Business Support and Advice
The following organisations offer business support and career advice:
● A-N – Resources and information to support professional artists.
● ARTS COUNCIL – Support for the arts and creative sectors.
● BIPC BUSINESS SUPPORT – Free business support at Wakefield Library.
● CREATIVE UK – Bespoke investments, access to funding, loans and growth mentoring.
● DIGITAL BOOST – Volunteer experts to help small businesses and charities grow.
● FREELANCER CLUB – A collection of resources to support freelancers.
● MORRIS HARGREAVES MCINTYRE – Market insight for charity, cultural and heritage organisations of all sizes.
● THE AUDIENCE AGENCY – National data for cultural organisations to increase relevance, reach & resilience.
● THE DOTS – Get advice, meet collaborators, find jobs.
● THE LEP – Guiding small-medium sized businesses in West Yorkshire.
● WAKEFIELD FIRST – A team of specialist advisors providing free & confidential support to new and existing business across the Wakefield district.
Find the umbrella / governing body for the sector that you work in and check regularly for opportunities such as mentoring schemes, funding and courses.
Sector support suggestions:
● ARTS COUNCIL – Support for the arts and creative sectors.
● BRITISH COUNCIL – UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and education.
● BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL – Supporting the growth and success of the British fashion industry.
● BFI – Supporting British filmmakers and the screen industry.
● BRITISH LIBRARY – For research, inspiration and education opportunities.
● CREATIVE DIGITAL INDUSTRIES – Supporting and informing the creative and digital industry.
● CULTURE HEALTH & WELLBEING ALLIANCE – National membership organisation for anyone who believes creativity and cultural engagement can transform health & wellbeing.
● CREATIVE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL – A forum of government, creative businesses and other creative organisations.
● CULTURAL LEARNING ALLIANCE – A backbone organisation for the arts and cultural education sector.
● CREATIVE LIVES – Championing community and volunteer-led creative activity.
● CREATIVE UK – Connecting, supporting and investing in creative people & business.
● CULTURE FORUM NORTH – A network of partnerships between Higher Education and cultural sector across the North.
● DESIGN COUNCIL – Supporting the UK Design sector.
● DIGITAL CULTURE NETWORK– Developing creative organisations’ digital skills.
● GAME REPUBLIC – The largest games industry network in the North of England.
● IVE – Creative education provider for both young people and adults.
● LAUNCHPAD MUSIC – Supporting the music sector in Yorkshire.
● NOVA – Supporting community and voluntary sector initiatives.
● SCREEN YORKSHIRE – Supporting and developing screen industries across Yorkshire & Humber.
● UKIE – The trade body for the UK games and interactive entertainment industry.
● UK THEATRE – The UK’s leading theatre and performing arts membership organisation.
Creative industry unions:
● ARTISTS UNION ENGLAND – A union for artists, campaigning for artists’ rights.
● BECTU – A union representing workers in the media and entertainment industries.
● EQUITY – A union of performers and creative practitioners.
● MUSICIANS UNION – Musicians campaigning for a fairer music industry.
● NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS – A voice for journalists and journalism.
● WRITERS GUILD – Trade union for professional writers in TV, film, radio, books, comedy, poetry and videogames.
