Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024

The Cumbria Arts and Culture Network (CACN) and University of Cumbria are collaborating on a day concentrating on exploring the barriers to progression in creative careers, as well as a series of inspiring talks and meetings with creative industry leaders.

The free event on Thursday 21 November forms part of a nationwide push to invite the creative industries to open their doors to local young people called Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024.

The morning event, called the Big Meet, is being produced by CACN and will include a range of speakers, from young creatives to cultural leaders from across Cumbria. It will also include a keynote from Cumbrian international unit production manager Mally Chung, a former student and Honorary Fellow of the university.

The afternoon event, produced by the university, will be more industry focussed, aimed at students looking to break into creative industries and young people, aged 14 upwards, curious about a creative career. The event is designed to inspire and provide a unique opportunity to connect with people working in the creative industries. It will include panels hosted by cultural leaders from across Cumbria.

Kate Parry, Director of the Cumbria Arts and Culture Network, (pictured) said:

“At Cumbria Arts & Culture Network we constantly work with colleagues from across the county to try to bring the creative sector together to share expertise and learning. We want to create a really strong foundation and ecology for the arts and culture sector here in Cumbria – and that begins with inspiring young people to think that they can develop themselves and their careers right here, something that’s not always easy to do. We want to explore why – and this is another example of a brilliant collaboration with the University.”

Dr Ruth Harrison-Palmer, Director, Institute of Education, Arts and Society, University of Cumbria, said:

“We are thrilled to work with Cumbria Arts and Culture Network, alumni and professionals on this unique day of activities. It will illustrate the opportunities for young people here in Cumbria to develop creative careers in and for our county, supporting our communities to thrive now and for generations to come.”

Mally Chung (pictured) said:

“The industry I work in is challenging, fast-moving, exciting and so rewarding. It’s always a privilege to share my experiences with students to encourage and support them as they start at the beginning of their careers. Carlisle and Cumbria is a special place both personally and professionally for me, and if I can help inspire future generations to gain as much from the fantastic creative sector that has given me so much then I’ll continue to proudly support the building of higher-level skills and creativity in this wonderful part of the world.”

ENDS