Widening Access to the creative industries in West Yorkshire: Two case studies

Broadhead, Samantha ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9469-1233, Sykes, Graham and De Lissandri, Daniele (2026) Widening Access to the creative industries in West Yorkshire: Two case studies. In: Shaping the Next 10 Years. Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE), Peterborough, pp. 82-90. ISBN 978-0-9954922-8-8

Abstract

Developing accessible routes into the creative industries is now a priority at national and regional levels. At the same time, it is recognised that people should be able to produce and enjoy culture at the place they call home. This policy direction has been linked to economic growth and the creative industries have been identified as a priority sector. However, young people have been dissuaded from studying creative skills and knowledge over at least a decade and there is a danger that the education and training sectors continue not to promote courses that lead to creative careers. To counter the years of discouragement faced by young people who may aspire to work in a creative field, there needs to be encouragement, exposure, support and guidance available to them. Two interventions that have been designed in West Yorkshire could provide gateways into the creative industries. This article discusses how they open up possibilities for marginalised young people to gain an insight into creative pathways outside formal schooling. Youth Social and The Music Box are two organisations that have created opportunities for young people to engage with cultural activities and to introduce them to possible routes into the creative industries.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item