News

£950k creative careers scheme for under-represented young people launched by DCMS

A new Creative Careers Programme has been launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) aimed at giving opportunities in creative industries to young people from under-represented backgrounds. Led by ScreenSkills, the programme will target 53 priority areas across the UK, including Slough, Swindon, Dagnham, Barking, Wolverhampton and Rotherham.

Theatres will be part of the scheme, with the delivery partners including Get Into Theatre, One Dance UK, UK Music, UK Theatre and the Society of London Theatre. Young people will be offered career advice from advisers and a dedicated careers website to help them break into the creative industries.

‘It is difficult to contemplate a career you don’t even know about, which is why we are delighted to be working with so many innovative partners to ensure we can secure a strong and inclusive workforce that meets the demands of our brilliant, fast-

paced sectors,’ says Seetha Kumar, chief executive of ScreenSkills.

DCMS has also announced a fund of £17.5 million to go to selected creative business outside of London in the newly introduced Creative Growth Programme.

Creative industries minister Julia Lopez says: ‘From product design and video games to music and film, the creative industries are a stellar UK success story. Today’s plans will help get more creative businesses off the ground so they can spread jobs and wealth and help more people, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, break into these world-class sectors.’

The areas receiving grant funds of £1.27 million include Greater

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Manchester, the West of England, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Kent, Essex, East and West Sussex. Businesses in each area can apply for an additional £7 million. gov.uk/government/ organisations/department-fordigital-culture-media-sport

Seven Dials Playhouse appoints Steven Kavuma as head of programming in ‘real step change’ The newly created head of programming role at Seven Dials Playhouse has been filled by writer and director Steven Kavuma. Founder of Uproot Productions and the former Diversity School Initiative, Kavuma is currently a trustee of Actors Touring Company and is course leader of foundation acting at Arts Ed.

Formerly known as the Actors Centre, Seven Dials Playhouse was relaunched in February

2022. ‘It has been a rocky road for theatre since emerging from the pandemic and that – now

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On his appointment, Kavuma said he was excited by the ‘endless possibilities that could be achieved’ in the new role. ‘I cannot wait to continue championing, developing and showcasing marginalised artists from across the UK and internationally,’ he added.

Steven Kavuma coupled with the cost-of-living crisis – means that we, like a lot of theatres and people, face a challenging future,’ says the venue’s chief executive, Amanda Davey.

‘Steven’s appointment, however, represents a real step change for Seven Dials Playhouse as we continue to grow and develop as an organisation. Steven’s singular vision, wealth of experience and creativity will be a huge asset. I cannot wait for audiences, artists and creatives to experience and engage with his season in spring 2023 and programming beyond.’ sevendials.co.uk

6 Drama & Theatre Spring Term 1 2022/23

www.dramaandtheatre.co.uk