help us all take a few moments for our own wellbeing and creativity on World Mental Health Day. It’s part of the hub’s ongoing Balance programme, which helps creatives take better care of […]Read More

As things start to open up again, it’s a big moment for lots of us in the creative sector; some are heading back to work or pitching for new gigs, others finding that their careers remain on hold. Many of us find ourselves riddled with fear and insecurities. The truth of course is that, no […]Read More

“The course helped me put my values into real focus, not only regarding what I want for my business but also what I want and need for myself and my family. It was refreshing to do a course where both of these aspects felt equally important. It’s also really helped me drill down into what […]Read More

“It was great to spend time thinking about practical solutions…Lovely, warm atmosphere too; the way you facilitated made it easy to chat or add comments, which were all picked up and woven in beautifully. It was great – thank you!” Katharine, poet (on our 1st edition of this course)   Balance your mind is the […]Read More