Link
Our links directory lists organisations of interest to those starting out, or moving on, in the creative and cultural industries.
Expand the headings below to find other sources of information and resources for this sector.
Advertising - Craft - Cultural heritage - Design - Literature - Music - Performing arts -Visual arts
Arts management
-
Arts and Humanities Research Council
The Creative and Performing Arts section of the AHRC website has been developed to help practice-led researchers working in the creative and performing arts easily find information about current AHRC funding opportunities and events relevant to their community. -
Arts Council England
Arts Council England, as the national development agency for the arts, supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, carnival to crafts. -
Common Purpose Matrix Programme
Common Purpose is a not-for-profit that offers a wide range of open and customised leadership programmes. -
Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK. -
Creative Business Accelerator Programme
The Business Accelerator programme has taken some of Londons most promising young businesses and put them through an intensive support programme aimed at helping them to achieve substantial growth. -
Creative Capital
CreativeCapital helps London–based artists and people working in the creative and cultural industries source the latest information on continuing professional development (CPD). -
Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA)
CIDA is a specialist support agency that provides services, such as advice on start-ups and training on fundraising, networking, etc. -
Cultural Leadership Programme
The Cultural Leadership Programme (CLP) is a Government funded investment in excellence in leadership across the creative and cultural industries. -
Escape Artists
Escape Artists is an arts and education charity that was established in 1996. Escape Artists is a meeting point of clients, contractors, artists and stakeholders - providing a service which achieves tangible educational and developmental results through professionally managed artistic activity. -
Heritage Link
Heritage Link was set up in 2002 by national heritage groups to promote the central role of the voluntary movement in the sector and to make their voice heard collectively and coherently. -
Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO)
HERO is the official gateway to UK universities, colleges and research organisations. HERO provides information, a database of links, to all aspects of higher education across six sections packed with information, advice and essential contacts. -
Museums Association
The Museums Association represents the people and institutions constituting Britain's museums and galleries. -
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)
Leading strategically, the MLA promotes best practice in museums, libraries and archives, to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all. -
Sandford Award
Lord Sandford instituted an award scheme to encourage those responsible for running historic houses and guide their educational endeavours by monitoring standards. -
Scottish Museums Council
National agency for central government support to Scotland's local museums. SMC provides advice, services and grant-aid to its members and promotes recognition of the role of museums in the country's cultural, social and economic life. -
Voluntary Arts
Voluntary Arts Network aims to promote participation in the arts and crafts across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Arts organisations and venues
-
Arts Council England
Arts Council England, as the national development agency for the arts, supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, carnival to crafts. -
British Library
The Library is a world-class cultural and intellectual resource that serves the needs of today’s researchers as well as being the custodian of the nation’s written and spoken heritage. -
Cockpit Arts
Cockpit Arts is a creative business incubator for designer-makers. Renowned for being a ‘hotbed of creative talent’ - studios contain cutting edge fashion, jewellery and interior products. -
Craft NI: Champion for Craft in Northern Ireland
As the regional champion, Craft NI is helping to build a vibrant and entrepreneurial craft sector in Northern Ireland with the support of its local and regional partners. Sign up for their monthly e-bulletin providing up-to-date craft news and opportunities. -
English Heritage
English Heritage helps people understand, value, care for and enjoy England's historic environment. -
Governance Hub
The Governance Hub brings together people, information and ideas about governance in the voluntary and community sector. -
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
The ISM are the UK's professional body for musicians, offering essential backup and guidance for today's musician. -
London Musicians Collective
The London Musicians' Collective has been active on London's new music scene for nearly 30 years, promoting the best in experimental and improvised music concerts, running festivals, tours and workshops, producing special events and publications, and for the last three years realising radio broadcasts. -
Musical Routes
Sound Connections, in partnership with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, launched 'Musical Routes', a new web-based service that enables young people to identify and access music provision in London. -
Musicians Union
The Musicians' Union represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business. -
National Media Museum
The National Media Museum is part of the NMSI Museums Group (National Museum of Science and Industry) which also includes the Science Museum (based in London and at Wroughton in Wiltshire), the National Railway Museum (based in York and at Shildon in County Durham). -
National Trust
Works to preserve and protect the buildings, countryside and coastline of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in a range of ways, through practical conservation, learning and discovery, and encouraging everyone to visit and enjoy their national heritage. -
Sandford Award
Lord Sandford instituted an award scheme to encourage those responsible for running historic houses and guide their educational endeavours by monitoring standards. -
Scottish Museums Council
National agency for central government support to Scotland's local museums. SMC provides advice, services and grant-aid to its members and promotes recognition of the role of museums in the country's cultural, social and economic life. -
Serious
As international live music producers, Serious are committed to producing a range of high quality jazz, world and contemporary music events to audiences throughout the UK. Working with a wide range of professional artists, they offer: 1) Platforms for new talented musicians 2) Education and outreach work to develop cultural life in the UK and to attract new audiences from communities who have felt excluded in the past. -
Shape
Shape creates access to the arts, enabling greater participation by disabled and older people. -
Showcase
Search over 9,000 contacts worldwide from rehearsal studios and equipment to producers and record labels. -
The Midi Music Company
Provides music, media & music technology for children and young adults aged 5 to 30 years old.
