
Future Proof
Making space for your creative development
Future Proof is our flagship mentoring programme for the next wave of 18-25 year olds ready to make moves in the music industries.
Are you a music creator based in Bristol and in the early stages of your career?
Would you like to take the next step on your creative journey, supported by professionals at Bristol Beacon and from the wider music industry?
Applications closed
Applications for Future Proof closed on 24 Feb 2022.
What is Future Proof?
Future Proof is a mentoring programme for the next generation of musicians and artists.
Running for the first time in 2022/23, this first Future Proof collective will be with us for 18 months from March 2022 right up to our reopening in 2023, following the major transformation of our venue.
As part of the Future Proof programme you will have the chance to feed into our evolving vision for Bristol Beacon.
Through this collaborative programme, our aim is that both the members of the collective and our organisation will learn, develop and change in ways we couldn’t have done otherwise.
You will be supported in your development through advice and guidance from industry professionals, have resources at your fingertips to expand your practice and be given the tools and experience to connect and collaborate with other like-minded creatives.


What Future Proof can offer you
- A personal development plan created and tailored to your individual needs and interests
- 1-2-1 mentoring sessions for which you will be paired with an experienced industry professional
- Group sessions allowing you to choose what you learn and how you develop alongside other members of the group
- A personal grant of up to £1000 which you can spend on studio access, equipment, and other creative costs
- Seed funding of up to £1000 for you to explore your own creative ideas
- The opportunity to give feedback, ideas, and ask questions about the programme, planning and organisational development of Bristol Beacon. Special focus will be on inputting into plans for our brand new studios and venue space, including what type of activity happens in them.
- Free access to Bristol Beacon shows, industry workshops, masterclasses and training

Our commitments
For the Future Proof collective, we commit to:
- Providing a respectful, supportive and professional working environment
- Delivering a personable, fun and productive approach to mentoring
- Offering performance and presentation opportunities to share works in progress at professional venues
- Providing industry quality facilities and a safe environment in which to work
- Offering promotion and advocacy for your work and interests through Bristol Beacon’s communication channels
- Fostering a culture of trust, a willingness to understand your needs, and open communication
- Maintaining an ongoing relationship with you after the conclusion of the programme
Who we’re looking for
Eligibility
You are based in or around Bristol and aged 18-25. We are able to support applicants who identify as disabled up to the age of 30. You must be able to attend activity in Bristol easily and travel to our building regularly.
Availability
You will be able to dedicate around 6 hours per month to the programme, with sessions generally scheduled outside Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm working hours.
You must also have further time and flexibility to allow you to attend other events related to but not scheduled into the programme (e.g. shows, masterclasses etc) which are not included within this 6 hours per month.
Creative Engagement
You are already working in a creative capacity within music, e.g. songwriting, rapping, singing, instrumentalist, producing, recording, performing.
Team Players
You are open-minded and willing to collaborate with other creatives and mentors and you are willing to learn and develop through constructive feedback.
Motivation
You are dedicated to advancing your professional and personal development.
Responsibility
You are committed to attending scheduled Future Proof sessions, remaining flexible and developing your work between sessions.
Communication
You can communicate clearly about your needs, capacity and availability.
Status
You must be an independent creative, i.e. not signed to a professional record label, publishing deal or management contract, or able to act independently from such arrangements.

Timeline
18 month programme from March 2022 until October 2023
- Deadline for applications: Thu 24 Feb
- Informal meetings with shortlisted applicants: From Mon 7 Mar 2022
Programme schedule
- Week commencing Mon 23 Mar 2022: Group Induction Sessions
- Mar – Jul 2022: 121 Mentoring Sessions & Monthly Group Sessions
- Aug 2022: Summer Break
- Sep 2022 – Mar 2023: Development of Creative Ideas starts, ongoing 121 Mentoring Sessions & Monthly Group Sessions
- Apr – Oct 2023: Final Development of Creative Ideas
Accessibility and Diversity
We welcome applications from music creators of all backgrounds.
We value diversity of thought and representation and it is a particular priority for us to collaborate with artists whose identities have been traditionally under-represented in the music industries.
We will guarantee a meeting for anyone who meets all the criteria and identifies as being from a minority ethnic background, d/Deaf or disabled.
We will also guarantee a meeting for anyone who feels they have experienced barriers or challenges to accessing this kind of opportunity within the music industries because of their social, economic or cultural background or their sexuality or gender identity.
Project supporters and funders
Future Proof is supported by Youth Music


Past Participants
Discover more about our work with emerging artists
Support for Creatives

Support for Creatives
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