Is there a creative resurgence in the low carbon, green sector in Bristol and Bath? Or has it been ticking away, quietly waiting, during recent years?
Bristol and Bath have always been key cities in driving forward the UK’s green and sustainability sectors – it’s part of the region’s DNA. Yet other UK hotspots seem to have taken more of a lead in developing this most vital of economic industries. Delightfully, we have recently seen multiple announcements about Bristol and Bath businesses with insightful, clever green products and inventions. Hopefully they will go beyond Bristol PR coverage and Bristol marketing to gain awareness across the UK, and potentially further.
For OggaDoon, highlighting innovative companies like the ones mentioned here is more than just showcasing future success stories; it’s about championing the bold ideas shaping a more sustainable future. Sharing their progress and getting excited about their work can be a way to inspire others to think creatively about solutions to common issues and encourage broader support for green advancements that extend beyond Bristol and Bath.
So what has caught our eyes in the low carbon market place?
We know that sustainable businesses can come from any sector, as long as they care about helping the environment and saving our planet through innovative products and services that change the way society behaves. At OggaDoon, we’re committed to amplifying voices like these and driving awareness of sustainable innovation. You can learn more about our experience in green PR and low carbon marketing on our website – or head over to our blog to read more of our takes on what’s important in the PR and marketing landscape right now.
We recently hosted another get-together in the ‘Gather Round Presents’ series, turning the cosy meeting room at our Brunswick Square co-working space into an all-out forum on the topic of ‘community’.
Joined by 30 members and non-members from various creative disciplines, the event initially centred on the experience and insights of prolific founder Jack Horner, but soon became a riveting, open conversation.
We covered some big questions and plenty of ground. What constitutes community? Common interests? Friendships? Do work colleagues qualify? Who decides? What makes community a force for good? And this sense of community in the working world (and in creativity) — is it a significant shift? Or is it a fad?
Jack is a big advocate of communities, and we were excited to have him share tales and takes on the idea. In the 00s, he co-founded and built the award-winning agency FRUKT, working with global organisations like Diesel, Coke and Mastercard on their role and activation in culture and entertainment. Some of the agency’s success hinged on ‘Fandom’, a sense of community which moved beyond brand affinity in a novel and compelling way — something he feels has lost its authenticity in recent years, perhaps becoming more of a ‘fad’.
Jack reflected on how FRUKT really was a genuine community. “We were all mates pulling in the same direction. We hung out with each other and perhaps the test of an authentic bond is that many of us still do.” He went on to lament the potential loss of such community in modern working practices, and said “it’s why places to convene are so important, like Gather Round and the sense of community being nurtured here”.
He’s also the driving force behind DOT DOT DOT, a community of creative sector founders and leaders offering their creative expertise and business chops to “changemakers who run charities and non-profits.” DOT DOT DOT was founded to specifically enable creative leaders to give something back using their networks, creativity and creative resources. The collective has been growing for over a decade, offering pro-bono brand work. Jack tells us the community “thrives on creativity, energy, and connecting people”, and says “the depth of connection is absolutely key”.
Depth of connection is something of a blueprint for community, Jack highlights that ‘Moving beyond the superficial definitely suggests more of a shift than a fad.’
Attendee Karen Cording had a thought-provoking take. “This idea of ‘shift or fad’ reminds me of a concept called ‘collective effervescence’, a theory by Dr Dacher Keltner. He discusses the fact that, when we’re together, humans’ nervous systems can sync up; it’s called ‘Co-regulation’”. Karen also said: “Whether you call it community, collective or just a gathering, something special happens when humans are together. And, for me, communities provide a space to experience this benefit. That’s a shift, surely?”
Such a sentiment is evident in another of Jack’s pursuits. Recognising the rising challenge of loneliness in the modern world, and especially among men, Jack and his co-founders developed IceBreakers as a community to support men’s mental health through…well…community. And nature. And the potential to find balance between masculine and feminine energies. IceBreaker’s work in rural and remote areas incorporates movement, nature immersion and breath work along side the establishing of safe spaces for men to just talk openly and with some vulnerability.
He spoke warmly about Jamma De Samba, a large community samba band (with based in Bath and Frome). “It’s SUCH a broad range of members, literally anyone can join. I can’t think of any other way I’d end up in the same room as these people, and yet we have such a wonderful bond. They are my band, my mates”. Jamma play carnivals, street parties and festivals across the South West.