Business, enterprise and legal
-
ArtPreneur
Artist Blogs: Why Every Artist Needs a Blog. How having an artist blog can help you sell more art -
BBC OneMusic
Lots of useful information on this site. Soon to be replaced by BBC Introduces (summer 2009) -
City & Guilds
City & Guilds offers learners over 500 qualifications in 28 industry areas – so that they can learn skills that equip them to fulfil their career ambitions or enrich their leisure time. -
Cockpit Arts
Cockpit Arts is a creative business incubator for designer-makers. Renowned for being a ‘hotbed of creative talent’ - studios contain cutting edge fashion, jewellery and interior products. -
Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK. -
Creative Business Accelerator Programme
The Business Accelerator programme has taken some of Londons most promising young businesses and put them through an intensive support programme aimed at helping them to achieve substantial growth. -
Creative Capital
CreativeCapital helps London–based artists and people working in the creative and cultural industries source the latest information on continuing professional development (CPD). -
Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA)
CIDA is a specialist support agency that provides services, such as advice on start-ups and training on fundraising, networking, etc. -
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
Aims to help create a strong, diverse and sustainable economy in Scotland. -
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)
Leading strategically, the MLA promotes best practice in museums, libraries and archives, to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all. -
National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship
Flying Start gives thousands of undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to start their own business. All the help is free if you are a current student or graduate (of up to five years) of a UK university. RSA Flying Start Programme - a 12 month free programme for business readiness for graduates from UK universities of up to five years who wish to start businesses in the creative industries area. -
Point Blank
Point Blank has studios based in London and Sheffield and has a ten year history of providing tuition in music production, songwriting, radio broadcasting and DJ skills. -
Point Blank online
Point Blank's online school for people who are looking for more affordable, flexible music production courses or those who are not able to attend their college in London. -
She Says
Aiming to get more women into the digital advertising industry and to the top of it. They hold networking events where key people in the industry share their thoughts and help people to either get started or work their way up. -
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust may be able to help you if you are aged 18-30, unemployed and have an idea for a business but can't raise the cash to get it started from anywhere else.
Diversity
-
ADFED - Asian Dub Foundation
ADFED promotes opportunities to access development, support and representation within the cultural industries, works with key practitioners in the music industry and uses specialist music technology in production and performance training to young people and participants. Asian Dub Foundation (ADF) set up ADFED as its educational arm in 1998. ADFED now operates as a not for profit independent enterprise. -
Arts and Humanities Research Council
The Creative and Performing Arts section of the AHRC website has been developed to help practice-led researchers working in the creative and performing arts easily find information about current AHRC funding opportunities and events relevant to their community. -
Artswork
An independent youth arts development agency committed to developing creative opportunities for young people aged 12-25. Current programme of work includes: Projects, Training, Youth Arts Consultancy, Networking and Advice Services, and Creating Futures specialist arts work with young people at risk. -
BBC Blast
BBC Blast aims to inspire and motivate young people to develop their creative talents and showcase their art, dance, film, music, writing, games and fashion skills. -
Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK. -
Fly Global Music Culture
Offers up-and-coming music journalists a chance to write reviews and features on 'world', jazz and folk. -
Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO)
HERO is the official gateway to UK universities, colleges and research organisations. HERO provides information, a database of links, to all aspects of higher education across six sections packed with information, advice and essential contacts. -
Ideas Factory
The Channel 4-produced Ideas Factory aims to help people to make their first - or next - move in their career in the creative industries. The website has sections on writing, new media, funding and awards. -
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)
Leading strategically, the MLA promotes best practice in museums, libraries and archives, to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all. -
Serious
As international live music producers, Serious are committed to producing a range of high quality jazz, world and contemporary music events to audiences throughout the UK. Working with a wide range of professional artists, they offer: 1) Platforms for new talented musicians 2) Education and outreach work to develop cultural life in the UK and to attract new audiences from communities who have felt excluded in the past. -
She Says
Aiming to get more women into the digital advertising industry and to the top of it. They hold networking events where key people in the industry share their thoughts and help people to either get started or work their way up. -
The Midi Music Company
