Blick Creative Roundup July – August
Our summary of some interesting and useful opportunities, events and resources over the next couple of months.
FUNDING, SUPPORT & OPPORTUNITIES
Northern Ireland Screen Short Film Funding
Northern Ireland Screen have launched their short film funding call. Funding is available for talent to produce live action, factual and virtual reality short films normally up to 15 minutes in length.
Individual level deadline: 18th August
Company level deadline: 29th September
More info: https://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/funding/funding-calls/
Anthology Creative Awards
The Anthology Creative Awards are now open for entries. Established to encourage and promote visual artists and writers, the Anthology Creative Awards provide a platform for emerging creatives to publish their work. There are six categories: Photography, Cover Art, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Travel Writing and Poetry. The winner of each category will win a cash prize and publication in a future issue of the internationally-distributed Anthology magazine.
Closing date: Sept/ Oct 2023
More info: https://anthology-magazine.com/category/awards/
QEST Awards and Emerging Maker Grants
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) awards scholarship and apprenticeship funding of up to £18,000 to talented and aspiring craftspeople working in a broad range of skills, from farriery and jewellery design, to silversmithing, dry stone walling, glassblowing cheese maturing, sculpture and more.
In addition to the Scholarship and Apprenticeship funding, QEST are excited to launch the Emerging Maker Grants this summer. This new funding opportunity supports talented early-career craftspeople in their development. Makers with four years or less of professional practice, who have a strong connection to materials, technical skills and processes, can apply for up to £10,000.
The funding specifically supports training and education to enable makers to enhance their craft skills and advance their careers. The training can take many forms, from traditional college courses to vocational one-on-one training with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses.
Three ‘How To’ sessions will be held via Zoom to introduce interested makers to the different funding available, tips and advice for filling in applications and the opportunity for Q&A:
How to Apply for a Scholarship – Wednesday 12 July, 1pm-2pm
How to Apply for an Apprenticeship – Tuesday 18 July, 1pm-2pm
How to Apply for an Emerging Makers Grant – Thursday 20 July, 1pm-2pm
Deadline for applications: 5pm, Monday 14th August 2023.
More info: www.qest.org.uk/apply
Benchspace Designer In Residence Programme
This programme endeavours to bring established designers and makers from outside of County Cork, Ireland, to showcase their work and contribute fresh perspectives to the professional makers at Benchspace. It affords the successful candidate the opportunity to create a new body of work or facilitate the exploration of innovative methodologies, within the creative community at Ireland’s first, shared, creative manufacturing hub, based in Cork City.
Programme details:
– 4 week residency across August and September 2023
– Access and inductions to benchspace’s professional workshops (wood, fine-metal, digital fabrication, product photography and digital design)
– Individual studio workspace within our shared workshop
– €2000 to put towards travel, accommodation and expenses
– €200 materials budget
Contact programmes@benchspacecork.ie if you have any questions.
Closing date: Sunday 2nd July
More info: https://benchspacecork.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Designer-in-Residence-2023-Final.pdf
Poetry with Pride Submissions
Belfast Pride is now seeking submissions for 2023’s Poetry with Pride magazine – a digital publication celebrating queer poetry in Belfast. They’re especially eager to publish poetry by members of the LGBT+ community in Belfast but we also welcome submissions from LGBT+ writers across the island of Ireland and further afield.
Submissions guidelines:
Poems to be no longer than 30 lines, with a maximum of three poems per submission.
Deadline for submissions: 6th July 2023.
Please email your work as a Word doc or pdf attachment to toby.buckley@belfastpride.com.
August Craft Month Exhibition
Craft NI are pleased to invite applications to take part in their August Craft Month exhibition 2023. This exhibition will have a number of prizes aimed at supporting makers at different stages of their careers. The exhibition will take place during August and into September, as part of August Craft Month celebrations, held in the Craft NI Gallery, Belfast’s only dedicated crafts venue. All exhibitors will benefit from the promotional activity around August Craft Month, the support of Craft NI communications and Gallery staff and profile on Craft NI’s exhibition website. There will also be a number of Guild Prizes for both emerging and established makers.
Closing date: Friday 30th June
More info: https://craftni.org/augustcraftmonthexhibition/
Royal Ulster Academy of Arts – Call for Entries 2023
The RUA Annual Exhibition is the most eagerly anticipated exhibition in the Northern Ireland cultural calendar providing a unique platform for acclaimed artists and emerging talent to showcase their artwork in the fabulous galleries of the Ulster Museum.
