"The Next Step" [Workshop]

This workshop helps you take stock of your established* business, review your achievements, consider options for development, kick start new plans, and renew motivation. “…good thought provoking stuff which will help in my future plans.” The Next Step workshop participant What to Expect The workshop includes exercises and plenty of discussion to help you examine the things that you are passionate about, those you are the best at and those that make financial sense for your future. You'll do one short exercise before the workshop to help focus your thinking and start the reflective process. This paper exercise will establish the skills, relationships, profile and rewards that connect your experiences to date and support your future choices. You’ll start by discussing your journey to date and the options that lie ahead. Download The Next Step Exercise What You'll Get Out of It Reassurance, clarity, confidence and greater understanding of how to progress the next stage of your business by identifying; the values which are indispensable to you and your business what changes could help you utilise time and money more efficiently what you want to consolidate or eliminate in order to move your business forward “Was a really good experience even for the fact of meeting up with other creative individuals in the same boat. Reassured that I am still on the right track even if I don’t yet have a lot of the answers” “Learned how to clarify my activities against time spent and income generated. These exercises will help me focus my business plan” “Began to explore what my real desires are in what I want to do against what I could achieve and generate a decent income” “Financial efficiency will be my new favourite phrase” How to book This workshop is free but we do request a £10 refundable deposit to secure your place. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. To reserve a place, please emailevents@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk or call 0844 544 9990, unless stated otherwise. *This workshop is aimed at individuals who have been running their business for 3 or more years. Disclaimer: The event organisers may take photographs at this event and reserve the right to use any photos taken. They may be used in marketing materials, appearing either in printed documents or on related websites. Your consent of this condition is appreciated and will assist in the promotion of future events. Your attendance signifies your acceptance of these terms and conditions. Forthcoming Workshops Are Listed Below If you would like to be notified when future workshops are scheduled please emailevents@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk

Aberdeen - The Next Step in partnership with Creative Cultures Scotland Tuesday 22 March 2011, 13:00-16:45

Small World: how are you connected? [Networking event]

Small World: how are you connected? event in Aberdeen on Tuesday 22 March [6.00 - 8.00pm] of interest. Ink Evangelist Johanna Basford will be contributing to the event.

Further details are below and can be found on our website.

Small World: how are you connected? in partnership with Creative Cultures Scotland

Tuesday 22 March 2011, 18:00-20:00, Aberdeen Arts Centre

If the event is of interest please call / email to find out further information and to book.

Aberdeen - The Next Step: in partnership with Aberdeen City Council (CEO)

Keeping Your Creative Business on Track

Studio Workshop, Whitespace, 60 Frederick Street, Aberdeen AB24 5HY
Friday 4 June 2010, 13:00-16:45

• Do you need reassurance that you are on the right track or support in choosing which path to follow next?
• Struggling to balance the things you want to do with the things that make financial sense?
• Trying to weigh up which aspects of your business to develop and those to abandon?

This workshop provides an opportunity to take stock of your achievements to date and explore the options that lie ahead. You can use it to review your business plan, kick start the next plan, have a reality check or remotivate yourself.
Aimed at anyone working in the cultural and creative industries who has been running their own business for 3 years or more. You may have already attended our Starting Out workshop and now be looking for support with your next set of challenges.

What to Expect
You will examine the things that you are passionate about, those you are the best at and those that make financial sense for your future. You'll do one short exercise before the workshop to help focus your thinking and start the reflective process. The workshop includes practical exercises and discussion:

• Where am I at? – mapping your journey to date and the options that lie ahead. This paper exercise will establish the skills, relationships, profile and rewards that connect your experiences to date and support your future choices.
• Reinforce your values – identify the values which are indispensable to you and your business.
• Worth the investment – determine whether your current working is lucrative and what changes could help you utilise time and money more efficiently.
• Risky business? – explore the roles, responsibilities and risks involved in the different options for your development.
• The next step – decide what you want to consolidate and what you want to change in order to move your business forward.

What You'll Get Out of It
Reassurance, clarity, confidence and greater understanding of how to progress the next stage of your business.

Who'll Be Delivering the Session
Carol Sinclair, Edinburgh Adviser, Cultural Enterprise Office. Carol has been working within the creative industries for the last 20 years, combining running her own ceramics practice with delivering business support and training for a range of cultural enterprises. She is a ceramics graduate of Grays School of Art in Aberdeen and has 14 years experience of running her own studio and gallery in Edinburgh. Working as a business adviser and trainer for the last 10 years Carol joined the CEO team in 2005. She was a founder member of artists collective design-Ed, is a former director of Applied Arts Scotland, has been a specialist adviser for the Scottish Arts Council and is currently a member of two of the Creative and Cultural Skills Council's employers groups, Scottish and crafts. Carol is also involved in a variety of projects with organisations which support creative practitioners and most recently include Ideasmart, craftscotland and Glasgow School of Art. She is currently working with Edinburgh College of Art on a 4 year employability project supporting the development and delivery of professional practice for students.

