Mercury Creatives

Applications open - Fri 15 Jan 2021Applications close - Tue 9 Feb 2021Interviews - W/C 15 Feb 2021

Programme start - Thu 11 Mar 2021

Professional Development for the Cultural Sector

Information Pack

For an informal chat about the programmecall: 01206 577006 ext 814 or visit: mercurytheatre.co.uk/mercury-creatives

Mercury Creatives: Information Pack

Thank you for your interest in the Mercury and the Mercury Creatives programme.

In October 2018 work started on site for Mercury Rising, a £9.8 million scheme to redevelop the

theatre. Last year, the Mercury was successful in securing £1.3 million investment from the

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

ERDF is currently supporting our Mercury Rising Capital Project and the new programme Mercury

Creatives to offer professional development and mentoring to local and regional artists, theatre-

makers and those associated with the performing arts. In addition to mentoring, advice and support,

the programme will offer workspace for 15 new and emerging creative businesses in the newly

refurbished Mercury Theatre.

Having launched in February 2020, the Mercury Creatives programme has so far engaged 70

creative businesses and artists. All have been paired with some of the best industry mentors and

have had access to upskilling, networking and business showcase events as well as a host of other

opportunities. Our February 2021 co-hort will be the last co-hort with ERDF funding.

We are open to applications from a wide range of creative small to medium enterprises, freelancers

or self-employed artists, working in the performing arts, who feel they would benefit from mentoring

and support to grow their business and reside in Essex, East Sussex, Kent and Suffolk.

We expect to confirm successful applicants in February 2021 ready to start the programme in early

March 2021 following a selection process which may include an interview for further information

about your application. If required, this interview will explore barriers to development and

programme eligibility.

In this pack you will find:

• Background information on the Mercury Theatre Colchester

• A Project Outline

• How to apply

• Key Dates

• FAQ’s

Further information about the Mercury Theatre can be found on www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

If you would like to discuss the programme informally with someone from the team, please call

01206 577006 EXT 814 or email mercury.creatives@mercurytheatre.co.uk

We look forward to receiving your application.

Joseph Rawlings, Mercury Creatives Project Manager

http://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/mailto:mercury.creatives@mercurytheatre.co.uk

The Mercury Theatre overview

The Mercury Theatre Colchester enjoys an excellent reputation for the quality of the work it

produces and presents in its two auditoria and through its many community and education

partnerships. We aim to cement the theatre’s position as one of the main centres of artistic

excellence in the East of England by building an audience for a critically acclaimed programme of

drama, musical theatre, family theatre and dance at the Mercury and on tour.

Born as the Colchester Repertory Company in 1937, and relocating to its current home in 1972, the

Mercury now boasts a Main Theatre (500 seats), a Studio Theatre (80 seats), full on-site workshop

and wardrobe facilities, award-winning customer service, and a turnover in excess of £3.9m

annually, making it both a significant local employer and a major driver of Colchester’s creative

economy.

The theatre plays a key leadership and strategic role in the cultural life in Essex and the wider

geographical area of East Anglia. It is the only full-time producing venue in Essex and one of only

three in the eastern region.

Project Outline

Mercury Creatives provides business support to 100 creative small to medium enterprises,

freelancers or self-employed artists from Essex, East Sussex, Kent and Suffolk working in the

creative industries and allied to the performing arts who have the potential to expand, but who are

restricted by the lack of suitable workspaces and suitable business support in the region.

As part of the theatre’s Mercury Rising project, a flexible work space designed to enable

collaboration will form part of the new shared office. Mercury Creatives will have the opportunity to

hire the work space and meeting rooms in the new Mercury Theatre at reduced rates.

The project supports creative small to medium enterprises, freelancers or self-employed artists who

are at different stages of growth. This will include:

• Emerging entrepreneurs

• Established SMEs who are experiencing barriers to growth

• Freelancers

• Self-employed artists

What’s included as part of the project?

• A Diagnostic Needs Assessment (DNA) process designed to identify strengths, weaknesses

and market growth potential.

• Individual Business Growth Plans (BGP) for each business/ practice establishing ‘business

growth goals’ and the milestones to achieving them.

• 24 hours of mentoring partnering established creative sector entrepreneurs with emerging

businesses. Mentors will provide tailored advice and guidance in terms of business and

product/service development, but also act as a gateway to new networks and markets.

• The types of support provided by the mentors might include:

- Advice and direct support on how to develop and commercialise creative practice

- Advice and support on securing funding and investment to enable business growth

- Bringing new products/services to market

- Support in identifying out opportunities to sell products and services (e.g. introductions to

potential clients and/or creative collaborators)

- Reaching out to an international market

- Strategies for scaling up production and job creation.

• Business Showcase Events - These will provide an opportunity for businesses to pitch for

investment, profile a new product or service or simply promote their business offer.

• Peer to Peer Networking Events - These will bring in established creative sector entrepreneurs

from across the region and nationally and focus on knowledge transfer and networking

opportunities.