Provides music, media & music technology for children and young adults aged 5 to 30 years old. -
Voluntary Arts
Voluntary Arts Network aims to promote participation in the arts and crafts across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Education and training
-
ADFED - Asian Dub Foundation
ADFED promotes opportunities to access development, support and representation within the cultural industries, works with key practitioners in the music industry and uses specialist music technology in production and performance training to young people and participants. Asian Dub Foundation (ADF) set up ADFED as its educational arm in 1998. ADFED now operates as a not for profit independent enterprise. -
Arts and Humanities Research Council
The Creative and Performing Arts section of the AHRC website has been developed to help practice-led researchers working in the creative and performing arts easily find information about current AHRC funding opportunities and events relevant to their community. -
Artswork
An independent youth arts development agency committed to developing creative opportunities for young people aged 12-25. Current programme of work includes: Projects, Training, Youth Arts Consultancy, Networking and Advice Services, and Creating Futures specialist arts work with young people at risk. -
BBC Blast
BBC Blast aims to inspire and motivate young people to develop their creative talents and showcase their art, dance, film, music, writing, games and fashion skills. -
City & Guilds
City & Guilds offers learners over 500 qualifications in 28 industry areas – so that they can learn skills that equip them to fulfil their career ambitions or enrich their leisure time. -
Common Purpose Matrix Programme
Common Purpose is a not-for-profit that offers a wide range of open and customised leadership programmes. -
Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK. -
Creative Business Accelerator Programme
The Business Accelerator programme has taken some of Londons most promising young businesses and put them through an intensive support programme aimed at helping them to achieve substantial growth. -
Creative Capital
CreativeCapital helps London–based artists and people working in the creative and cultural industries source the latest information on continuing professional development (CPD). -
CreativePeople
The CreativePeople network offers information on resources and events: workshops, conferences, courses, mentoring schemes, critical appraisal services and online toolkits. You will also find news about job opportunities and commissions. -
Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA)
CIDA is a specialist support agency that provides services, such as advice on start-ups and training on fundraising, networking, etc. -
Cultural Leadership Programme
The Cultural Leadership Programme (CLP) is a Government funded investment in excellence in leadership across the creative and cultural industries. -
English Heritage
English Heritage helps people understand, value, care for and enjoy England's historic environment. -
Escape Artists
Escape Artists is an arts and education charity that was established in 1996. Escape Artists is a meeting point of clients, contractors, artists and stakeholders - providing a service which achieves tangible educational and developmental results through professionally managed artistic activity. -
Fly Global Music Culture
Offers up-and-coming music journalists a chance to write reviews and features on 'world', jazz and folk. -
Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO)
HERO is the official gateway to UK universities, colleges and research organisations. HERO provides information, a database of links, to all aspects of higher education across six sections packed with information, advice and essential contacts. -
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
Aims to help create a strong, diverse and sustainable economy in Scotland. -
Ideas Factory
The Channel 4-produced Ideas Factory aims to help people to make their first - or next - move in their career in the creative industries. The website has sections on writing, new media, funding and awards. -
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
The ISM are the UK's professional body for musicians, offering essential backup and guidance for today's musician. -
Institute of Field Archaeologists
The Institute for Archaeologists is a professional organisation for all archaeologists and others involved in protecting and understanding the historic environment. -
London Musicians Collective
The London Musicians' Collective has been active on London's new music scene for nearly 30 years, promoting the best in experimental and improvised music concerts, running festivals, tours and workshops, producing special events and publications, and for the last three years realising radio broadcasts. -
Museums Association
The Museums Association represents the people and institutions constituting Britain's museums and galleries. -
Musical Routes
Sound Connections, in partnership with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, launched 'Musical Routes', a new web-based service that enables young people to identify and access music provision in London. -
MusicLeader
MusicLeader is a UK-wide Youth Music initiative and aims to provide access to training and professional development for music leaders (including practitioners and managers) at every stage of their career. -
National Trust
Works to preserve and protect the buildings, countryside and coastline of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in a range of ways, through practical conservation, learning and discovery, and encouraging everyone to visit and enjoy their national heritage. -
Scottish Museums Council
