KEY CONTACTS
This ever-growing list provides details of organisations who could help progress your career, by offering advice, assistance, hard cash and more...
TAILCAST
Tailcast is a new community for artists, musicians and writers. It provides you with your own page that acts as an online portfolio for you to share your work. Tailcast aim to help you and your work get noticed.
EXPOSURE
Exposure provides everything you need to know about how to get started shooting your film.
GET INTO THEATRE
At Get Into Theatre you can read interviews with people who are already working in theatre, discover over 80 careers, get feedback on your CV and ask experts for advice.
ICEWHOLE
Icewhole acts as an online forum where budding film talent and musicians can share their work online for free, network, enter regular competitions and even catch the attention of leading talent agents.
MEDIA SALES JOBS
A guide to commercial careers in the media sector, from industry and employer guides to interview and application advice
PRODUCTION ELITE
Matching the best Television Freelancers with the best TV Jobs production elite provides a booking service for employers in the television industry wishing to staff their TV productions with specifically skilled and experienced people - at the same time we aim to pool together the very best freelancers and find them rewarding and challenging TV production roles.
CORNERHOUSE
Cornerhouse is Greater Manchester's international centre for contemporary visual arts and film. Both the cinemas and exhibitions departments run an extensive programme of activities.
THE FRIDAY PINT
The UK's only web magazine and job board just for media salespeople
OWN IT
Own It is a new service which offers free intellectual property advice for creative people. Their set of legal contracts and agreements are available to registered users for FREE download.
LINTOL.COM
Lintol aims to create a non-prescriptive network for all those working in the field of architecture. It facilitates examination of new ideas/technology and addresses gaps between the worlds of study and practice.
ECCA
Enterprise Centre for Creative Arts offers free one-to-one advice on setting up or running your own business. Online information from financial, legal and funding experts.
DESIGN COUNCIL
This national strategic body for design aims to help businesses become more successful, public services more efficient and designers more effective.
WORLD WIDE ARTS RESOURCES
Artists, museums, galleries, art history, arts education, antiques, performing arts, classified ads, resume postings, arts chat, discussion forums and more can be accessed from this site.
ARTISTSONLINE
This site is designed to make the internet more accessible to the arts industry and to make art more accessible to the public. Users have the chance to open accounts which allows artists to upload their work.
DESIGNJOBS
Design jobs brings the latest and the best jobs in the design field straight to your screen.
GARMENTSONLY.COM
A jobs-focused site for the garment & fashion industry. It provides a platform between employers and professionals, giving both an efficient and powerful tool for finding their staffing and employment needs.
DIGITAL EXPOSURE
Profiles 12 emerging culturally diverse artists and also provides a news and events listing service that lets artists, arts organisations submit news and event details free.
ARTS ADVICE
Web resource created to help you pursue a successful career within the Creative Industries. There is an 'ask an advisor' button on each page which allows you to obtain tailored career or course information by email.
ARTS COUNCIL UK
Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from the Government and the National Lottery.
BRITISH ARTS
Web resource to help you find all art related matters - from British artists to art supplies; arts funding to art for sale by professional British artists; for residential spaces and corporate spaces.
CIDA
CIDA (Creative Industries Development Agency) provides infrastructural support to the development of the creative sector in Yorkshire and the Humber region, including Performing and Visual Arts; Crafts; Media; Design; PR; Advertising and New Technologies.
RIBA
The Royal Institute Of British Architects links to some 2000 internet resources on architecture and architectural history. These links are maintained by the RIBA British Architectural Library and include discussion forums, tutorials and guides and awards and competitions.
THE CRAFTS COUNCIL
Promotes contemporary crafts in Great Britain. This site offers information on their work, short courses on offer and advice on setting up in business.
BIPP
The British Insititute of Professional Photography has an online guide to careers in photography and allied areas in the UK.
THE BRITISH COUNCIL
The British Council creates and consolidates cross-cultural links and partnerships by organising over 3000 arts events every year worldwide, to an audience of over five million.
ANWEB
Information, advice and debate for visual and applied artists run by artists for artists. It has three main activities: a monthly magazine, websites and a programme supporting the professional development of individual artists and networks in the North of England.
CREATIVEXPORT
Creativexport aims to provide UK small and medium sized creative industries with a tool to encourage their export activities.
