6. Seeding Future Talent

In this sixth micro-test we will look at: how we can collectively develop a diverse, skilled talent pool and career pathways of creative practitioners?

Our vision for this test is: There is a joint workforce development programme for arts and health

To increase Creative Health activities with an inclusive and socially engaged practice will require a more diverse workforce. With this in mind a group of interested and experienced partners have formed a steering group. Their aim is to explore and take pro-active steps to diversify the Creative Health workforce in Gloucestershire and ensure those currently under-represented in the sector are able to benefit from opportunities equitably.

The Future Talent steering group manage and support arts, health and wellbeing programmes in Gloucestershire and include Create Gloucestershire, Artlift, Art Shape, Open Arms Artists’ Collective and University of Gloucestershire. 

Read more about the Future Talent Steering Group here.

Research

The research will start with gathering information about current activity, who is delivering it, what professional development opportunities are available within the sector and understanding the barriers facing artists to begin to imagine new and collective ways we can support artists longer term. 

We want to gather knowledge, insights, and experiences from a diverse and wide range of people (working independently or as part of an organisation) who engage in arts, health, and wellbeing interventions across Gloucestershire.

Step 1: Creative Labs

Creative labs to capture a diverse mix of voices, types of work, art forms, locations and levels of experience including those with lived experience, who volunteer, emerging and those who are currently underrepresented in the sector. Artists and organisations across Gloucestershire have been invited to join these sessions.

Step 2: Future Talent Survey

The next part of the exploration stage of this micro- test is an online survey to gather knowledge, insights, and experiences from a diverse and wide range of people (working independently or as part of an organisation) who engage in arts, health, and wellbeing interventions across Gloucestershire. We’d like to identify what is going well as well as the challenges and opportunities for the future.

You can read more about the survey here. Or click on the button below to dive straight in and share your experience.

The survey is live until April 19th 2024.

Step 3: Field & Desk Research

We will use targeted field research to ensure we capture a wide range of voices, types of work, art forms, locations and levels of experience, including those with lived experience and those who are currently underrepresented in the sector. In addition, we would like to explore opportunities for volunteers within our communities who neither see themselves as Artists or Creative Health as a valid career option. 

Step 4: Co-design and deliver

The outcomes of this research will inform the design and delivery of future training and career pathways into the Creative Health sector, enable us to establish an enhanced case to support Creative Health practice and those that deliver it, and ensure those currently under-represented in the sector are able to benefit from opportunities equitably.