And finally, most recently Jack has launched a free local magazine and event listings website, nearfield. The mission has been to inspire people to experience more in the South West. As Jack puts it — “Bristol does Bristol really well, Frome does Frome really well, but there’s not anything bringing the whole region together.” The magazine aims to bring people together around the things they love, drive support for local venues, bars and other spaces, and ultimately become “TimeOut for the countryside” covering a 25 mile radius of Bath and Bristol.. Again, common interests serve as a fabulous foundation for community. If you’re not familiar with nearfield — check them out on Instagram or head into either of the Gather Round locations to find copies of the print version!
Evidently, a common theme in Jack’s career has been cultivating spaces for creative and purpose-led communities to thrive. On this, Andy German chipped in: “I find that, in the creative industry, we have so many common interests with our peers and colleagues. Whether it’s our love for film, music, culture, fashion or our general outlook on life, it’s quite easy — and always inspiring — to find someone with common ground. I don’t know if that’s necessarily the same in traditionally less creative sectors? For creatives, I sense that feeling more relaxed and having more in common with each other means our work environments can tend to feel like communities.”
Another attendee, Jardine Miles, said “As someone who has been building communities over the last few years, hearing Jack’s story was incredibly inspiring, but what stood out the most was the community in the room itself”.
So, what about Gather Round? Founder Jason Smith was at the event, and said “Community is about the collective, of course, but also so much about each individual. How do they use it? How do they contribute? How does the community work for them? People use Gather Round in different ways — some for strength and support; others for social connection. This event really goes to show that every community is used differently and has a different purpose for each member. You get back what you put in, and that’s up to you.”
A massive thank you to Jack Horner and to everyone who came along. Shout out also to Banh Wagon for providing the tasty lunch. We love partnering with local businesses, and these guys are gems. Those sensational stacked subs (on us!) were perfect for getting the conversation rolling a little later on.
Keep your eyes peeled on our Instagram for announcements of our upcoming events, and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to get your name on the guest list.
The initiative combines a structured business accelerator with a unique creative placement scheme, providing practical tools and structured support to drive sustainable growth across the city’s thriving music scene.
The Two Step Programme addresses two significant challenges in the city’s creative sector. Currently, 60% of UK startups fold within their first five years (Forbes, 2024), while only 1 in 10 UK workers in the creative industry come from working-class backgrounds (The Guardian, 2024). By providing targeted resources for music businesses and opportunities for early-career creatives, the initiative seeks to help participants overcome these barriers, equipping them with the skills and connections needed for long-term success.
For Rhombus Studio, this project was more than just a branding opportunity, it was a chance to give back to the creative community that helped shape the studio’s journey. With the founders’ deep roots in Bristol’s music scene and a passion for supporting grassroots initiatives, the collaboration felt like a natural fit.
The studio aimed to create a visual identity that not only captured the essence of Noods Levels’ DIY spirit but also provided a professional, flexible design suited to the programme’s potential growth beyond the music sector.
The brief called for a bold, simple, and flexible brand that could resonate with both businesses and individuals. The design needed to reflect Two Step’s dual mission: supporting local businesses while fostering creativity among young talent.
Colour was key in shaping the visual identity, crafting a vibrant palette with limes and oranges to symbolise creativity and optimism for young creatives, while blue and purple represent collaboration and innovation for businesses. This energetic palette was paired with bold, chunky typography that delivers a clear, impactful message while maintaining a friendly tone.
At the heart of the visual identity is the ‘two-step’ frame, which became the focal point of the brand. It symbolises the programme’s twofold mission: supporting local music businesses while creating pathways for new creative voices from diverse backgrounds. The frame serves as a flexible design element, adaptable across various formats from digital assets to printed materials.
The final visual identity is bold, clean, and perfectly aligned with Two Step’s mission. It speaks to both businesses and creatives while leaving space for the programme to grow into new areas. Rhombus Studio is honoured to have played a role in an initiative that strengthens Bristol’s music community and creates meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
Find more info on Noods Levels site.
Bristol creative agency SIM7 has swept the board this awards season, scooping three prestigious international prizes for a brand campaign which ‘redefines executive education marketing’.