National agency for central government support to Scotland's local museums. SMC provides advice, services and grant-aid to its members and promotes recognition of the role of museums in the country's cultural, social and economic life. -
Serious
As international live music producers, Serious are committed to producing a range of high quality jazz, world and contemporary music events to audiences throughout the UK. Working with a wide range of professional artists, they offer: 1) Platforms for new talented musicians 2) Education and outreach work to develop cultural life in the UK and to attract new audiences from communities who have felt excluded in the past. -
The Heritage Crafts Association
The Heritage Crafts Association is the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future. -
The Midi Music Company
Provides music, media & music technology for children and young adults aged 5 to 30 years old. -
Voluntary Arts
Voluntary Arts Network aims to promote participation in the arts and crafts across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Industry bodies and associations
-
Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS)
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts. We bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK. -
D&AD
D&AD is an educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities. -
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
The ISM are the UK's professional body for musicians, offering essential backup and guidance for today's musician. -
Institute of Field Archaeologists
The Institute for Archaeologists is a professional organisation for all archaeologists and others involved in protecting and understanding the historic environment. -
Museums Association
The Museums Association represents the people and institutions constituting Britain's museums and galleries. -
Musicians Union
The Musicians' Union represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business. -
The Heritage Crafts Association
The Heritage Crafts Association is the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
Job sites
-
Arts Hub UK
Arts Hub UK publishes essential jobs and news information to professionals working in the UK arts and cultural industries. It is supported by our sister publications in the USA and Australia and has a membership base of over 20,000 members. -
Monster - Arts, Design & New Media
Monster's community for up-to-date Arts, Design & New Media jobs, industry news and career advice. -
Museums Association
The Museums Association represents the people and institutions constituting Britain's museums and galleries. -
stagejobspro.com
Listing the latest theatre jobs and stage jobs and providing a community network for those working in production, theatre management, backstage and front of house. -
The Arts Jobs list (Arts Council)
The Arts Jobs list details current vacancies and opportunities in the arts community, and Arts News details arts events, news and press releases. Both mailing lists are generated entirely by Arts Jobs and Arts News members.
Publications
-
Arts Professional
ArtsProfessional is the UK’s leading arts management publication containing all the essential news, views and job vacancies for professionals working across the sector. -
Association of Independent Museums Bulletin
The communication channel for the UK's independent museums -
British Library
The Library is a world-class cultural and intellectual resource that serves the needs of today’s researchers as well as being the custodian of the nation’s written and spoken heritage. -
Craftsman Magazine
Each bi-monthly issue of craft&design has 100 pages about the UK Craft industry; Contemporary & Traditional Crafts, Artists & Makers, Craft Events & Fairs, Guilds, Galleries & Exhibitions, Suppliers, Courses &Workshops, Business Advice and much more. -
Creative Blueprint (CC Skills)
The Creative Blueprint is the Sector Skills Agreement for the Creative & Cultural Industries. -
English Heritage
English Heritage helps people understand, value, care for and enjoy England's historic environment. -
Museums Journal
Museums Journal is the leading source of news and information for people working in museums and galleries. -
Scottish Museums Council
National agency for central government support to Scotland's local museums. SMC provides advice, services and grant-aid to its members and promotes recognition of the role of museums in the country's cultural, social and economic life.
Social networking blogs
-
Art News Blog
Art News Blog is a selection of visual art news, art reviews and art-related stories online. -
ArtPreneur
Artist Blogs: Why Every Artist Needs a Blog. How having an artist blog can help you sell more art -
Craftzine
Craft Magazine goes all electric with blogs, a lively Facebook page and more for this lively project-based community. -
Editorial Photographers
An email group for professional editorial photographers who want to talk about business. -
Fly Global Music Culture
Offers up-and-coming music journalists a chance to write reviews and features on 'world', jazz and folk. -
Scamp
UK adland's favourite blog back from its shutdown by Google. Scamp is Simon Veksner, a copywriter at BBH in London. -
She Says
Aiming to get more women into the digital advertising industry and to the top of it. They hold networking events where key people in the industry share their thoughts and help people to either get started or work their way up.
Unions and staff associations
-
D&AD
D&AD is an educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities. -
Institute of Field Archaeologists
The Institute for Archaeologists is a professional organisation for all archaeologists and others involved in protecting and understanding the historic environment. -
Musicians Union
The Musicians' Union represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business.
Miscellaneous
Page tools
©2008 Creative & Cultural Skills, all rights reserved