How to apply:

Please complete an online application form by 9th February 2021.

https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/taking-part/for-artists/mercury-creatives/

This application form intends to gather more information about you, your business, and barriers for

growth and how this programme could benefit you. If successful, the details on the application form

will be used to pair you with a mentor. (Please be as specific as possible about your barriers)

Please also complete a monitoring form which is separate to your application to remain anonymous.

We expect to confirm successful applicants in February 2021 ready to launch the programme in

early March 2021. Applicants may be invited to attend a short interview to help the Mercury

Creatives team further identify barriers to development and programme eligibility.

Key Dates:

• Applications Open – 15th January 2021

• Applications Close – 9th February 2021

• Interviews – WC 15th February 2021

• Programme Start – March 2021

• Series of Events: March 2021 – March 2022

• Programme Exit Interviews – April 2022

FAQ’S

ELIGIBILITY

Who is this programme for?

• Emerging entrepreneurs

• Established creative businesses who are experiencing barriers to growth

• Freelancers

• Local and regional artists, theatre-makers and those associated with the performing arts

What is a small to medium enterprise? Small to Medium Enterprises or SME can include anything from individuals (sole traders/ freelancers) to small businesses. As long as you have between 1-250 members of staff and have a turnover of less than £50 million, you are an SME.

https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/taking-part/for-artists/mercury-creatives/

Do I have to be from the Performing Arts Sector to apply? We are looking for participants from all creative businesses and they don’t have to be within the performing arts sector. However, you do have to be allied with the performing arts and residing in Essex, East Sussex, Kent and Suffolk. For example, if you are a photographer, in order to apply for the programme you might take photos of dance.

What business/practice/ area of specialism’s are allowed to apply?

We accept any practice that has an alliance to the performing arts. These can include:

• Advertising and Marketing

• Architecture (Set / Carpentry / Scenic art)

• Arts Administration

• Crafts (Wardrobe / Make-up artist / Wigs / Prop-making / Armoury)

• Creative Practitioner

• Design (Set / Sound / Lighting)

• Digital (Film / Tv / Video / Radio / Photography)

• Live arts / visual arts

- Performing / directing

- Actor - Choreographer - Circus - Comedian - Composer - Dancer - Director - Dramaturg - Musician - Producer - Puppeteer - Singer

• Production / Technical:

• Stage technician

• Lighting technician

• Sound technician

• Stage management

• Writers (Composer / Poet / Script / Reviewer)

This is not an exclusive list

How does the Mercury Theatre select successful applicants? There is a two-stage application process. At stage one, the selection committee appraises every application that we receive against our selection criteria. To be considered eligible, you have to be a creative small to medium enterprises, freelancers or self-employed artist allied to the performing arts. We also look for evidence of commitment to business growth and creative development; and what difference being on this programme will make to your practice/business and creative development. If you make it through to stage two, we will invite you to an interview to meet our selection panel and talk about your vision for the future and from this create a diagnostic needs assessment to set goals and targets for your development.

The interview process is not designed to be daunting, just be prepared to discuss your business and your aims for the future.

What if I already receive state aid?

If your business receives more than €200,000 euros of state aid (i.e. Arts Council Funding), you are

not eligible to apply for this programme.

APPLICATIONS

How long does the application process take?

We expect to confirm successful applicants in February 2021 ready to launch the programme in

early March 2021 following an interview process designed to identify barriers to development and

programme eligibility.

Is there a waiting list?

Unfortunately, there is not a waiting list for this programme.

Is this my only opportunity to apply for the programme?

At the moment yes, our funding from the ERDF will run out at the end of this co-hort but that’s not to

say we won’t get more money to run it again in the future.

What if my application is rejected?

We are not able to offer feedback but we actively encourage you to keep continue to work on your

practice.

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Do you provide any funding for my business?

This project doesn’t provide funding for businesses but is a free business support project through

mentoring, events and the opportunity to apply for workspace.

We will always try to support successful applicants to appropriate funding streams.

What are the compulsory elements?

To attend all 24 hours of allocated mentoring sessions over the year by prior arrangement with your

mentor.

We require you to attend all networking and business showcase events unless they are advertised

in our handbook as optional.

What is the workspace at the Mercury Theatre?

As part of Mercury Rising project, a purpose-built flexible workspace designed to enable

collaborative innovation will form part of the new shared office. 15 of the Mercury Creatives creative

small to medium enterprises, freelancers or self-employed artists will have the opportunity to apply

for access to the workspace in the new Mercury Theatre.

Successful applicants will receive the following:

• State of the art production, studio, rehearsal and digital facilities

• Shared open plan workspaces

• Meeting and conferencing facilities

• Optional business direct phone line

What support resources and services do you offer at Mercury Theatre?

• Affordable desk space within a creative environment

• Access to theatre facilities (studios, rehearsal rooms and digital)

• Office facilities

• Broadband access

• Optional business phone line

• Registered business address

• One-to-one business support

• Peer-to-peer networking events

• Business Growth Plan

• Workshops and seminars

• One to ones with industry experts

• Profile raising events and campaigns

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Joseph Rawlings or

Elodie Gilbert from the Mercury Creatives team.

Please email us on mercury.creatives@mercurytheatre.co.uk or call us on 01206 577006 ext. 814.

mailto:mercury.creatives@mercurytheatre.co.uk