RGU extend Creative Entrepreneur Programme Scotland-wide

ROBERT Gordon University (RGU) is launching the latest Creative Entrepreneur Programme to support creative businesses and, for the first time since the pandemic, extending the programme across Scotland.

The programme is being offered to Creative entrepreneurs across the country and is part of the university’s drive to bolster economic, social and cultural development across the country.

Entrepreneurs and innovators across a range of creative industries including visual arts, fashion and textiles, design, crafts, broadcasting and performing arts are invited to apply by January 31 for the next programme which will run in the spring, between May to July, next year.

The programme is fully funded by the Scottish Funding Council, and offers tailor made business support to early-stage creative entrepreneurs who want to grow sustainable creative businesses.

Look Again Co-Director Hilary Nicoll said: “I’m really excited to be launching the next Creative Entrepreneurship Programme.

"We’re offering something really unique and giving creative practitioners the opportunity to network with a community of other like-minded people.

“The programme is also fully funded and online so people can work it around their work and other commitments. What’s exciting about the next programme is that we now have funding to extend the course across Scotland. This will not only support innovation and the economic vitality across the country but will also build up our creative community to support sustainable creative businesses across the country.”

Since starting in 2019, the programme has supported 120 participants across six cohorts. An alumna who took part in the original Creative Accelerator programme, the pre-cursor to the current programme, is Scottish textile designer, Mhairi Allan, creator of ethical lifestyle brand, Paper Houses Design.

Mhairi, is a designer based at Deemouth Artist Studios (DAS) in Torry, Aberdeen. She is currently one of many local practitioners, showcasing her talent at the newly launched retail unit, EDIT, based in the Schoolhill area of Aberdeen which is part of the Culture Aberdeen Project, led by Gray’s School of Art, to re-energise empty city centre shops.

She said: “It was great being part of the original creative entrepreneurship accelerator and to see all the brilliant folks who have gone through the course over the following years too.

"I am passionate about Scotland’s creative community, the value it brings to our society and economy. It is really important that everyone who wishes to pursue a career in it has the opportunity to do so and that’s why opportunities like RGU’s Creative Entrepreneurship programme are so important.

“I design my own textile range and share textiles skills through teaching, including private workshops and with organisations such as Creative Learning Aberdeen and RGU Access and others to widen participation in the Creative Industries. I’m also going to be hosting weekend workshop at Gray’s in the new year.

“Taking part in the programme has been really positive for the development of my practice. The Look Again team and RGU’s Enterprise and Innovation Group, along with the other creative practitioners you meet on the course, will really help you to hone your business skills and to grow your network and this will help you gain confidence in your creative business.”

For more information visit: https://www.rgu.ac.uk/study/courses/2808-creative-entrepreneurship-15-credits-at-scqf-level-11