Young people to be given a helping hand on the creative industries ladder

Budding young actors, musicians, photographers, fashion designers, and film directors from across Liverpool are being invited to sign up for a creative programme that could give them a head-start in their chosen careers.

Commissioned by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team as part of its Creative Neighbourhoods programme and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Future Movement is delivered by leading British dance company Rambert.

The free creative youth programme, aimed at those aged 16-25, is unique because it is co-created with the young people, designed around their career ambitions. 

Throughout the 12-week programme, Rambert invites guest artists from various creative industries to share their skills, experience and career paths with the participants, who will benefit from dedicated sessions focusing on different work areas such as producing and marketing.

The initiative was piloted in Liverpool last year following its success in London, Rochdale and Mansfield and it gave young people the chance to collaborate with like-minded creatives across the country.

During the programme, the students had the opportunity to work with and be mentored by industry experts including Merseyside born designer Patrick McDowell and film director Dan Löwenstein of House of Create.

The students also collaborated with set and costume designer Olivia Du Monceau to design and make a protest banner. Researching art and activism, the group used different mediums of creativity, such as sewing and drawing to create a joyful banner of self-expression.

The programme culminated in an exhibition of the students’ work at the press night of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby at the Liverpool Empire earlier this month. Here, they not only had the opportunity to showcase their work but also to network with industry insiders including the producers of Peaky Blinders, which was filmed in Liverpool, and the Chief Executive of Arts Council England.

Daniel Fulvio, Deputy Director of Audiences and Rambert’s lead on Future Movement says: 

“Future Movement is designed to inspire and support anyone who is interested in starting a career in the creative industries. It aims to fuel young minds whilst giving them opportunities to try things out in an environment where they are supported to push themselves to build new skills and explore a range of creative jobs.

“Liverpool is a beacon of creativity in the UK. Not only is it the birthplace of Hollywood stars and award-winning directors and producers but it is the second most filmed UK city outside of London and a UNESCO City of Music. Future Movement is a youth programme that takes young people seriously as the next generation of creatives and where better to nurture talent than here.”

Patrick McDowell, Fashion Designer collaborating with Rambert on Future Movement says: 

“Working with Future Movement has been enriching and fulfilling on both a creative and a personal level. It has been a joy to have had this opportunity to return to my hometown to work with young people from the area, who have opened my eyes to different ideas.

“Growing up, I was inspired by Liverpool’s style and how powerful and strong clothing seemed to make people feel. My working-class background and queer identity allowed me to see things through a certain lens, working with what I had to create something special. That ethos has remained with me to this day and it has been such a joy to mentor this pioneering project to inspire the next generation of creatives.”

Kieran Gregory, a 19-year-old actor who took part in the pilot said:

“Future Movement is boss. I’m an actor but as part of the programme, we designed a costume for one of the Rambert dancers. I’ve had no previous experience of contemporary dance before so it’s great to have new skills to put on my CV. We’re exposed to so many different people, learning about their journeys into the world of creative arts.

“Rambert have been so good at letting us use our brains. We’ve gone to them and said ‘we’ve got this idea, can you make it happen?’ And they’ve said ‘yes, we’ll back you to the hilt.’ Whatever stimulus they give us, we’ll put our Scouse twist on it. I love representing Liverpool because people outside the city don’t properly understand. Over the last couple of years, things like Eurovision have been fantastic for the community so why not showcase it? Rambert and Culture Liverpool have put their faith in us and given us that opportunity and confidence.”