The trio of awards, all won for the IESE Business School’s Real Leadership brand campaign, include first place in the Brand Campaign category at the Digital Communication Awards, Best Integration of Purposeful Marketing at the CMI Content Marketing Awards, and a ‘Búho’ award for Brand Strategy at Educafestival.
Each welcomed entries from around the world. Fierce competition for the top spots came from Ketchum, MSLGROUP, Weber Shandwick and a rollcall of other major global agencies.
Says Professor Dr. Ana Adi, Chair of the Jury for the Digital Communication Awards 2024, “IESE Business School’s Real Leadership campaign redefines executive education marketing. Through digital platforms, it boosts global visibility and underscores the school’s core human values, cleverly critiquing the past decade’s ‘hustle’ mindset. This campaign establishes a new benchmark for the future of leadership training”.
Campaign rationale
The brand campaign takes an honest, authentic and human approach which was conceived as an antidote to the clichéd ‘business speak’ creative that has dominated the sector in recent years. Assets include OOH adverts deployed across the world in Europe and Latin America, a major podcast, landing pages, brochures, Google Max ads, campaign videos and more.
Oriol Gil, IESE’s Brand & Content Senior Manager says, “The world of MBA and executive education is changing fast, with a more nuanced audience profile and expectations. SIM7 created a major campaign for us that pushed the boundaries of our brand guidelines and created a completely new strategy”.
Results
By using an authentic narrative and tapping into the genuine concerns and
motivations of business leaders, it resonated with IESE’s core audiences and has delivered substantial results in the form of awareness, enquiries and admissions. Its main campaign video has attracted 3+ million views, and season one of its podcast consistently ranks in the top 30 of the Spotify/Apple leadership and management charts.
SIM7’s Simeon de la Torre is proud of the campaign and the recognition it has earnt, “ As an agency that works with higher and business education clients around the world, winning these three awards is a huge honour for us. We knew from the start that this had to be a campaign with cut-through, and that pure creativity wasn’t enough.
“It was a huge strategic branding exercise that brought together all our skills in messaging, design and positioning, which ultimately spawned something really different with a big dollop of humour and heart”.
Notes
SIM7 is a Bristol-based creative agency that works with clients around the world in sectors including education, property, technology and more: sim7creative.co.uk
Founded in 2017, the agency uses language to empower design and drives growth by creating brands, campaigns and strategy. SIM7 currently employs six people, has increased its turnover significantly in the past 12 months and is set to build its international client base even further
in 2024/25.
On a late-September evening at Gather Round, three incredible women shared their experiences of breaking through boundaries in their personal and professional lives. The passion from our speakers was infectious, there was a buzz in the air and everyone left Gather Round bursting with positive energy.
Audio Producer, DJ and journalist, Rema has an impressive list of awards and accolades under her belt, including being named one of the most influential people in Bristol under the age of 24 by Rife Magazine.
As a Black woman, she shared her experience of navigating societal boundaries, a theme that has resonated throughout her career and life. She said, “Being a black woman in the Creative Industries is breaking boundaries”.
Rema likens these boundaries to the “houses” we build around ourselves — invisible walls that define where our limitations begin and end. They serve as metaphors for our comfort zones or safety blankets. She encouraged the audience to examine the foundations of their own houses: Are they built on self-doubt or self-assurance?
For Rema, breaking boundaries is a conscious choice, something within our control. To conclude her talk, she posed the question: What kind of house do you live in? It was an honuor to have Rema share her story and this thought provoking and uplifting analogy with us.
Miranda is the Head of Marketing at Grace & Green – the menstrual product company with a big mission: To make access to safe and sustainable period care a basic right. Miranda’s connection to the company she works for isn’t just her skills, it’s her lived experience. Her story began with a personal experience that would shape the way she perceived the world and particularly, periods.
Miranda spent 15 years of her life suffering, misdiagnosed and dismissed with what she now knows as PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). Learning this fueled the force to advocate for change.
She spoke widely of the systemic problems around period health and care. The culture surrounding period health needs to change, as menstruating individuals continually face the repercussions of a lack of education, the impact of shame, and various barriers related to financial status, race, gender identity and disability.
Grace & Green push for three things: Access, acceptance and education. They’ve partnered with various workplaces and councils to bring free period products to toilets and households across the country. Their packaging is bold but beautiful – no discretion or subtlety here. Plus, they offer free education for young people and adults alike.
