New partnership
helps students
and graduates
make the ‘SHIFT’
T
HREE OF SCOTLAND’S LEADING arts institutions
have joined forces to help students and recent
graduates make the move from higher education to
their professional careers.
Recognising the importance of collaborating across institutions
and disciplines, QMU, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and
the Glasgow School of Art established a new, innovative partnership
called SHIFT earlier this year. This collaboration is part of CAN DO
Scotland – a vision developed in 2014 by members from Scotland’s
entrepreneurial support ecosystem and supported by the Scottish
Government.
CAN DO is Scotland’s vision to become a world-leading
entrepreneurial and innovative nation, a place where growth and
innovation go hand in hand, leading to wider benefits for all. The
creative industries will be a key factor in achieving sustainable
economic growth to allow Scotland to flourish.
In recognition of higher education’s important role in creating
a supportive creative environment for entrepreneurship and
innovation, especially among our students and graduates, SHIFT
will deliver a range of specialist events and resources for budding
creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists, designers, producers
and performers. The landmark programme of the partnership is the
SHIFT Summer School, which was held in Glasgow in September
2019.
Delivered by industry partners including the BBC and Cultural
Enterprise Office, the Summer School offered 60 students and
recent graduates from all three institutions a week-long, intensive
series of interactive workshops, small break out conversations,
creative activities and one-to-one clinics.
Guest speakers included entrepreneur and TV presenter Amar
Latif, BBC Content Editor Sharon Mann, and Jamie Jefferson from
digital agency Equator.
Working with peer groups from across a range of disciplines and
with different skills, these activities equipped participants with the
collaborative, practical, creative and entrepreneurial skills that will
support them in making the transitional shift from being a student
to becoming an independent professional practitioner in the cultural
and creative industries.
Miriam Smith, Business Development Manager at QMU, said:
“The week was an outstanding success and feedback from the
participants has confirmed that the programme has motivated and
inspired them to achieve their creative ambitions. ❒
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QMYOU / Supporting Entrepreneurship