Creative Futures

We champion underrepresented communities within the creative industries.

Creative Futures provides start-up support for creative entrepreneurs. The programme encourages the development of purpose-driven creative and digital businesses. We focus on working with local people from underrepresented backgrounds, supporting their journeys both as founders and changemakers.

What does Creative Futures offer?

People gathered seated while listening to a speaker

Business support

Take part in an adaptive 5 month programme of creative-led business support and skills development, including workshops and mentoring.

A group of people sitting in a circle discussing creative futures

Discovery events

Join diverse speakers from UAL and local businesses to explore creative enterprise themes and engage in discussion and exchange.

Tyreke Oshunrinde presenting at Creative Futures Demo Day Camberwell College of Arts. — Tyreke Oshunrinde presenting at Creative Futures Demo Day. (Credit: Ana Blumenkron)

Founder club

Grow your network with regular social events in partnership with local workspaces and organisations, including Migration Museum and The Africa Centre.

Creative Futures Founders Club at The Africa Centre in London. — Creative Futures Founders Club at The Africa Centre

Access to space

Access UAL’s spaces for the purposes of short-term research and development (R&D), focus groups, test events and community engagement, subject to availability.

Creative Futures played a crucial role in helping me to develop professionally and overcome the challenges of starting a business.

— Adeolu Banjo, Culture Drip

I was blown away by the support and resources the programme provided. I didn’t anticipate finding such a sense of community.

— Gemma Robinson, Betty Printo

Our network

Past business mentors, speakers and facilitators, have included:

Sonya Barlow - LMF Network
Alison Branagan - UAL, Author and Business Consultant
Shameika Byfield - Shy Figures
Adiam Elias - ADIAMELIAS
Remi Harris MBE
Callum Hall - Creative Debuts
Christopher Lutterodt-Quarcoo - UAL and THE ADV_
Kei Maye - Creative Champs

Samantha Newell - Yard + Parish
Ajay Pabial - Art Clubbers
Alicia Robinson - AGR Knit
Anna B Sexton - Open to Create
Charlotte Stavrou - SevenSix Agency
Pete Schönbeck - Productschön Business Advice
Ishwari Thopte - UAL, Creative and Fashion Tech Consultant
Tazz Parker - MDRxTech

Programme outcomes

Participants have secured funding, investment and innovation fellowships. Others have won residencies and new clients. Businesses continue to build relationships with mentors and peers. Many have collaborated with UAL and local cultural organisations.

Making a difference

We have worked to develop businesses with almost 50 south Londoners aged 18-25 of which:

89% were women or non-binary people.
69% were from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

Creative Futures was piloted at Camberwell College of Arts in 2022-23 and supported by STRIDE.

Contact us

We'd love to talk to potential participants, mentors or funders.

Get in touch with us at creativefutures@arts.ac.uk

Applications for Creative Futures 2024 will open in autumn 2023.