SCARBOROUGH Creatives, a networking group for creative people in the Scarborough borough, will launch next month.
Leading the forum will be led by the Stephen Joseph Theatre and its new associate company, community producers Arcade, in collaboration with COAST, Scarborough’s Local Cultural, Education and Community Partnership.
The group will provide a network for creative talents to talk, share information and collaborate, meeting monthly, initially by Zoom.
Open to all art forms, artistic practices, abilities and levels of experience, professional or otherwise, it will be hosted by Rach Drew, from Arcade, and co-led by Ceri Smith, although it is envisaged this role eventually will be passed onto a freelance artist.
Rach says: “We’re hoping to engage with anyone in the borough who is creative in their everyday lives. That could be a professional actor or artist looking for people to develop projects with, or someone who knits and is unsure how to sell their work.
“We’ll be providing creative and practical help and, eventually, we aim to introduce a programme of inspiring speakers, based on what members need.”
Paul Robinson, the SJT’s artistic director, says: “We recognise there aren’t currently as many opportunities for professional development, training, funding or paid work in our area as there are in cities and other regions of the country.
“We’ll be aiming to promote and support people along their creative journey and help create opportunities to develop funding bids together.”
The first meeting of Scarborough Creatives will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, November 11 at 6pm. To join the session, book your ticket at: eventbrite.com/o/rach-drew-arcade-31519674997
For more information on the network, go to Arcade’s website, at hello-arcade.com/scarboroughcreatives or the Facebook group.
Scarborough Creatives is an inclusive and anti-racist group, open to people from all backgrounds. “The aim is that sessions will be as accessible as possible,” says Rach. “Please let us know if you have any access requirements when you express interest.”