BAPLA
British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies is the trade association representing picture libraries and agencies. They have over 420 members from photographer-run-companies through to museums and galleries, multi-national companies and not-for-profit. BAPLA offers a free referral service, a free online recruitment facility, and runs seminars in areas such as copyright and technology.
STYLECAREER.COM
StyleCareer.com is one place on the web where you can learn everything you need to know to break into and succeed in fashion and image careers.
01ZERO-ONE
A new space for innovation, new thinking and new practice for creative learning, skills development and networking across London's creative industries. Focusing on TV, Film, Interactive and New Media, Games and Digital Design.
PROJECT X
Project X is for UK independent film-makers who want to know about the latest developments in digital technology for cinema.
ALWAYS INDEPENDENT FILMS
A showcase for indie films and also has a distribution deal with Broadcast.com.
SHOOTING PEOPLE
Puts you in touch with other people working in independent film. There are guides on the most crucial and confusing aspects of filmmaking, including Music Copyright, Health & Safety, Distribution, Shooting for the Net and the Documentary Legislation.
PACT
PACT - the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television - has established itself as the only trade association in the UK representing independent television, feature film, animation and interactive media production companies.
UK FILM COUNCIL
The UK Film Council stimulates a competitive, successful and vibrant UK film industry and culture, both now and for the future. It uses National Lottery support to develop new filmmakers, fund exciting new British films and give audiences the opportunity to see a wider choice of films.
YOUTH CULTURE TELEVISION
Scheme to encourage and develop young people from ethnic groups into TV production and music.
BRIT DOC
The Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organisation which exists to fund, develop and distribute the work of the UK's most innovative documentary filmmakers.
FOURDOCS
FourDocs is the place to upload or download four minute documentaries. Anyone with a story to tell or an opinion to voice can submit their film to FourDocs. All they ask is that it is four minutes long and complies with their legal and technical standards.
BKSTS
BKSTS was set-up to encourage, sustain, educate, train and represent all those who, creatively or technologically, are involved in the business of providing moving images and associated crafts in any form and through any media.
OFCOM
Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services
WTC4
What's This Channel 4? website has been designed to help you learn about the way Channel 4 works as a media institution. It can be used by anyone, but is especially helpful for people studying Media Studies.
FUTURE MOVIES
Future Movies is where you stop-off to get, by email, feedback, promotion of your film or if you fancy one of their editors for freelance work. Sign-up for their monthly newsletter.
CDN
The Cultural Diversity Network - a unique online directory of black, asian and other ethnic minority TV freelancers and staff.
TALENT CIRCLE
Talent Circle is the UK's most popular free filmmaking network for new and emerging talent. The services it provides includes jobs, networking, casting/crewing, resources and events.
BFI
The British Film Institute website contains a wealth of information about the world of film and television. There are news, features, archives, facts and even access to views and reviews in both old and new issues of Sight and Sound magazine.
MANDY
A web database of film and television producers, technicians and facilities. There are permanent listings of services by territory and category, current job vacancies in film / tv production in your area, classified ads and lists films & programmes for sale and seeking distribution.
CYBER FILM SCHOOL
Instruction, tips, advice, techniques on how to make, produce, direct, shoot, light and edit TV and films.
UKSCREEN
A huge network of film makers, actors, musicians, production companies and talent agents, with power search engines, CV?s, showreels, job forums and streaming films and music. It now offers an annual award of £1000 for the best short film.
DFG
The Documentary Filmmakers Group is a comprehensive resource for those involved in or interested in the art and production of documentary film and video.
FILMMAKING.NET
A reference and community for filmmakers. Filmmaking.net is the latest evolution of one of the net's oldest filmmaking resources - the Internet Filmmaker's FAQ. The IF-FAQ is still available, but so is a lot more of film and movie-making information.
LAUNCHING FILMS
This is the website of the Film Distributors' Association, the trade body for film distributors in the UK.
THE SCRIPT FACTORY
One of the UK's leading script development organisations. Started in 1996, it finds and develops new screenwriting talent, supports producers and new development teams and stages live screenwriting events.
FUTUREMOVIES
FutureMovies provides a resource for scriptwriters and directors to understand and learn the filmmaking process, whilst displaying a range of past movies of all styles to allow the internet community to broaden its film horizons.
THE SOUNDLOUNGE
The SoundLounge provides music and sound research and selection service, including legal, copyright and licensing.
MUSICINDIE
Musicindie is a support infrastructure and brand to enable the UK independent record industry to do business in new media such as the internet, digital broadcasting and mobile telephony.
