Royal Albert Hall’s Young Producers applications open

Applications for this year’s Royal Albert Hall Young Producers course are now open. Now in its second year, the scheme is part of the Hall’s Education and Outreach programme and aims to give budding young music enthusiasts a chance to develop their skills.

The programme seeks to give a team of 12 young people the chance to curate their own mini-series. For sixth months, successful applicants will be given a crash course in programming, marketing and events management, with all the work culminating in two nights of events at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2019.

Last year’s efforts saw a team of 11 individuals aged between 18 and 25, from a range of different backgrounds, produce a two-day festival entitled ‘Collide’. The event sold itself as a “celebration of creative expression in the arts” and saw a collection of work and performances from street artists, up-and-coming-fashion designers and musicians.

“Sadly it is no longer the case that children are required to take an arts-based subject as part of their secondary education”

According to research done by the Royal Albert Hall, one in five 11-18 year-olds would pursue a career in technical or music production, if given the opportunity. However only one in three schools actually offer classes in production. The Young Producers programme is an attempt to remedy this, but Lucy Noble, artistic director at the Hall, says there is more to be done on a grander scale.

“Sadly it is no longer the case that children are required to take an arts-based subject as part of their secondary education and we believe this is to the detriment of the long term sustainability of the UK creative industries,” Noble says.

“While it is great the we here at the Hall are able to offer such a programme, there is an obvious supply and demand gap that secondary schools are not currently across.” 

No previous experience is necessary, and applicants have previously come from school, university and the world of work. The closing date for applications is 3 September 2018. More information can be found on the venue’s website.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.