Creative Industries News #5 📰
Welcome back to ERIC's Creative Industries News series! There's been lots of news stories surrounding the Creative Industries in January, so of course we're going to give you the rundown👇
1) Spotify cuts roles, being latest tech company to reduce staff numbers It seems as if the tech companies are cutting down staff in tandem, with this announcement coming just after cuts from big names Microsoft and Alphabet. The Swedish music-streaming giant says it will cut 6% of its about 10,000 employees. Boss Daniel Ek took the responsibility on his shoulders saying "In hindsight, I was too ambitious in investing ahead of our revenue growth,".
Check out more on that story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64374583
2) The King's Theatre in Edinburgh in last plea for funding The King's Theatre in Edinburgh had some lofty refurbishment plans, with £26m of funding already secured. However, after losing the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund application, the reasons for a funding gap of £8.9m are now being cited as due to 'inflation and changing trade agreements'. Capital Theatres, the charity who run the theatre, said that if the funding wasn't secured, it couldn't continue with the redevelopment, and would have to hand the keys back to the council, who own the building.
Read more on this story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-64373378
3) A new venue has opened up in London
Southwark Playhouse Elephant is the latest theatre to open in London, with a 310-seat capacity. The venue is sister to Southwark Playhouse Borough, and is the result of an idea first thought in 2006.
Some of its first shows took place on the 26th January, in which attendees could see Bermondsey Revolution. It's next show to be featured is The Walworth Farce which will open on 17th February.
Find out more about this fresh London face here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64347357
4) Harlow in Essex to get a refresh thanks to £20m funding
Harlow is set to welcome a new arts and cultural quarter thanks to an influx of funding from the government.
The money is planned to go towards a new music school, music venue and art gallery at College Square in Harlow, alongside funding upgrades to Harlow Playhouse, a new bar and cafe and new residential apartments.
Live near Harlow? Find out what's in store here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-64325113
5) Channel 4 launches 4skills work experience programme and expands 4schools
The channel have reinforced their commitment to supporting young people in exploring and getting into broadcast and TV careers with a new work experience programme and an expansion of its successful 4Schools project.
The work experience programme will take place online and will help young people match their skills to a potential career in the creative industries.
Aimed at people aged 16 and above, it covers some of the most important steps a TV show takes on its way to our screen – from initial idea to securing a sponsor, to deciding when a programme should be broadcast and analysing its success.
Whereas the existing 4Schools programme which is aimed at inspiring school students to consider a career in the media industry is hoping to be extended to reach more young people and schools than ever before.
The 4Schools’ programmes include workshops, online exercises and talks with industry insiders and current Channel 4 employees on how to set about securing a successful creative career.
Find out more on this great development here - https://www.fenews.co.uk/resources/channel-4-launches-4skills-work-experience-and-expands-4schools-to-help-students-and-young-people-discover-their-creative-career/