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.
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New RAH outreach scheme for tomorrow’s programmers
The Royal Albert Hall has launched a new scheme for prospective programmers hoping to break into the live music industry.
Young Producers, part of the London venue’s education and outreach programme, will give 18- to 25-year-olds the opportunity to create their own mini-series of live events. Applications opened today, with a closing date of 8 September 2017.
Successful applicants, selected in September, will embark on a “six-month crash course in programming, marketing and event manager”, culminating with two nights of events on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 April 2018.
“The Young Producers scheme will … equip those taking part with skills essential to pursue a career in the arts”
Lucy Noble, the Royal Albert Hall’s artistic director, says: “We want to give young people a voice – and a chance. The Young Producers scheme will not just allow those taking part to funnel their passion and ideas into creating unforgettable events, but also equip them with skills essential to pursue a career in the arts.
“The hall is committed to fostering a love of music in young people, attracting new audiences and creating a uniquely diverse programme, so we’re incredibly excited by this new project.”
No previous experience (or a degree) are necessary, but applications should have a “passion for the arts and an interest in pursuing a career in the creative industries”. More information is available at the Royal Albert Hall website.
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