Meet the Tutor: Alison Branagan - Business Skills for Creatives
- Written byUAL Short Courses
- Published date 07 May 2026
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We caught up with Central Saint Martins associate lecturer and Short Course tutor Alison Branagan about why it's essential creatives hone their entrepreneurial and business skills and her two new short courses Business Start Up For Creatives Short Course and Entrepreneurship For Creatives Short Course.
Alison Branagan is an author, creative enterprise consultant and Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins. She has spent many years helping artists, designers and creative professionals build sustainable careers through business skills, enterprise knowledge and practical confidence.
Alison teaches two specialist short courses: Business Start-up for Creatives, which focuses on the foundations of launching and running a creative business, and Entrepreneurship for Creatives, which explores growth, visibility, confidence and enterprise skills for those ready to take things further.
Business Start-up for Creatives Short Course
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for creatives in the early stages of setting up a business, as well as those who may already be trading and want to strengthen their foundations.
Students come from a wide range of creative backgrounds, including visual artists, makers, designers, photographers and freelancers.
What are the key skills or insights participants will gain?
This course runs over a single weekend and covers a wide range of essential topics. These include how to get started, HMRC registration, promotion, business planning, pricing, valuing your time, legal considerations, tax and getting paid.
Many creatives are highly skilled in their practice but have had limited exposure to business training.
This course helps bridge that gap, giving participants the tools to make a living from their work and build a successful business.
Entrepreneurship for Creatives Short Course
What are the key skills or insights participants will gain?
This four-day course focuses on the practical enterprise and interpersonal skills needed to grow a creative career or business.
Participants explore areas such as self-presentation, networking, vision, spotting trends, negotiation and creating visibility for their work. There is also a dedicated legal day covering contracts, intellectual property, risk and key legal considerations.
The course also includes talks from creative entrepreneurs, giving participants the chance to hear real experiences and ask questions directly.
What would you say to an artist or creative practitioner unsure about taking the next step into business?
Creative entrepreneurs need a certain amount of bravery. Bringing new ideas, artwork or innovations into the world can feel challenging, and growth often involves stepping outside your comfort zone.
It is not always easy, but taking thoughtful risks and building confidence can lead to both professional success and personal fulfilment.
As practical advice to anyone thinking of turning their practice into a business, or offering their creative services on a self-employed basis, I would say we are living in uncertain times, and many organisations now prefer to hire freelancers rather than permanent employees. Exploring self-employment could therefore be a valuable option.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you are starting a creative business, offering your services as a self-employed creative, or looking to grow your opportunities and find new clients, Alison’s short courses offer practical guidance, expert insight and the confidence to move forward.
Explore all short courses in business & management and science.
