Developing
Artistic Projects

Do you have a great idea for an artistic project, but you’re just not sure how to make it a reality?

Developing Artistic Projects is a three part course designed to equip artists with the skills they need to get new projects off the ground. The course is delivered live in Manchester and is free for artists from all disciplines to attend.

Sessions will be taught by industry experts from Manchester Collective and the Young Classical Artists Trust, and each workshop will be followed by a mixing event where participants and mentors can connect, share ideas, and ask questions.

This course is open to all, however, registration is essential as numbers are limited. The deadline for registration is 11.59PM on Sunday 13 March 2022. 

Developing Artistic Projects is delivered in three parts:

1. Project Development and Fundraising I

2. Finding Your Audience

3. Project Development and Fundraising II

All sessions will take place at Low Four Studio in Manchester (Deansgate Mews, M3 4EN). The course will be delivered over the course of Spring 2022, at the following times:

• Wednesday 16 March, 3PM – 6PM

• Wednesday 27 April, 3PM – 6PM

• Tuesday 31 May, 3PM – 6PM

By the end of the course, you will be ready to take the first step on your own project development journey. We’ll be covering many of the skills required to make your project a success – developing the idea and scope, key fundraising strategies, honing your audience, social media tactics, and project management essentials.

Workshop leaders teaching the course will include Adam Szabo (Co-Founder and Chief Executive, Manchester Collective), Linda Begbie (Development Director, Manchester Collective), Kieran Jones (Development Manager, YCAT), Joanne Karcheva (Communications Director, Manchester Collective), Barbara Révés (Marketing Manager, YCAT), Declan Kennedy (General Manager, Manchester Collective), and Dr Kate Blackstone (Projects Manager, YCAT).

If you are an artist based in the North, this course is for you! There is no course fee, and you don’t need any previous project management experience to apply.

As each session will build on content covered in previous sessions, we ask that wherever possible, participants commit to attending the entirety of the course. The course comprises 3x two hour workshops, followed by optional mixing events for further questions and discussion.

In order to take part, all you need to do is fill in the online registration form.

The programme is open to everyone, however, numbers are limited and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The application form is split into two sections listed below. You can save your progress if you’re logged into a Google account whilst completing the form. 

Please note that all Personal Identity questions require an answer in order to complete registration. If you do not wish to give an answer to a particular question, you can select 'prefer not to say'.

Section 1: Contact Details

1. Email

2. Full name

3. Phone number

4. Postcode

5. Primary artform

6. How did you find out about this opportunity?

Section 2: Personal Identity

1. Gender identity

2. Age

3. Do you identify as D/deaf or disabled, or have a long-term health condition?

4. Do you identify as neuro-divergent?

5. Ethnicity

6. Sexual identity

7. Socio-economic background

The ongoing pandemic may affect the nature of the course – some of which may have to take place digitally rather than in person, depending on whatever guidelines and regulations are in place during the delivery period. Please be assured that we’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re as closely connected as possible to course, workshop leaders, and fellow participants.

We encourage participants with specific access needs to register, and are happy to help with both the registration and the course itself. We also have a discretionary budget set aside to address any specific access requirements, in order to ensure the experience of each participant is flexible, and any training outcomes are as inclusive as possible.

If you have any questions or need any support in preparing your application, please email Adam Szabo at adam@manchestercollective.co.uk. If it’s more convenient, we can also arrange to give you a call and speak on the phone.

Manchester Collective create intimate and intense human experiences. Known for their experimental programming and daring collaborations, their work has expanded at breakneck speed since their formation in 2016. They now play in concert halls, gig venues and factory spaces across Europe and the UK, performing a combination of cutting-edge contemporary music, classical masterpieces, and staged work to a hungry, new audience.

New music is of vital importance to the Collective – in recent years, they have commissioned major works by artists including Edmund Finnis, Hannah Peel, Lyra Pramuk, and Laurence Osborn. Recent highlights include their Royal Albert Hall debut as part of the BBC Proms Festival; the creation of Dark Days, Luminous Nights, a daring installation made under lockdown with movement artist Blackhaine and Simon Buckley; and Sirocco, the international sensation featuring South African cellist Abel Selaocoe.

Founded in 1984, the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) supports the early careers of musicians so they can go on to move generations of audiences around the world with their talent. 

Every year, music graduates face one of the biggest challenges: being seen and heard within the music industry. YCAT discovers and supports these musicians through the turbulent transition from education to professional life. 

From their distinguished 3-5 year management of selected YCAT Artists, to their online career development programme for all freelance musicians, YCAT’s goal remains the same: giving young musicians the best start to their careers. 

Developing Artistic Projects is presented in partnership with the Young Classical Artists Trust, and is supported by Arts Council England.