Common People #0013
Grimsby is the new Hollywood!
Alright!? Welcome to Common People. An especially big hello to all the new signups after Glenn Kitson’s interview last month. HELLO!
We’re excited about this issue. It’s packed. Like a big doorstep sandwich full of articles, exhibitions, jobs, reports and delicious mustard.
But first, a Common People success story. After meeting through our WhatsApp group, the wonderful Danny and Sammi have just launched The Pitch, a nationwide competition for 14-19 year olds to create the advertising concept for this year’s JD Sports Christmas campaign. This includes 100 work placements, £300k of media space and lots of life-changing experiences. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT!
Now let’s get into it. We’re starving.
We’re Celebrating
Historic England announced a new series of storytelling projects celebrating Working Class heritage, from the LGBTQ+ history of Newcastle’s ‘Pink Triangle’ to the traveller community of Bedfordshire. Love it.
New research from the PEC showed that the UK’s creative industries are an “export success story”. Which is weird because we could’ve sworn the government has spent the last few years dismantling creative education in state schools and universities, and even encouraged creative professionals to retrain and leave the industry. Surely not?! This reminds us of what James McAvoy had to say on state school education cuts.
Jamie Holman’s 24 Hands, a new exhibition exploring Class and state violence, is on at Second Act Gallery in London’s trendy Shoreditch. Come on then!
[Gogglebox voice] “In Manchesteeeeer….” a new £300k fund will support freelancers working in music and the arts across the next three years.
Wonderhood worked on a rebrand for Sacred Grounds, a community cafe in St Anne’s church Soho where you can get tea for one single English pound - in central London! Imagine that! The work was done pro-bono and even nods to Soho’s sex trade with references to double enders and poppers. More like pro-boner! (Someone please take this keyboard away from us).
Do you know of a community space that could do with zhushing up? Message us! Maybe we could make something happen together.
We enjoyed this short film about Steve Burden, a visual artist who grew up on the Pepys Estate in Deptford. And if you like his accent, you’ll love these Modern Cockney Festival talks happening over the next few days.
In The News
Almost half of all British nominees for the Mercury Prize, Oscars and BAFTAs over the last 10 years were privately educated, compared to just 6% of the population. Shock.
By coincidence, BAFTA recently released guidance for the screen industries to better support Working Class talent.
Maybe they could take a trip to Grimsby dock - where somebody’s come up with an inventive way to make use of the characterful Kasbah area. It’s the new Hollywood!
According to a new report on language bias, 77% of people in the creative industries feel they have to change their accent to be taken seriously. Seriously?!
Classifieds (jobs, opportunities, useful stuff etc)
Effie, Lucky Generals and Commercial Break are putting on a free virtual course on marketing effectiveness for Working Class folk, with a qualification at the end of it. There’s 10 spaces, apply here.
West Midlands Skills Bootcamps offer free online training for in-demand creative skills, open to local people. Videography, graphic design and digital marketing are just a few on offer.
Working Class Artists Database put out an open call for creatives in Scotland.
The 93% Cub are running another Social Mobility Factory in April. You can walk in without a LinkedIn headshot, any experience of mock interviews, a polished CV, knowledge of industries, or influential connections, and leave with it all - at zero cost.
Jazz lovers of the Midlands, this looks like an amazing opportunity.
Rotherham will become the world’s first Children's Capital of Culture in 2025 and they’re looking for a Creative Skills Manager.
Got an opportunity you want the community to know about? Send it over commonpeoplelikeus@gmail.com
Lastly, we don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s very tough out there at the moment. The creative industries feel like they’re slowly collapsing like a trifle in the rain. But if you’re out of work, quieter than usual, or worrying about job security, trust us when we say it’s not you. It will come back around.
Keep active, meet up with other Common creatives in your area, join our WhatsApp group (message us for the link) make plans - it’s what we’re here for. TELL YER MATES.
Together we can make Common People more common in the creative industries.
See you next month,
Common People