We were all touched by Miranda’s story and as official Period Dignity Partners of Grace & Green already we fully support this mission all the way.
With over a decade in the creative industry, Emmanuella is an award-winning Multi-Disciplinary Arts Producer and Creative Researcher. Her interpretation of breaking through boundaries was all about reimagining spaces, attitudes, and policies through radical research-led storytelling and experimental, nature-inspired work. As a queer, black woman Emmanuella is championing marginalised communities and intersectionality and called this, “giving a voice to the voiceless”.
Emmanuella recently took part in the Resourcing Racial Justice programme and retreat as a Non-Exec Director of Rising Arts Agency, whose overall aims are to normalise and incorporate paid reparative rest days as part of emotionally-sensitive or intersectionality-informed work. It’s now something we regularly offer at Rising, and she is trying to incorporate as part of her budgeted freelance work.
Through her involvement with Watershed and Pervasive Media Studio’s ‘Alternative Technologies for a Just Transition’ programme, Watershed have now started to offer and implement paid reparative rest days to their PM Studio resident members and programmes.
On top of this, she’s also been awarded a fellowship with the Brigstow Institute and Cabot Institute for the Environment. Over a period of ten months she’ll be working to form a core inter-disciplinary group to collaborate with the community and other stakeholders to consider climate change and our response to the climate emergency. If you are interested in working with her on this mission you can register your interest here.
She ended her speech with the ‘3Ds of Dissent’ (a framework by Karen O’Brien, Elin Selboe, and Bronwyn M. Hayward) – asking us all what type of a changemaker we are – Dutiful, Disruptive or Dangerous? A very poignant thought to leave us all with and inspiring to think of our own changemaking in this way.
Between the awe-inspiring chats with our guests, everyone tucked into some seriously delicious pizza from local legends, Pizzarova plus some deliciously tasty ‘grown up’ non-alcoholic drinks from our sponsor Positive Drinks. The vibe in our bright, spacious Brunswick Square space was perfect for casual networking, where people could connect, share thoughts and enjoy the evening.
The Gather Round Presents series of free events is designed to give back to the local creative community. Sign up to the Gather Round newsletter to be the first to hear about the next event coming up on 23rd October!
Bristol Creative Industries is delighted to be sponsoring Creative Day at Bristol Technology Festival 2024 alongside BCI members Aer Studios and MyWorld.
Now in its sixth year and organised by techSPARK, Bristol Technology Festival is the UK’s largest regional technology festival.
It celebrates the awesome people, innovation, community and thriving tech scene in the city. We are excited to be involved and representing Bristol’s brilliant creative industries.
Each day of the festival from 7-11 October is themed. Thursday 10 October is Creative Day.
Here the brilliant free events to attend on Creative Day:
SXSW UK is being hosted WHERE?
MyWorld, 9.30 – 11am
…we all know it should have been here, right? Join us as we unlock the untapped potential of creative tech in the region and realise what it takes to position ourselves as rightful global leaders.
Fuelled by barista coffee and brunch, this interactive workshop invites participants to collaborate with key community figures and industry bodies to define what creative technology means to our community and chart a path forward.
Panel: Setting the future vision of creative technology in the South West
Motion, 12.45 – 2pm
Join us for an engaging and interactive panel discussion that will dive into the future of creative technology in our region. Building on the insights from our morning workshop, our panel of industry experts will discuss the untapped potential of our sector and work together to define a shared vision for the future.
Meet the panel:
MyWorld Creative Tech Showcase
Motion, 2 – 5pm
Join us and immerse yourself as we explore emerging technology innovations and trends, such as AI, immersive, gaming, sound and how they are going to continue to transform creative industries. The event showcases the technology that has been researched and developed through MyWorld.
The Sheds studio tours
MyWorld, 9am – 5pm
Book a tour to look around MyWorld’s state of the art facilities at The Sheds and experience some of the innovative technical research being developed in the spaces.
Tom Harber, Bristol Creative Industries board director and Aer Studios managing director, said:
“We see our involvement in Bristol Technology Festival as a meaningful step towards driving deeper collaboration with the tech sector and a stronger relationship with key organisation including techSPARK and MyWorld.
“Creative Day at Bristol Technology Festival provides a platform for Bristol Creative Industries to discuss the creative industries’ role in driving innovation in the region and will bring valuable insight for our members, as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.”
