As you may well be aware this year’s Creative Challenge at UCA has got off to a great start with over 15 ideas workshops reaching just under 1000 UCA students! Many of you have been involved in the past and are keen to be involved this year – and now is the time to sign up.
Here is some info about it all and how YOU or your organisation can support the Creative Challenge, helping it to be better than ever.
What is it?
The Creative Challenge is a cutting edge, industry-led, educational programme that tests the applicability of University for the Creative Arts students’ innovative ideas in the context of the triple bottom line agenda (which values profit, people and the planet equally). It gives the students exposure to real world demands. Thus developing the skills and know-how needed to succeed in the workplace and be an asset to any company they work for.
Many different people from many different businesses support the Creative Challenge because it is a fantastic opportunity to work with, and help develop the next generation of creative talent. From the experience, businesses themselves are inspired – to use more creativity in their own solutions – and even to recruit some of of UCA’s talented students.
How can I get involved?
Become an: Assessor – Students are challenged to come up with innovative ideas that make a positive differences to the world and these ideas need to be assessed by industry experts – YOU! If you can spare half a day between 24th & 31st Jan 2012 and/or 20th-30th March 2012 to assess students submissions for the Creative Challenge, please let us know NOW!
Mentor – Mentoring is an effective way of developing your own skills as a role model, as a guide, as a provider of learning experiences, as a reflector, as a planner, as an inspiration. Mentors are required for the top 10 finalists who can offer half a day, over the phone or 1-2-1 on-campus mentoring, in April 2012.
Offer a work placement opportunity (usually during the summer for a min of 2 weeks ) – Creative Challenge students are always enthusiastic and committed to your business. Many businesses have found that providing a placement opportunity for one of our students has brought them a range of benefits – even finding the right candidate for their team!
Become a financial sponsor – of a student (£1000 investment) or for up to 100 students, sponsor a course aligned with your business (£10,000) – Sponsoring the Creative Challenge with a financial contribution will ensure that your business stands out as a leader within the creative industries in the South East. This is a high-profile, industry-led programme acknowledged by business, academia and the regional public sector bodies alike. It’s a place where influential and innovative partnerships and networks are created and strengthened. As a sponsor, you’ll be at the forefront of UCA’s region-wide PR and marketing of the programme.
What are the benefits?
Now in its 7th year, the Creative Challenge has grown from strength to strength. Engaging with hundreds of students, academics and creative industry businesses from across all creative disciplines, it is a platform that enables students to take centre stage – highlighting and celebrating the talent of tomorrow.
The benefits of getting involved are manifold, here’s just a few:
• Save recruitment costs – you may meet your ideal candidate when you get involved with the Creative Challenge.
• Foster a lasting brand association with UCA – regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Be included in our press coverage and Creative Challenge communications and on our website.
• Become a flagship business raising the skills level of new entrants to the industry.
• Bring your brand and business to the attention of 6,500 creative students, connected tutors and course leaders.
• Maximise the networking opportunities between your business and creative academics. Attend the prestigious Creative Challenge Awards Ceremony in May 2012 at the Kensington Roof Gardens to celebrate the success of the Creative Challenge finalists and maximise a great networking opportunity.
• Connect with new contacts through the Creative Challenge community growing on LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Develop your dynamic creative industries network between businesses, and between higher education and business.
• Work with exceptional creative talent.
• Corporate social responsibility: give something back, and pass on your skills.
For more info you can visit our website: http://industry.creativechallenge.info/
Or to get involved as an assessor, mentor or to offer a work placement or sponsorship, please contact creativechallenge@ucreative.ac.uk
