Earlier this year, the council announced that in partnership with Adlib, Heart of Glass, Make CIC and Shakespeare North Playhouse, they have been awarded £650,000 from Arts Council England to boost youth engagement and involvement in cultural and creative activity over the next three years.
At a special launch event last month, the partners and other stakeholders came together at Shakespeare North Playhouse to officially launch the programme, entitled ‘This Place, This Stage’ which will engage with children and young people from across the borough in a broad spectrum of creative opportunities, including;
- Creating, performing, and exploring their own ideas through art, music, and theatre.
- Curating, producing, and programming cultural activity in their communities.
- Engaging with education, creative careers, mentoring and infrastructure—helping them to find their place in the creative world.
The first major opportunity for young creatives as part of ‘This Place, This Stage has opened for applications.
Make CIC is inviting three talented young creatives (aged 16–25) who are from or live in Knowsley to join its vibrant community for a 12-month residency as part of the brand-new Creative Residency Programme at Make Huyton Village.
This residency is a key pillar of the ‘This Place This Stage’ programme so whether you are a maker, musician, designer, photographer, or theatre-maker this is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive environment with experienced mentors.
What the residency includes:
- Dedicated shared workspace: One year of complimentary studio space at Make Huyton Village (valued at £1,500).
- Financial support: A £200 stipend to help with local travel expenses.
- Mentorship & development: Professional guidance from Make’s Project Co-ordinator and access to skill-building masterclasses.
- The Big Stage: Access to funds and support to host a final showcase event to exhibit your work to the community.
Councillor Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “Culture is so important to our communities here in Knowsley, it brings people together socially, through education, through business and in celebrating our incredibly rich history and heritage. But the future of culture in Knowsley really should be in the hands of the next generation, and so it is our mission with ‘The Place This Stage’ to empower young voices, grow local talent, and bridge the gap between passion and a professional career in the creative industries.
“By drawing on the collective expertise of these world-class partners, the programme will ensure that Knowsley’s cultural scene is younger, more diverse, and more ambitious than ever before.”
“I’m incredibly excited to see that the first opportunity in this exciting new programme is now open, and I’d encourage any young people with an interest in developing a career in the creative sector to apply and push the limits of their talents.”
Applications to the Creative Residency Programme atMake Huyton Village are open now and close on 19 January. Find out more, including how to apply at: https://makecic.org/apply-for-a-creative-residency-at-make-huyton/