If you’re new to Bristol Creative Industries, here’s a bit about us.
Founded in 2005 as Bristol Media, we’re a community interest company that supports the creative sector to learn, grow and connect.
Driven by the common belief that we can do more collectively that alone, we’re about prosperity for creative businesses and that means attracting new talent and new customers.
In Bristol and across the region we:
We are supporting Bristol Technology Festival to foster greater collaboration across the sectors and create opportunities for insight and connections for our members.
To maximise the benefits of tthe Bristol Creative Industries network, support our work and help the region’s creative sector thrive, you can join as a member.
Look out for representatives of Bristol Creative Industries at Bristol Technology Festival events.
Community-based youth charity Young Bristol has become the third South West charity to win a place on the region’s Noble Deeds programme.
Set up in 2021 by Bristol-based SME Noble, the Deeds programme provides digital marketing training & support to not-for-profits, helping them deliver vital services in the area. Increasing in-line with Nobles’ own turnover, this year the support package stands at £25,000. Young Bristol will use this to upskill its marketing team and ensure its services reach the young people who need them the most
Supporting children and young adults aged 8-25 during their critical out of school hours in some of the most challenging areas of the city, Young Bristol’s mission is to provide innovative programmes that create a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of young people
With eight community youth clubs across Bristol, a mobile youth club on wheels, outdoor activity centres and an employment programme just part of what the charity offers, the support from Noble will help the Young Bristol team prioritise where its digital marketing efforts will make the most impact. As well as helping the team to learn new skills and maximise their knowledge of social media, SEO and other digital promotion techniques for a lasting impact beyond the Deeds programme
Lucy Saunders, Head of Fundraising & Development, Young Bristol, explains; “We are thrilled to be the selected charity for this year’s Noble Deeds programme. It is an incredible opportunity for our organisation to gain valuable experience and support from a team of experts. Their support will make a big difference, not only by up-skilling our team and improving our digital marketing, but also by helping us to further our reach and services to even more young people.”
With numerous deserving causes across the city that could benefit from the Deeds programme, choosing just one recipient is difficult. Previous winners have included homelessness charity Emmaus Bristol and South Bristol social enterprise Heart of BS13
Lorenzo Campbell, chair of Noble’s UK Deeds committee, said; “It’s not easy to choose between the many worthwhile entries to Deeds we receive. However, Young Bristol gives us the opportunity to work with a charity that reaches the communities right across Bristol who need their help the most. Making sure young people get the right start in life is so crucial and the passion the Young Bristol team has for that is inspiring.
“The impact the charity has can be life-changing for young people and leaves a real lasting legacy. Hopefully by helping the team enhance their own knowledge and digital marketing skills we can help them make that impact as long-lasting as possible.”
The Noble Deeds initiative was originally started over twenty-years ago by Nobles’ parent [KS1] company in Nevada, North America. Mirroring the US programme, the winning not-for-profit is chosen by an employee-led committee, with the UK Deeds programme opening every June at a free ‘Be Better Bristol’ event for local charities and businesses
The Noble team then work alongside the winning charity from September through to February each year helping them to achieve their specific objective
To find out more about Young Bristol go to https://www.youngbristol.co
To find out more about Noble go to https://nobleperforms.co.uk,
We’re excited to share our brand new flexible, affordable package that will make it possible for more people to enjoy our bright, airy first floor space at our Brunswick Square location.
Over the past few months we’ve been in constant communication with our members, listening to their stories and feedback on the challenges they’ve been facing. There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year for creatives, we hear you. One thing that’s stood out to us is that people value flexibility; now more than ever.
The first floor at our Brunswick Square location boasts beautiful, large Georgian sash windows, which floods the space with natural light even on a dull day. The space itself is already home to a group of like minded creatives who give the place it’s unique energy.
The Flexi Plus package includes a designated desk in our light-filled first floor space at Brunswick Square plus:
Plus of course, all the amazing member benefits included in our other packages – free yoga classes, wellness practitioner on site once a month, member breakfasts from Farro bakery, many free member events (summer and winter parties, wine and cheese evenings, industry networking events and more!).
We proudly stand by our mission to create a space where a creative community can thrive. Collaborations between members happen daily – it’s just the nature of things when you bring a group of creative minds together.
