Based in Newbury, the Corn Exchange and the Watermill Theatre are launching a collaborative three-year pilot programme to explore career prospects in the arts sector.
Titled Careers in the Arts, the project aims to explore arts employment prospects for younger generations and raise awareness of backstage and off-stage theatre roles.
As part of the project, a ‘Young Creatives’ group will be established to teach young people about running a theatre, offering work experience and volunteering opportunities.
There will also be an offer of traineeships in September 2023, offering up to gour six-month long paid placements across areas such as marketing, fundraising, finance, wardrobe, catering, front of house or box office.
Watermill Theatre executive director Claire Murray said: ‘Nurturing talent, on and off stage, is core to our ethos at the Watermill. We’re excited to join forces with the Corn Exchange to reach and offer opportunities to young people across Berkshire and Hampshire through the Careers in the Arts programme.
‘Working within arts and culture is an exciting and fulfilling experience and we’re looking forward to welcoming young people to learn more about the jobs that are available to them in this sector and to gain valuable work experience.’
Katy Griffiths, director of the Corn Exchange, added: ‘We know that involvement in the creative arts has the potential to help change people’s lives, and this is a unique opportunity to do just that for our community.’
The programme is receiving funding from the Greenham Trust.