Closing date: Monday 17th July
More info: https://royalulsteracademy.oess1.uk/
Princes Trust Development Awards
Development Awards are grants of up to £500 to help young people who are struggling to access education, work or training due to a lack of funds. Please note that the average award is £200 and it is not possible to support every young person with a £500 grant.
More info: https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/get-funding-train-learn
The Textile Society’s Professional Development Awards
The Society’s Professional Development Awards of up to £2,000 support the further development of professional practitioners within their chosen textile discipline, whether art, craft, design, curatorial, scientific or any other textile related field.
The Awards are intended for professionals working within a recognised field of textiles, including PhD candidates in the later stages of their research.
Applications are assessed annually, and the award is given on the strength of the applicant meeting the professional criteria within their discipline and chosen textile field.
Closing date: 1 September 2023
More info: https://www.textilesociety.org.uk/awards/professional-development-award
BFI Film Fund
The aim is to champion a breadth of bold and distinctive filmmaking across the UK; to nurture new talent; and to back the development, production and distribution of films that will enrich UK film culture.
BFI welcomes applications for film projects in all genres, and is committed to promoting diversity in the filmmakers we support, the stories they tell and the audiences they reach.
BFI also supports independent UK distributors to help ensure that the best British and specialised films connect with a wide range of audiences across a range of platforms. BFI supports sales companies that are launching new UK films at key international film festivals and markets.
Applications can be made to the Film Fund at any time, and you should expect to receive an initial response from us within six to eight weeks.
More info: https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support
New Belfast Ceramics Studio
An exciting new ceramics studio is being opened next month in East Belfast by Helen Faulkner Ceramics.
Belfast Ceramics Studio is an open access clay studio providing classes for all levels in ceramic techniques as well as membership based access for professional makers and independent hobby potters.
Classes are available for non-members and members and the July workshops are available to book now with August open days and classes coming soon.
More info: www.belfastceramicsstudio.com
The Big Queer Art Show Open Call
To celebrate Queer Art Usfolk Illustration Agency is delighted to invite LGBTQ+ artists to submit their work to be considered for this year’s Big Queer Art Show.
Submission date: 5.30pm on Fri 30th June
More info: https://www.instagram.com/usfolkillustrate/
Catalyst Arts Auction
All proceeds will support Catalyst Arts and our programming for 2023-24 – in turn supporting local and international artists we work with.
The auction will be live from Tuesday 27th June 1pm to Friday 7th July 1pm.
More info: https://www.instagram.com/catalystarts/
EXHIBITIONS, TRAINING, EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
Blick Summer Events
A series of workshops and gatherings for creatives held in our Malone Studios
Blick Summer Think – Together We Can Figure It Out – Designing your Story to Wow the World
An afternoon of thinking, idea development & connecting with other creatives
Date: Fri 4th August
Time: 3.30 – 5.30pm
Blick Summer Learn
A series of workshops on defining and writing your creative story
Dates: Sat 5th, 12th & 19th August
Time: 2.30 – 5.00pm
Blick Summer Creative Club
Providing space and support for you to work on your creative idea
Dates: Sat 5th, 12th & 19th August
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Blick Summer Make
An afternoon of making & connecting with other creatives hosted by jewery designer Lynda Thompson-Spack owner of Fred Loves Ginger
Date: Sun 6th August
Time: 3.00 – 5.00pm
Blick Summer Meet
Summer get-together for creatives to gain inspiration and connect with other like-minded creatives.
Theme: ‘Courage’
Speakers: Kerrie McNeill Designer and Illustrator
Caroline Baker Founder of Little Fox Belfast
Date: Wed 23rd August
Time: 8.00 – 9.30pm
More info: https://www.blickstudios.org/workshops-and-events/
Eastside Arts Festival
Across 11 days they will be celebrating the reputation of East Belfast as a place where the arts have flourished, and with a live music scene that is unrivalled.
Dates: 27th July – 6th August
Venue: various
More info: https://www.eastsidearts.net/
Linen Biennale
Join Belfast Print Workshop for an extraordinary celebration of art and heritage as they proudly host the Linen Biennale 2023. From August 3rd to August 31st, their studio and gallery will come alive with an exhibition showcasing the intricate beauty of linen through the creative lens of talented artists. Throughout the month, they will also be featuring guest speakers and exciting demonstrations, offering you a unique opportunity to gain insights into the creative process and techniques behind this remarkable medium.
