![PHOTO-2022-07-27-09-57-46 A group of students stood next to a TV Screen](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2022/07/PHOTO-2022-07-27-09-57-46.jpg?resize=30%2C12&gravity)
Last week (18-22 July 2022) ten secondary school (Year 10) students from schools across Bristol were selected to join us for a week of workshops, performances and Q+As where they learnt all about the working world of the arts.
Connie our Community Engagement Officer, Mia our People Administrator and Multi-Disciplinary Artist and Creative Producer Prince Taylor designed and led the week. We caught up with them to find out more about how they introduced these young people to the events and arts industry.
Working in the world of arts
Members of our Beacon team from across departments designed activities; our Artistic Programming team taught participants how to design the ultimate line up, our Community Engagement team introduced participants to the link between arts and wellbeing, our tech team showed participants how to technically support a concert. The programme also included sessions with local Bristol artists and music industry leads.
At the end of the week, our participants used what they learnt to create their own ‘Soundclash’ event which took place at Beacon, with mentors and staff in the audience.
“When reading the applications from the students, we were absolutely blown away by the passion and commitment these young people had to explore the professional world of music,” said co-project lead Connie, “all our chosen participants have eclectic musical interests and talents, so we designed the programme to help each individual participant reflect on their own practice and develop their skills”.
![PHOTO-2022-07-27-09-57-55 work experience students watching a band perform](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2022/07/PHOTO-2022-07-27-09-57-55.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
“When reading the applications from the students, we were absolutely blown away by the passion and commitment these young people had to explore the professional world of music…”
Connie Badley, co-project lead
Opening up the music sector
“Breaking the misconceptions in different industries is something that is really important, but not something that often happens during Work Experience weeks”, says Prince, the programme co-creator.
“I’ve learned that young people have a more astute perspective on society, we can save them a lot of time by opening up the music sector so they can see where they could fit in. This is so much more exciting than the classic ‘crab in a barrel’ idea of everybody having to be a major label artist”.
young people have a more astute perspective on society
Prince Taylor, Multi-Disciplinary Artist and Creative Producer
Co-project lead Mia also hopes the project will help the participants view working in the arts from different perspectives: “I really hope that the students after spending their work experience week with us at Bristol Beacon will gain more of an understanding of the variety of opportunities that the music industry has to offer, will open up their creative side and make some great new friendships along the way.”
“During the week, we aimed to give participants a taste of the working world, to introduce them to the many career paths within arts organisations, and to signpost them to opportunities in Bristol to kickstart their creative journeys.
![PHOTO-2022-07-27-09-57-49 Students being taught to use a sound desk by a technician](https://images.bristolbeacon.org/uploads/2022/07/PHOTO-2022-07-27-09-57-49.jpg)
“It was super fun and informative. I met really cool people and had a blast.”
Participant
“I’ve had a great time. I’ve made so many new friends and furthered my knowledge about the music industry.”
Participant
“I enjoyed the freedom in what you wanted to do. Each workshop I learnt different things about music and marketing and each person gave great advice and that has encouraged me to continue with music making.”
Participant
“It made me very inspired to pursue music, even more than I already was.”
Participant
Work with us
Bristol Beacon is a music charity, renowned venue and award-winning music education hub. We regularly update our jobs and opportunities pages with lots of diverse and exciting positions.
Take a look at ways you can join the Bristol Beacon team.
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