Discover Creative Careers Month: Coastal Catalyst activity across Sussex
This November, Coastal Catalyst is proud to be part of the national Discover Creative Careers Month, shining a spotlight on the wealth of opportunities in the creative industries and making them visible to young people across Sussex.
Over the past year, we’ve been working with young people, schools, cultural organisations and employers to co-design opportunities that connect skills, creativity and career pathways. November gives us a chance to showcase what’s possible when partners work together to open doors into the creative sector.
What’s happening in November?
Living Library Days
Professionals from across the creative industries will become “living books”, sharing their career journeys with students in accessible, interactive sessions. Each book has four chapters – from pre-career to top tips for getting into the industry – giving young people insight into diverse routes in.
When: 3–14 November, with young people aged 14–19 through local schools and colleges.
Creative Green Careers
Local young people will explore how creativity connects with sustainability and the green economy. These sessions bring together environmental employers and creative professionals to highlight pathways into future-focused careers.
When: Bognor (3 Nov); Eastbourne (4 Nov); Brighton (5 Nov) various sessions targeted at young people between the ages of 14–25 through local schools and colleges and universities.
Creative Carousel at Moulsecoomb Place and Flatlands Studio, Bexhill
In partnership with East Brighton Trust and Flatlands Studio, local students will experience a carousel of creative activities in creative hubs at the heart of their communities, delivered by professionals who work there. These sessions showcase the breadth of creative careers and professionals on their doorstep, give young people the chance to try hands-on activities and sign up to continue engaging.
When: Brighton & Bexhill (dates tbc) young people aged 16-19 through local schools and colleges.
Peanut & Crumb: Podcast and Pitching
Media company Peanut & Crumb will host an open lab event for young people interested in storytelling, audio and production. The Podcast Lab focuseds on hands-on production skills, from which 10 young people will be selected to continue on a 6 session online course to develop their idea for a Radio 3 programme. They will be invited to pitch their idea at a Pitching Event, receive feedback from industry professionals and the chance to enter the idea into a commissioning competition at Radio 3.
When: Podcast Lab (30 Oct); 6 session online course throughout November; Pitching Event (27 Nov) for young people 17-25.
Open Doors at De La Warr Pavilion
Behind-the-scenes tours and conversations with staff will show students how creative organisations work, from front of house to technical production, marketing and programming.
When: 16 sessions between 4–26 November (10am–12pm or 1–3pm) through local skills and colleges.
Studio Theatre Open Day
A chance for young people to explore Brighton Dome’s Studio Theatre and find out more about programming live music events, from technical roles to programming and production. Students will be invited to develop their own ideas for an event concept to put forward to the Coastal Catalyst Youth Board.
When: 26 November, 14–16.
Music Conference at DLWP
A large-scale event bringing together young people, artists and industry professionals to explore careers in music, from performance to production, management to marketing.
When: November (date tbc), for young people 16–25.
Why now?
The creative industries are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK, yet many young people don’t know about the full range of opportunities available. By working together – schools, employers, cultural organisations and young people themselves – we’re building clearer pathways into the sector and ensuring that the workforce of the future is diverse, inclusive and locally rooted.
Join us
Follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn to see highlights from across Sussex.
Together, we’re making creative careers visible, accessible and achievable for the next generation.