Gather Round is created by creatives for creatives and for all who work in creative industries. It’s more than a co-working space, it’s a growing network of like-minded professionals that go to work everyday and sit, write, design, consult and hang out. Soaking up the energy, passion and positivity from the ideas and expertise of others.
And for those who don’t know already, BCI members get 10% off any membership package at Gather Round for the first 6 months.
For info on all our membership packages take a look at our memberships page or book a tour. Come on in for a coffee and chat, we’d love to meet you!
Voice actor and founder of BRAVA (Bristol Academy of Voice Acting) Melissa Thom, has become a full voting member of BAFTA.
Melissa will now have a say in the winners of the Academy’s annual BAFTA Games Awards, which are presented annually to recognise, honour and reward outstanding creative achievement in games. The Awards are voted by an expert membership of over 1200 experienced professionals and are watched by millions online.
Melissa and BRAVA’s team of master coaches have trained hundreds of people in Bristol and beyond to become professional voice actors, with many already working in the gaming industry.
BRAVA has connections with games production companies and bodies across the UK and internationally. Melissa and her team work to support those coming up in the profession, liaising with industry stalwarts and championing diversity. Melissa’s gaming work as a voice actor includes roles in ZeniMax’s The Elder Scrolls (Necrom and Gold Road) and Grand Theft Auto V.
Melissa is British, with Indian-African heritage, and feels strongly about the need for diversity in the gaming sector. Melissa said:
“The online games industry is estimated to be worth almost $28 billion worldwide, dwarfing the film and music industries. It’s thriving and has a powerful influence. As the popularity of gaming continues on its upwards march, it’s critical that people from all backgrounds see themselves represented in games.
I am thrilled to be recognised by the Academy for all the work we do behind the scenes to support and guide voice actors and improve working conditions and diversity within gaming. I’m also committed to supporting the gaming community in the South West, which is a hot bed of creative talent.”
Melissa invites any actors in the South West with significant gaming experience to get in touch with her if they need support or advice.
-ENDS-
About BRAVA
Founded by experienced voice actor and communications consultant, Melissa Thom, BRAVA brings together acting and voice experts from the UK & US to deliver best in class training and advice about the industry.
At BRAVA, all learning is done online, meaning students can learn at their own pace, wherever they are. Training is offered as personalised 1-1’s or group sessions and covers a wide range of topics, including Getting Started in VO, Corporate, Commercial and Narration, Characters, Audiobooks, Performance Techniques, Home Studio, Marketing, Vocal Health, VO & Shakespeare, Voice, Presence, Impact, Presentation Skills and more.
Find out more at www.brava.uk.com
Melissa Thom’s IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm10724768/
The creative industries are a vital component of the local economy and here at Bristol Creative Industries, we encourage young people to look to the sector for a rewarding and inspiring career. As modern technologies like gaming, VR and AI continue to develop, we need a new generation to take on the jobs of the future that the local economy needs if it is to thrive.
See below for our updated guide to creative industries-related further and higher education in Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-mare and beyond.
If you’re an employer or education provider, scroll to the end of the article to find out how to get involved in the Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme, which is focused on boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline.
A selection of the creative post-16 courses offered by sixth form departments at Bristol schools and academies:
Among the A-levels at Bath Academy are art and media studies.
A-levels on offer at this Bath sixth form for boys include creative design and music.
Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Founded in 1140 as part of what was then Bristol Abbey, Bristol Cathedral Choir School is one of the city’s most popular sixth forms. Among the A-levels offered by the school are art, drama and music.
The sixth form at Bristol Grammar School offers creative IB Diploma and A-level courses including art, dance, drama and theatre studies, design technology, music and music technology.
The IB Diploma is an alternative to A-levels which the school describes as “offering breadth of learning as well as academic rigour”.
Opened in 2016, Bristol Free School offers A-levels alongside selected BTEC Level 3 courses. Creative courses include art, drama and theatre, music and music technology and photography.
Cabot Learning Federation Post 16
The Cabot Learning Federation Post 16 is an independent provision located in two of CLF’s 20 secondary academies; Bristol Brunel and John Cabot. Among the A-levels on offer are art and design, dance, music and photography.
The sixth form at this school offers A-levels in subjects including art and photography, drama and theatre studies and music.
The sixth form at this school offers A-levels including art, design and technology and drama and theatre.