Dates: 3rd – 31st August
Venue: Belfast Print Workshop
More info: https://bpw.org.uk/events/linen-biennale-2023 https://www.linenbiennalenorthernireland.com/
August Craft Month
August Craft Month, Ireland’s unique celebration of the craft sector, providing opportunities for all to learn about, make, see and buy craft!
Dates: throughout August
Venue: various
More info: https://augustcraftmonth.org/
Intro to Brand Storytelling Basics: How to build authentic thought-leadership
In this online event you will explore…What does it mean to be an authentic thought-leader and why it matters? Most effective ways in which organizations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses can become thought-leaders in their areas, Holding space for diversity and inclusion, and more.
Date: July 3rd
Time: 12.00pm EDT
Venue: online
More info: https://creativemornings.com
Usfolk’s Big Queer Art Show
A celebration of Queer Art by Usfolk Illustration Agency
Date: Opening Fri 21st July
Venue: 2 Royal Avenue
More info: https://www.instagram.com/usfolkillustrate/
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Today`s finance resource for emerging creatives is a budget template that you can download from our website as an excel document and complete for your creative business. �Putting together a budget for your creative business will help you to understand your costs, plan out your expenses and reach your goals. It`s also not as complicated as it seems, we have included a downloadable excel budget template on the resources section of our website to help you to put one together for your business (link in our bio or below):
��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/
Nov 20
�Today for our finance resources for emerging creatives we are sharing what you need to include on an invoice, something that seems obvious, but really isn`t when you are starting out!
�You can download an invoice template as a word or PDF document from the `Resources for Creatives` section of our website (link in bio or below) that you can then customise for your creative business!
��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/
Nov 19
After a hectic few months, we are back to sharing out useful resources for creatives starting their own business/ practice.
This week we will be sharing some different financial resources. Starting today with some useful financial links for creatives starting their own business
Let us know if you can think of any we have forgotton or anything that was helpful to you when starting out that we can add to the list!
HMRC what does it mean to be self-employed? – https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
Registering as self-employed – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader
Registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 – https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register
Link to a cashflow template – https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/
HMRC free payroll software – https://www.gov.uk/basic-paye-tools
View on our website link in bio or
https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/
Nov 18
We have 1 dedicated deskspace coming available in our Hill St studios from the start of December!
- £165 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities,
broadband etc)
- 3 months minimum contract then on a month by month basis
- 24 hour access
- City centre location
Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website:
https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/
Nov 15
Thanks again to everyone who came along to @stephaniesaloli`s creative talk last Wednesday evening and to Stephanie for giving such a great talk with so many insights and lessons for emerging creatives, as always we will be doing a wee event write up over coming weeks of the key lessons!
Nov 14
This week we have been thrilled to have been able to help with @belfastdesignwk and @the_design_salon `s Sustainable Pop-up Design Museum as part of the RE(act) Festival by the @linenquarter in the Europa Hotel today and tomorrow!
If you are attending any events at the festival or just passing by you can pop by to take a look at the Pop-up Design Museum on the 2nd floor!
The Pop-up Design Museum feature 5 local designers incorporating sustainability into their work
- Sam Lynas Co-founder of @get.haru @helpandreuse a tech startup focused on circular fashion
- Azhar Murtuza Founder of @born_maverick a food innovation company
- Stéphanie Heckman @stephaniesaloli a graphic recorder and visual facilitator focusing on working on climate and sustainability events
- Lee Robb founder of Positive Carrickfergus and Co-founder of Carrick Greengrocers @carrickgrocers
- Emily McIlwaine @emtextiles Woven Designer and Horticulturalist
You can also read fab interviews with each of them on sustainability and their design practice over on the Belfast Design Week Website www.belfastdesignweek.com
Nov 12
Thanks to everyone who joined us last Wednesday evening for our final creative talk of the year with the wonderful Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story!
Nov 11
We are so excited through our @the_design_salon collab as part of the �@linenquarter `s �RE[act] Festival 2024 to have Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth join us for a workshop on November 13th, 3-4.30pm in the Europa Hotel.
Peter works at the intersection of design thinking, professional learning, leadership, and culture change. Consulting globally and based in Northern Ireland, Peter’s work focuses on helping teams to elevate local brilliance and use the mindsets of human-centred design to create change so their users can thrive. In recent years, he has worked closely with the Stanford d.school and Catalyst.
Informed by his background in education, Peter has developed a design practice that balances analytical and creative problem-solving. His belief that great progress can be made by taking the time to listen first has positioned him to guide people through their initial discomfort with design to discover skills they did not know they had and to help educators recognize their power in the transformation of schools as a part of a larger story of impact. In addition, Peter works with K12 schools, universities, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote local innovation.
