Young People’s Projects
Starling run arts-based projects for neurodivergent young people aged 13-25. Starling focus on self-expression, positivity, and meeting like-minded people. Find a safe place to be yourself by joining one of our groups.
The Lowry’s Artist Network is a free, open access programme supporting professional artists at all stages of their career to focus on their creative and professional development. The programme has a year-round offer including regular workshops, socials, ticket offers, Scratch Nights and other one-off or short–term opportunities to develop creative practice, explore new ideas and build networks. Sign up to the lowry’s newsletter to be the first to hear about what we have coming up.
Creating Connections is our weekly writing and performance workshops for young people facilitated by established poets; providing professional mentoring, writing, dramaturgy and performance classes. We are calling all aspiring writers, poets and spoken-word artists aged 13-25. If you’d like to attend, register below.
Raise The Bar MCR is the number one open mic event in Manchester, exclusively for rappers. They want to take rap back to its roots by building up the community and showcasing Manchester’s rap talent at all stages of their journey.
On the last Wednesday of every month at the Old Abbey Taphouse, 8 upcoming artists have 9 minutes to show Manny what they’ve got and have the chance to win a paid champion set at the next event. The champion set is voted for by 10 audience judges who want to see you come back and perform a 20-minute set.
Raise The Bar also host a Mancunian headliner who is making a name for themselves in the scene for 30 minutes after all the acts.
But the night doesn’t end there! At 10pm Manchester’s best cypher. Whether you have never performed in front of a crowd before or you just want to come down to pick up the mic and spray, you are welcome. Beats for the cypher are sent in by some of the coldest producers in Manchester and a Mancunian DJ will keep the vibes.
If you’re a rapper, producer or DJ and interested in getting involved don’t be shy… Send a DM or come through to our next event to meet the team.
BBC Maestro is a subscription-based streaming platform, created to educate and inspire people to explore their creativity. Through pre-recorded lessons and detailed course notes, anyone can learn a wide range of disciplines and follow in the footsteps of experts respected all over the world.
BBC Maestro offers single course purchases or an annual subscription. Click the link above to browse courses and start a free trial.
NeuroJoy is a new programme run by Starling.
They are looking for 12 curious and creative people who want to explore the joy of diverse minds.
Working with leading neurodivergent artists, you will create work that will live forever as part of the very first creative collection of neurodivergent art and stories: The Neuro-Collection.
To take part you need to:
🌟 Identify as neurodivergent
🌟 Be between 18 and 30
🌟 Have something to say about neurodiversity
🌟 Be creative e.g. you like to make, write or perform
🌟 Be able to take part in at least 6 sessions per year
No previous experience needed.
To receive more info on NeuroJoy or to register your interest, click the link above.
The EmployGM website has launched, providing a one-stop-shop for people looking for jobs, training and support across Greater Manchester!
The project is a Mayoral commitment, aiming to help residents navigate the opportunities available to them and attract more talent to the city-region.
From the home page you can be directed towards:
The GMCA Inspire Fund is providing grants of £500 – £2,000 for freelance and independent artists, and small organisations across Greater Manchester.
You may be a musician who would benefit from a new instrument, a small group who needs funds to expand your wardrobe or replace costumes, or a freelance artist who wishes to upskill via a training course.
The GMCA Culture Fund: Inspire is designed to support Greater Manchester-based:
Decisions are expected within 6 weeks of the closing date you have applied for.
All projects must be completed by April 2026. Click here for more details.
The LGBTQ+ Journalism Network is an award-winning space for LGBTQ+ journalists across the UK – and at any stage of their career – to find, support and learn from each other.
The Network was started in January 2022 by Sophie Perry because no such space existed in the industry.
LGBTQ+ journalists have always existed and this space celebrates their work, encourages them and aims to inspire a new generation.
Pull Up & Speak is a poetry and spoken word event hosted by Pull Up Bar Cafe, 14-16 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JN on the last Monday of every month from 6pm – 10:30pm
These poetry nights have been created to support creativity, mental health, and those struggling with addiction and homelessness.
Click the link above for a full list of free English classes taking place at Alexandria Library, Rusholme and elsewhere across Manchester.
The ERIC app is primarily for young people who are 16+ with an interest in careers in the creative industries.
Helping young creatives gain experience for their portfolios & CVs, you can browse thousands of internships, bootcamps, events, training schemes, courses & more.
Co-op Live are looking for thousands of dedicated people to join across a huge number of casual roles, including stewarding, fan safety, bar staff, chefs, hosting, events, and supervisor roles.
Join the UK’s largest arena, and help deliver the best live music experience through a world-class fan services team.
Gaydio Courses link here
The Gaydio Academy offers a wide range of training and support courses throughout the year across the UK.
Sign up to Gaydio Newsletter link here
If you would like to keep up to date with future Academy courses and projects which you can get involved with then subscribe to our newsletter and sign up on the form below.
The Black Artists Grant (BAG) offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help black artists. They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses.
This grant has been set up because Black artists are systematically under-supported by the art world; by institutions, curators, the artist-led scene, major and minor funding bodies, the market, art schools, and by audiences too.
Creative Debuts recognises that a full institutional overhaul and dismantling of racist structures is required to transform the industry permanently, but they hope in a small way that this grant will help enable recipients to continue their artistic practice when the odds are so stacked against them.
To apply, you need to identify as Black, Asian, Brown and/or part of the Global Majority aged 18 or over and based in the UK. For all other information and tips on making the best application possible – you can find detailed application guidance here.
You can explore the work of previous grantees here.
How can I apply?
First, check out the application guidance, then complete and submit a short application form. You can submit it in writing, or upload an audio/video file. Apply here.
When are applications open?
20 grants per round will be awarded.
Follow Grand Plan Fund on Instagram or sign up for the newsletter for news and updates.
If the applications are closed, please see this page for some other funds to apply to in the meantime.
Young Identity is always looking for new trustees to join their diverse board, currently made up of an economist, lawyer, psychologist, education specialist, counsellor, young people’s arts producer, community engagement manager and creative business development expert. The Young Identity board brings a wealth of knowledge, both specialist and general, as well as invaluable perspectives and lived experience ranging from the local, national and international.
Click the link above to download and read the trustee pack and submit your CV and a cover letter of no more than 500 words, outlining why you want to be a Trustee at Young Identity to enquiries@youngidentity.org. If you prefer, you can send a video of up to 2 minutes instead of the accompanying letter.
Artsadmin offers a unique and free one-to-one support service to UK-based artists working in contemporary performance, at any stage of their career
Sessions are informal and artist-led, offering an opportunity to talk about anything from artistic ideas and project development to funding and contexts for your work. The format of these sessions has been developed in response to artists’ feedback and research.
Who is the service for?
This is a free service that we offer to artists and creatives, which to us includes arts workers, producers, designers, production managers, curators, arts leaders, technicians, writers, dramaturgs, academics and thinkers.
Click the link above for more details and to book a session.
Do you love to express yourself through art, writing, making or performing? Do you want to work with professional artists to develop your creativity? Want to be more social in a supportive and welcoming environment, at your own pace?
Starling run free creative activity groups for neurodivergent young people across Greater Manchester. They are all about having fun and being yourself with like-minded people. From visual arts and creative writing, to music and drama, Starling plan activities that interest you.
So, if you are aged 13-25, identify as neurodivergent and want to get creative, get in touch and click here to register to arrange a conversation with someone from the team. Starling currently have projects in Trafford, Manchester, Tameside and Oldham, but watch this space for more locations!