The North Bristol Post 16 Centre is a collaboration between Cotham and Redland Green Schools. Creative A-levels include art, photography, film studies, and media studies.
St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School
Located near Bristol Temple Meads, creative A-levels offered by this school are art, film studies, media studies, music, music technology and theatre studies.
Providing education to 10,000 learners across two campuses, Bath College offers a wide range of courses including post-16, apprenticeships, part-time courses, traineeships and degree-level education.
Subjects include art and design, fashion and textiles, fashion business and retail, photography, graphic design, digital production, and performing arts.
As one of the South West’s largest further and higher education colleges, City of Bristol College operates from seven centres across the city. It offers a range of post-16 qualifications including A-levels, Level 2 Diplomas and BTEC Nationals.
For school leavers, several courses relevant to the creative industries are on offer. They include specialist subjects include visual arts and design, photography, fashion, performing arts and creative digital technologies (film and TV production, games design, computer graphics and animation).
The college also offers university-level creative arts and media courses in subjects including games design, animation and VFX, graphic design and photographic practices.
Abbeywood Community Schools is part of Olympus Post 16 with Bradley Stoke Community School and Winterbourne Academy.
Courses include art, design and technology, digital media, drama and theatre studies, film studies, music performance, music technology, photography and textile design.
Digitech delivers a specialised curriculum for progression into the creative digital and high tech sectors. Studio schools are small by design and only take 90 students into each year group. The school opened in 2015 and moved into a new purpose-built building in Warmley in November 2016.
For years 12 and 13, Digitech offers courses in partnership with boomsatsuma (see below), Bristol School of Acting and Robins Foundation. They include digital media, e-sports, film and television, music, and photography.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
This college has six campuses.
The college has a very extensive programme of Level 2 and 3 courses including computer games design, film and TV production, music production and musical and technical theatre.
At university level, the college offers a range of courses at foundation degrees, many of which also offer the opportunity to top up to a full Bachelor’s degree by adding a year. Subjects include fine art, game art, media production and computer games design and production.
Since September 2022, the college has offered the new vocational skills focused T-levels. The two-year technical courses are equivalent to three A-Levels and include a 45-day work placement. Courses include digital production, design and development.
St Brendan’s Sixth Form College
This college provides a diverse range of over 60 different A-level and Level 3 Applied General courses to 16 – 18 year olds. Courses include media studies, music, music performance, music technology, textile design and graphic communication.
Weston College has several creative industries-related diploma and extended diploma courses for 16-19 year-olds as part of Creative Arts Weston.
The departments are art, design, graphics and fashion; film and tv, media production, photography, game and animation; performing and production arts, and music.
Creative courses at Cirencester College include craft and design (T-level), 3D design (A-level), digital foundation, digital media certificate, graphic communication (A-level), and photogrraphy (A-level).
Boasting ex-students including Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne, Rita Ora and JP Cooper, Bristol Creative Industries member Access Creative College is a national college for young people looking for a career in the creative industries. It offers courses at various levels in subjects including games, animation and video effects, graphic and digital design, film, software development, video and photography and music technology.
In summer 2021, Access Creative College opened a new £5m games and media campus in Bristol city centre. It’s on the site of the former Bristol Bierkeller, host to Nirvana’s first ever UK gig, Slipknot, The Stone Roses and Arctic Monkeys. Facilities include a games lab, green screen studio, music tech suites, digital recording studio and band rehearsal studio.
Access runs degree courses in Bristol covering audio and music technology and music performance at dBS Institute, which it acquired in 2021.
Bristol Creative Industries member boomsatsuma is a specialist creative industries training provider. Courses take place in relevant professional environments in the city such as Leadworks, Ashton Gate Stadium, Bottle Yard Studios and Tobacco Factory.
boomsatsuma provides Level 3 Extended Diplomas, that are equivalent to 3 A-levels, as well as BA (Hons) and BSC (Hons) degrees. Courses include creative and digital media, film and television, games, VR and VFX and photography.
As a registered charity, Creative Youth Network supports young people to reach their potential and enjoy fulfilling lives. It offers free courses in youth clubs and other venues in Bristol. Subjects include music, photography and song writing.