Spaces are limited so find out more and grab your free ticket on the events page on our website (link in profile)!
Nov 8
## NEW SOUTH BELFAST STUDIOS ##
We have recently moved our South Belfast Studios and our new studios at 65 Great Northern Street are now open!
Located off the Lisburn Road in a great location with lots of natural light it offers a mix of private and shared studio space.
We only have a couple of dedicated desks left, if you would like more information or to arrange a viewing please get in touch with christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website (link in profile)
Nov 6
Pollen Studios + Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “Palette Perspectives” by Blick resident Emanuela Mae Agrini @emanuela_mae_agrini_art
The event will take place on November 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Pollen’s gallery space located at 7 North Street, Belfast. As part of the Belfast Late Night Art event, this evening will showcase a collection of portrait paintings and fashion illustrations, exploring creativity and individual expression through various subjects and styles.
Nov 5
Last chance to book for tomorrow night`s creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator who translates real-time conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries at events and conferences globally including UN climate change negotiations!
Book through our website (link in profile) 🌟 🌟 🌟
Nov 5
Another chance to check out the interview we did with Stephanie @stephaniesaloli who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk on Wednesday evening!
Sign up on our website to hear her story in-person!
Nov 4
Ahead of her creative talk next Wednesday evening we thought we would re-share this interview we did with Stéphanie Heckman one of our Hill St residents earlier this year! You can read the full blog on our website (link in profile)
Stephanie will be sharing her creative story next Wednesday 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios, you can sign up for your free ticket to hear her story on our website (link in profile)
Nov 1
Just 1 week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator who translates real-time conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries at events and conferences globally including UN climate change negotiations!
Book your free ticket through our website (link in profile)
Oct 30
As part of our work with @the_design_salon we have been helping to curate the 3rd Pop Up Design Museum on the 12th & 13th November at The Europa Hotel as part of the RE[act] Festival @linenquarter this November 12th-14th to create a more sustainable Belfast.
The Pop Up Design Museum will themed on "Sustainability." You`ll learn about 5 local designers incorporating sustainability in different ways into their practices and we hope you`ll leave inspired and full of ideas for your own life and work.
We also have a very special workshop - "Design thinking (and doing) for sustainability" - with Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth.
We`ll be sharing more information about the pop up museum and workshop in the lead up to RE[act] and you can visit reactfestival.co.uk to discover the full programme of events.
#reactfestival2024
https://blickstudios.org/projects/pop-up-design-museum/
Oct 30
First in person meeting in our Great Northern Street Studios with our fab Nurture Program participants @kitschsistersbelfast @bethanysmillican and @verahylands who we will introduce you to properly over the coming weeks! Looking forward to working with them all on their creative ideas over the next 8 months!
Oct 29
Just over a week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stéphanie Heckman a graphic recorder and visual facilitator sharing her story!
Stephanie will be sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and how she came to do the work she does. She will share the highs and lows of her journey and what she has learned along the way. She will also share her advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives on how to generate an income from their creativity. Stephanie will also share with us some examples of her work including her work for UN Climate Change negotiations.
Event Date(s): November 6, 2024
Event Time: 7.00 - 8.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free
For more info and to sign up, visit our website (link in profile)
Oct 29
Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story.
Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity.
There`s more info about Stéphanie below!
Stéphanie Heckman - @stephaniesaloli
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator
Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present.
Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wed 6th Nov
TIME: 7PM
VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street
You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)
Oct 28
Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story.
Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity.
There`s more info about Stéphanie below!
Stéphanie Heckman
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator
Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present.
Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wed 6th Nov
TIME: 7PM
VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street
You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)
Oct 21
We are very excited to announce our speaker for our first Nurture Creative Talk on 6th November - Stéphanie Heckman @stephaniesaloli - Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator.
Stephanie will be sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and how she came to do the work she does. She will share the highs and lows of her journey and what she has learned along the way. She will also share her advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives on how to generate an income from their creativity. Stephanie will also share with us some examples of her work, including her work for UN Climate Change negotiations.
ABOUT STEPHANIE:
Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present.
Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/
EVENT DETAILS:
DATE: Wed 6th November
TIME: 7 - 8pm
VENUE: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill St, Belfast, BT1 2LB
For more info and to book your FREE ticket visit our website (link in profile) 🌟 🌟
Oct 4