In Other Words

“Was a really good experience even for the fact of meeting up with other creative individuals in the same boat. Reassured that I am still on the right track even if I don’t yet have a lot of the answers”

“Learned how to clarify my activities against time spent and income generated. These exercises will help me focus my business plan”

“Began to explore what my real desires are in what I want to do against what I could achieve and generate a decent income”

“…good thought provoking stuff which will help in my future plans.”

“Financial efficiency will be my new favourite phrase”

How to Book
You'll be pleased to hear this event is free. Please contact Whitespace on 01224 523640 to reserve your place.

How to Get There:
Studio Workshop, Whitespace, 60 Frederick Street, Aberdeen AB24 5HY

Click here for a map.

Thank you - networking night attendees

We just wanted to thank everyone who came to the Networking night tonight (Tuesday 4th August) - it was a pleasure to see so many positive, energetic people discussing their Open Studios "ideas"...

We had a fantastic show n tell from the Spring Fling's Adam & Amanda - some amazing stories of how Artists, Makers and Galleries are using the Spring Fling to test and try out new projects and ways of interacting with new audiences (and sustaining them!). Emma Pattullo and Madge Wards gave some excellent insights and stories as to how their NEOS experiences have shaped their approach to making work and showing / interacting with their audiences.

A big thanks to Philip Thompson (Creative Cultures Scotland) and Helen Voce (Cultural Enterprise Office) for facilitating a wonderfully social event.

Networking Night

Refreshing the Visitor and Participant Open Studio Experience 4 August 2009

NEOS are proud to work with Creative Cultures Scotland and the Cultural Enterprise Office to bring you a chance to network before your NEOS '09 event - and hear from makers and organisers of Scotland's longest running Open Studios - the Spring Fling...

Emma Patullo will also be talking about making the most of your NEOS event as well as other juicy and helpful snippets of information.

The event will be held at Mill Farm, Kemnay, Inverurie AB51 5NY Tuesday 4 August 2009, 18:00-20:00

For full details & registration, please visit : http://www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/website/events_training.asp?view=&type=events&item=10512#10512

spaces are limited to 50 so please book early to avoid disappointment!

Networking Opportunity with Creative Cultures & Cultural Enterprise Office

Creative Cultures and the Cultural Enterprise Office are working together on a short series of networking nights inviting speakers to introduce their creative practice and inspire discussion with the gathered creative community.

Creating Collaboration: A Process That WorksThursday 18 June 2009, 18:00-20:00Peacock Visual Arts, 21 Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5BQ

How do collaborative relationships come about and evolve? What sort of resources do they need? What are the opportunities and challenges faced when collaborating whether within the creative industries or across others? What do you achieve when you collaborate and importantly where does this take you professionally?Visual artists Deirdre Nelson (Glasgow) and David Blyth (Huntly) will talk about why they choose to collaborate in their practice and explore the impact this has had on the development of their work and career.

Due to the space limitations, we can only accept 70 attendees for this networking event. The Cultural Enterprise Office are taking all bookings - so please email : events@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk or call 0844 544 9990 to reserve your space. This event is free.

Aberdeen – Making Applications & Proposals

Cultural Enterprise Office Events

Aberdeen – Making Applications & Proposals
Thursday 29 January 2009, 13:30-16:30
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1FQ

To coincide with Aberdeen Visual Arts Award scheme we are running this practical workshop for individuals, working in any artform, on making applications and proposals for funding, commissions and residencies.

Aimed primarily at individuals making applications and proposals concerning their own creative practice rather than for group and organisation applications. Making Applications and Proposals workshops have attracted over 300 artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, performers, writers, photographers and community artists.

The session will cover planning and structuring your approach with the key information you need to convey in your application. We will also discuss what funders and commissioners are looking for and the materials needed to support your proposal.

This workshop is supported by Aberdeen City Council.

"Excellent presentation - offered help on structuring through the panic."

How to Book
You'll be pleased to hear this event is free but we request a £10 deposit to secure your place. To reserve a place, please email events@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk or call 0844 544 9990.

Starting Out - creative busienss

Cultural Enterprise Office events

Aberdeen - Starting Out

19 March 2009 13:00-16:45

Aberdeen Foyer, Marywell Centre, Marywell Street, Aberdeen AB11 6JF

Still trying to get to grips with becoming self-employed? Or do you have a few years under your belt but want to check you are on the right track?

The Starting Out workshop is specifically tailored for practising creative professionals and offers an ideal opportunity to share the experiences and realities of operating, financing and making a living from your creative practice or business.

Aimed at anyone with an interest in working in the cultural and creative industries and wanting to establish a business in the sector. Starting Out workshops have attracted over 1200 artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, performers, writers, photographers and community artists.