For over a decade, the cultural and educational organisations in South Kensington have come together to host a day of free events to encourage young people to pursue careers in the creative industries. Now in its 11th year, Creative Quarter once again brought 13-19-year-olds into the South Kensington cultural hub to explore creative career options.
The November 18 event featured over 70 bookable events and a series of drop-in events. This year students had the opportunity to attend sessions on a range of different career options in science, music and the arts.
Experts spoke with students and answered questions about different jobs in the cultural and creative industries.
At the Royal College of Music students were able to join a music masterclass and had the chance to discuss pathways towards careers in music. Meanwhile at Imperial College, science was getting creative, with lego robotics and the tooth palace. The university also held a series of talks on careers in science.
Christie’s auction house hosted a mock auction for students, providing a window into the vast array of career opportunities available in antiques and fine art. Students got a chance to participate in the auction, and got a glimpse at the incredible array of treasures that pass through Christie’s rooms.
The Goethe –Institut London hosted a number of talks throughout the day to discuss careers that tied science, sports and cultural interests with German. Students had the opportunity to consider how to combine language skills with other interests and ambitions to forge their own career path.
The V&A hosted talks and drop in events throughout the day. From make-up artistry to museum curation, experts spoke with students and answered questions about different jobs in the cultural and creative industries. At the museum's drop-in events, students were able to engage with professions in the design industry and had the chance to participate in a 'one-minute-brief' challenge; a creative insight into the world of advertising.
The aim of Creative Quarter was to welcome young people considering careers in the creative industries.
The Natural History Museum took students down into the depths of the historic building for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the research areas of the museum. Students got to see some of the specimens collected by Charles Darwin, and vast rooms of specimens that make up the museum’s spirit collection.
At the Science Museum, students were able to explore Wonderlab: the Statoil Gallery. This creative and interactive exhibition allows students to examine science in a hands-on environment.
Meanwhile, all along Exhibition Road, members of Imperial College London and Royal Albert Hall undertook a display of ‘science busking’. The buskers demonstrated how interest in music and science can be combined to develop new techniques and technologies.
The aim of Creative Quarter is to welcome young people considering careers in the creative industries to a day of talks, workshops and behind the scenes tours. Feedback from students has been very positive, with students saying that they were thinking about a career in the creative industries after attending Creative Quarter.
“I really like art, but I do it for fun at school,” one student commented, “I’d never really thought about doing it for a job. But now maybe I could think about it.”
Creative Quarter 2016 was organised by the cultural and educational organisations in South Kensington. As the home of science, arts and inspiration, it is hoped that students will take their experiences with them as they further explore the possibilities of a career in the creative industries.