Creative Youth Network has opened The Courts in central Bristol. It is an enterprise hub, located in Bristol’s Old Magistrates’ Courts, where young people can explore their creative potential, receive support, access mentoring, and find meaningful work.
dBs Institute of Sound & Digital Technologies
Based in the centre of Bristol, dBs is a specialist educational institute that offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in music production, sound engineering, live sound, and game development.
It is a registered Avid Learning Partner (ALP) and Ableton Certified Training Centre that works with a wide range of creative industry organisations.
Students at dBs Institute can gain real-world experience alongside their studies thanks to dBs Pro, an in-house creative audio company. Students provide sound and music for film, television, video games, art installations and more.
University of the West of England
UWE’s School of Arts offers courses in subjects including drama, filmmaking, animation, photography, media production, journalism, creative and professional writing, film studies and media communications. There are also several fashion and design courses.
Facilities include film, photography and animation studios as well as drama, acting and music facilities.
Many graduates also enter the creatives industries after studying marketing courses at the UWE Business School. It includes the MSc in digital marketing, and MSc/postgraduate diploma/postgraduate certificate in marketing communications.
UoB offers undergraduate degrees in film and television, music and theatre. Facilities include Wickham Theatre, a 24-hour rehearsal space, sound and design studios, carpentry and costume workshops, 214-seat cinema, 39-seat screening room, digital filmmaking equipment, production studios, animation and edit suites and sound rooms.
The University of Bath does not have specific creative industries courses as it focuses on engineering, humanities, management, science, and social science. However, its degree courses include management with marketing featuring a work placement.
Bath Spa offers courses in subjects including film, design, media communications, art and drama. Facilities include a theatre and TV studios.
The university also has the Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCCI) which “aims to magnify research, engagement and discourse surrounding the theoretical, practical and commercial frameworks that embody the arts, media, or creative industries”.
UCW offers higher apprenticeships, full-time degrees and higher technical qualifications (HTQs) in partnership with UWE Bristol and Bath Spa University.
Courses covers subjects including art, film, game, graphic design, digital technologies, performance, production arts and music.
Bristol Creative Industries jobs board
Members of Bristol Creative Industries sometimes post apprenticeship opportunities on the BCI jobs board. See the latest vacancies here.
Bristol Creative Industries Internship Programme, in partnership with Babbasa and Bristol-based creative agencies, provides placements to young people from underrerepresented groups with a mix of professional skills training, creative skills training, inspirational talks, networking events, mentoring and opportunities for future employment.
The 2024 programme is currently in progress. If you’re interested in getting involved in the 2025 programme, please email [email protected] for more information.
National College Creative Industries
The National College Creative Industries (NCCI) offers specialist technical production and business support apprenticeships via Access Creative College. You can find the latest details on the NCCI website.
Channel 4, which has a Bristol office, offers apprenticeships. Find out more.
The BBC offers various TV production apprenticeship schemes, some of which are based in Bristol. See the latest opportunities here.
Babbasa, who we work with for the Bristol Creative Industries Internship Programme, offers many training and employment opportunities for young people.
Government apprenticeships website
Creative and design and digital apprenticeships are regularly listed on the government’s apprenticeships website. Search here.
Circencester College offers apprenticeships in creative areas covering digital and IT, media broadcast and production, sales and marketing, and creative and digital.
The college provides intermediate, advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships.
UCAS has a guide to creative and design apprenticeships here including a directory of relevant employers.
This list is not exhaustive. Email Dan with suggestions of other educational institutions and companies we can add.
A key focus at Bristol Creative Industries is boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline for our members.
As well as our groundbreaking Bristol Creative Industries Internship Programme with social enterprise Babbasa and Bristol-based agencies, we provide opportunities for members such as our recent partnership with The Early Careers Foundation which allowed them to become a mentor and support a young person in building their confidence, developing their employability skills and offering invaluable professional guidance.
We have also committed to an annual programme of round tables with key post 16 education providers in the region including colleges, academies and universities.
Our aim is to promote creative careers to staff and career advisers, drive applications to our internship programme and explore how we can promote the creative industries to students already studying.
By joining the Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme as a partner, you’ll help to fund all of our activities that support underrepresented groups entering the creative industries. Your support is vital to ensure we have a healthy and diverse talent pipeline.
For more details, contact Alli Nicholas, BCI membership and operations manager, at [email protected], or Lis Anderson, BCI co-chair, at [email protected]
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