AUDIOVISUALIZERS
An essential site for every VJ, with software downloads, clips libraries, and experimental hardware schematics.
IXI
As a network of computer music experimentalists, ixi software produces small prototypes or applications that concentrate on new modes of interactivity in music software. These applications (check out the specialised VST plug-ins) can be found on this site and downloaded in both PC and Mac format.
SCHOOL OF SOUND
This school deals with sound production for TV, films and interactive media.
SINGERS UK
Singers U.K. is an online community of professional singers, primarily based in the United Kingdom. The site allows users to contribute to the new articles section and share their professional experience with others.
RFML
Royalty Free Music Library offering production music tracks, flash loops and interface sounds from multimedia, creative, businesses and broadcast. Download royalty free mp3 music: instant preview, purchase and download.
GETMYSONG
GetmySong.com is a worldwide resource of music business professionals, offers forums, directories and provides news about celebrities, music industry and music-related articles. No matter what role you are playing, GetmySong.com endeavour can kick-start your career.
SAE UK
The SAE Institute is a private worldwide training college, that is the largest training provider in the fields of Audio Engineering, Creative Media and Digital Film. Apart from certificate and diploma courses, SAE offers BA honours degrees validated by Middlesex University.
GREMLIN UK
Gremlin UK music and tour management works as a music portal company with the aim of being a one stop shop for those who would like to work with / hire music bands, and to support musicians and bands to allow them to concentrate on what's important- performing well.
SOUND GENERATOR
Soundgenerator.com offers a directory featuring the most complete knowledge of the music industry in the U.K. Here you can search for bands, studios, record and publishing companies. It also posts up breaking music news, features & interviews, worldwide charts and an education facility where you can find a local music tutor or workshop.
MUSICIANS NEWS
The ultimate music and musicians website. Find out about concerts, search for sheet music and access a learning database for learning music theory, writing songs & composing.
THE BRITISH COUNCIL
Supports projects involving British Music and Musicians in more than 80 countries. Involved in all forms of music -club-based DJ and VJ initiatives and electronic music, jazz, traditional music, contemporary classical music, early music, opera and music theatre.
BPI
The British Phonographic Industry helps create an environment in which British music business can thrive and remain a world leader. Browse their comprehensive list of links of BPI members, find out about the latest news, key issues, statistics and careers and education.
CLASSICAL MUSIC UK
Classical Music UK is your guide to the finest classical music web sites in the UK with loads of links and jobs.
VOCALIST
The aim of this site is to provide singers, musicians and music lovers of all abilities and styles, with a centralised resource of the best singing and music-related information, free singing lessons, music news, articles and links.
SOUNDSAUCE
This website allows musicians to create their own webpage. Once created users have total control over it: they can log in, update anything on their page and upload four tracks. It's totally free to use, no catches.
MESH
The Channel 4 initiative, developing new talent in computer generated animation.
TIGA
TIGA is a trade association representing the business and commercial interests of Independent Games Developers - those that are not controlled by publishers and whose principal business is the development of games, across any platform.
CIDS
An interactive portal for creative industries in and around Manchester, CIDS features organisations that can help take your creative business forward and has info on networks and trade opportunities. Promote your own business for free in their Creative Directory and add your own news and events once you've registered.
NMK
New Media Knowledge is a business resource for individuals and companies working in the new digital media. NMK operates across economic boundaries, bringing together knowledge and expertise from higher education, professional bodies and the creative industries.
BIMA
British Interactive Media Association is the trade association for all forms of interactive media in the UK. With more than 200 organisations and individual members from all sectors of the market, BIMA provides a valuable way to keep up with developments in a fast-moving sector.
MEDIAUK
The critically-acclaimed independent media directory for the UK lists websites, addresses, telephone numbers, programme schedules, live links and more. For all areas of the online media, it's your one-stop media portal, currently listing 644 radio stations, 367 television channels, 1345 magazines and 1380 newspapers..
OMA
The new Open Mobile Alliance is a group of companies and organisations, with a commitment to a shared set of principles, who have come together to drive the growth of the mobile industry.
EIEF
As well as delivering an enthralling set of events for both industry and consumers alike, the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival celebrates the cultural power of the gaming industry showcasing evolution, convergence and the impact of interactive entertainment on popular culture.
ACM SIGGRAPH
ACM SIGGRAPH is dedicated to the generation and dissemination of information on computer graphics and interactive techniques.
