The Creative Enterprise Initiative: developing an infrastructure for creative entrepreneurship

A clear link exists between creativity and entrepreneurship. Creative students are taught to think laterally. Indeed, 42% of creative graduates will undertake some form of self employment within five years of graduating (Blackwell and Harvey, 1999), with a high number working in small and micro companies where flexibility and change are common to business development. The Creative Enterprise Initiative (CEI) at the University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester was developed in 2002 to implement an infrastructure for entrepreneurship relating specifically to business start-up and sustainability for creative businesses. Creative businesses include: advertising, the arts, crafts, design, fashion, digital media, film and video, games design, graphic communication, music and performing arts. The CEI has helped over 600 creative entrepreneurs in the South East gain knowledge through specialist workshop events, networking, mentoring, short courses, one-to-one advice and competitions. It has also contributed to publications, developed sector research and undertaken a specialist sector conference. The CEI has received funding through the Higher Education Innovation Fund, the European Social Fund, the Arts Council of England South East and Surrey County Council

Transitions in higher education: the relationship between the thoughts and aspirations of students entering higher education in art and craft areas and the opportunities awaiting them at graduation

Governmental pressure to raise the number of students entering Higher Education in the UK has seen more aggressive strategies being introduced in order to entice students to continue their education. An argument is raging among art and design academics to whether this expansion is wholly ethical, especially within art and design subjects where the professional opportunities are finite and often complex in their development. This paper looks at the relationship between the aspirations of students at entering university and after they have subsequently graduated. Studies undertaken by the authors are used to explore issues facing secondary school students when deciding upon undertaking Higher Education. The thoughts and reflections of graduates about their education and career progression are also investigated and key issues are documented about the intentions of students and career realities These key issues include: Are Universities honest about career opportunities within art and craft areas? Do students enter Higher Education in art and craft areas with the intention of becoming practitioners? How much parental influence underpins students' educational choices? What careers do art and craft graduates undertake? What are the reflections of graduates about their education and development of careers post graduation

Transitions in higher education: the relationship between the thoughts and aspirations of students entering higher education in art and craft areas and the opportunities awaiting them at graduation

Governmental pressure to raise the number of students entering Higher Education in the UK has seen more aggressive strategies being introduced in order to entice students to continue their education. An argument is raging among art and design academics to whether this expansion is wholly ethical, especially within art and design subjects where the professional opportunities are finite and often complex in their development. This paper looks at the relationship between the aspirations of students at entering university and after they have subsequently graduated. Studies undertaken by the authors are used to explore issues facing secondary school students when deciding upon undertaking Higher Education. The thoughts and reflections of graduates about their education and career progression are also investigated and key issues are documented about the intentions of students and career realities These key issues include: Are Universities honest about career opportunities within art and craft areas? Do students enter Higher Education in art and craft areas with the intention of becoming practitioners? How much parental influence underpins students' educational choices? What careers do art and craft graduates undertake? What are the reflections of graduates about their education and development of careers post graduation

Creative paths: supporting creative journeys through professional skills

Creative paths describes a professional development initative to supporting the emerging contemporary cultural and creative scene in Hastings. Also included are six stories from creative artists who were involved in the programme

An investigation into art and design graduate careers: towards developing a career progression tool (appendices)

The aim of this research was to develop a comprehensive body of research about the careers of art and design graduates, and to utilise the findings in the development of a concept multimedia 'career progession tool'

East meets West or West meets East: a cultural dilemma

The author after a recent visit to Taiwan shows that the flow of culture usually seen as travelling West to East is now changing direction. Asian design and brands are finding markets in the West