NEW MEDIA GROUP WALES
Supports and promotes new media in Wales and encourages collaboration which is vital to the growth and development of a successful, globally acknowledged new media industry in Wales by arranging local industry events/networking opportunities.
GAME ON
An exhibition with a unique collection of video games spanning forty years of intensive development. The exhibition highlights the early arcade games that captured the imaginations of millions and sparked the development one of the new century's biggest global industries.
PLOT
PLOT is a Light House led initiative which supports the development and growth of creative media industries in Wolverhampton and the region as a whole. The project is aimed at individual practitioners and organisations working in creative media and ICT sectors who would like support in order to develop and improve their business outputs.
INFOGRAMES
Infogrames UK is a web portal providing news, reviews, ratings and specifications relating to the gaming industry.
IMPROLAB
ImproLab is an art-transmitting multi-platform which presents creative people's work at live events or online using the latest technologies. As well as staging live-transmissions of improvisational collaborative art events held around Europe, this collective also run ImproLab online magazine, TV and radio. Artists are encouraged to contribute their work on a given theme.
VOICE OF DANCE
Provides bulletin boards to post reviews and ideas or chats with dance celebrities. Find calendar listings for major dance companies around the world, quick review excerpts of dance performances from all over and the latest news from the arts world.
WWW VLTD
At the WWW Viratual Library Theatre And Drama, you will find pointers to resources in more than 50 countries around the world, for professionals, amateurs, academics and students of all ages.
LONDON DANCE
londondance.com is a partnership between London Arts and Sadler's Wells to provide dance information for London.
ART AND CULTURE
ArtandCulture is a dynamic destination that delivers unique access to the best arts and cultural content and related products available on the web today.
ARTSLYNX
Artslynx is especially designed to provide the most efficient navigation to valuable information for the student, scholar, educator, and researcher in the arts. It provides arts links to theatre, dance, music, and much more.
STAGEWORK
Stagework is a unique resource designed to make innovative theatre practice at the National Theatre and selected regional partners in England more widely available to new and existing audiences.
PADS
The Performing Arts Data Service collects, documents, preserves and promotes the use of scholarly digital resources in music, theatre, dance, film and the broadcast arts.
CPR
The Centre for Performance Research provides information on creating exchange and development opportunities for theatre practitioners, students, academics and others, from the UK and beyond. The programmes of work combine cultural co-operation, collaboration, practical training, education, research, performance, production, promotion, documentation and publishing.
UK THEATRE NETWORK
Still going strong after four years, Uk Theatre Network is a free web resource providing all the latest news for those treading the boards.
TALENTSPOT UK
TalentSpotUK is the exclusive talent group for the UK's new generation of performers. It lets you network and promote yourself in the fastest, cheapest and easiest way, helping you find work and get noticed in modelling, dance, music, acting and performance.
WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE
A basic introduction to writing for television, radio, stage and film. The film section includes the UK Screenwriters Network FAQ which has hundreds of pages of information.
THE POETRY LIBRARY
The Poetry Library at the South Bank Centre in South London has about 60,000 volumes including most of the poetry published in the UK, and a lot of international contemporary work as well.
ADE
The Association for Documentary Editing was created to promote documentary editing through the co-operation and exchange of ideas among the community of editors.
ABC TALES
The site where you can get published for free and read great stories and poems.
THE POETRY SOCIETY
The Poetry Society exists to help poets and poetry thrive in Britain today. Established in 1909, and now one of Britain's most dynamic arts organisations, the Poetry Society is a membership organisation open to all.
JOURNALISM UK
A resource for anybody who wants to write for UK publications or just wants to know what's going on.
THE WRITERS GUILD
The Writers' Guild is a trade union for writers and supports original writing in all areas of TV, animation, film, theatre, radio and books. There is also a writer's resource section.
NWA
The National Writers Association helps budding authors get their books published.
FREELANCE WRITERS
A resource from about.com for writers everywhere. Find out about jobs, courses, tips from the experts and style guides.
WRITERNET
Writernet provides writers for all forms of live and recorded performance - working at any stage in their career and in diverse contexts. It also provides a range of services for writers to help them pursue their goals.
BSGFD
The Business Start-Up Guide for Designers is good guide to starting a business for designers.
LNCR
The Learning Network For Creative Industries is for creative industries and creative entrepreneurs.
PRINCE'S TRUST
If you have a good idea for a business, but can't get funding and you are aged 18 - 30, the Prince's Trust can help, with low interest loans, grants and mentors.
DCMS - CIM
The DCMS Creative Industries Money offers financial advice for anyone working in the creative industries.
DCMS - CIMM
The Enterprise Advisory Service - Creative Industries Money Map - offers a gateway to Government grants and assistance covering official national, regional, county/city incentives and initiatives of benefit to both new and existing small and medium size firms.
BEST OF BIZ
Corporate Venturing Briefing - guide on the pros and cons of corporate venturing.
CORPORATE VENTURING
Corporate Venturing - new govt. site that aims to help new entrepreneurs find corporate venturing partners.
EXEMPLAS
Grants - a brief overview of different types of business grants available.
VENTURE CAPITAL REPORT (VCR)
Business Incubation in the UK - brief guide to Business incubators.
UK BUSINESS INCUBATION
Incubator Directory - clickable map and directory of UK Incubators.
HOW TO...
How to guide on becoming a fashion designer, photographer, model and editor.
MAD.CO.UK
Online magazine of the art and design trade publications encompassing Marketing Week, In Store Marketing and Design Week amongst others. Get the industry info on your chosen career area.
DANDAD
British Design and Art Direction - an educational charity who give funds and awards and promote young designers and education.
MEDIA CIRCLE
Fancy working in media sales and buying ie getting ads in the right place on TV, selling newspaper space to advertisers? This is the site for you. With FAQs, info on agencies and owners.
SKILLSET
This site provides a guide to working in the media. Find out how to get into the industry, how to start out and the skills required.
SKILLSET CAREERS
More advice and information from the lovely people at Skillset on getting in and getting on for your media career.
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE
A unique guide, full of facts and information, invaluable to aspiring popstars or pop idols attending auditions or anyone looking for a career in the Music / Entertainment Industry.
MEDIA GUARDIAN
Provides the latest news, links to recruitment sites and has a comprehensives jobs section.
CDS
The conference of Drama Schools provides information on jobs and careers in the acting sector.
EQUITY
Equity represents artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. The main function of Equity is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment throughout the entire world of entertainment. This site also provides job information services.
SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight publishes the most famous casting directories in the world. The directories are in constant use by film, television and theatrical companies and are trusted and respected throughout the entertainment industry.
THE STAGE
The Stage website aims to help people who want to get into the industry and brings together those already in it. It also contains every audition and recruitment advertisement published in the week's newspaper.
METIER
The website of the organisation supporting training and development for people working in all aspects of performance and arts management.
PERIODICALS TRAINING COUNCIL
This an online version of a career in magazines and gives details on placements and work experience in magazines and papers.
CONNEXIONS
A website for the new government advice service. Connexions offers a range of guidance and support for 13 to 19 year olds to help make the transition to adult life a smooth one.
SUPPORT4LEARNING
A site packed with links on careers, jobsearch and life planning.
PROSPECTS
Get the low down on all sorts of career options from Prospects.
THE ARCHITECTURE ROOM
Find out about architecture competitions in USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Europe + Australia.
GET OUT THERE
BT site aimed at musicians and filmmakers which holds on-going competitions.
FERRIER AWARDS
The Kathleen Ferrier Awards are regarded as some of the most prestigious available to young British, Commonwealth and Irish singers. The competition has changed over the years and now offers prize money rather than scholarships.
IRDP
The Independent Radio Drama Productions runs festivals and competitions which have resulted in the production and broadcast of many plays by new writers who would not otherwise have had the chance to have their work aired on the radio.
COMPETITIONS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Comprehensive site that offers competitions and festival information.
JCP
The Jerwood Choreography Prize encourages a degree of experimentation to further choreographic development, enabling new work to be developed within a structured and supportive environment.
BRITISH ARTS
A list of competitions for literature and literary awards.
THE POETRY KIT
Provides a list of poetry competitions detailing the deadline, prize and competition conditions.
CULTURAL ENTERPRISE
Cultural industries business development agency for Wales with info on funding, running your business, etc.
EAS
THe Enterprise Advisory Service offers a gateway to Government grants and assistance covering official national, regional, county/city incentives and initiatives of benefit to both new and existing small and medium size firms.
STELLAR NETWORK
Stellar Network is a membership-based organisation connecting the UK's film, theatre and television professionals. Offering members a unique programme of social, development and interactive opportunities, Stellar actively supports and energises the UK's community of creative talent.
