Outcome 1 - Support

Trade Unions:

Support for the creative industries and various other sectors in terms of organisations as been available since medieval times, linked back to the guilds of the medieval European times. These guilds existed to help protect and support their member’s lives and careers, mainly by controlling the progression of ranks as the members were seen and the flow of funding for learning resources.

These guilds are pretty much the same as how a trade union works, helping to protect its members. Run by and for all the workers of its sector, they come together to achieve goals in main areas such as wages, conditions they work in and hours they work. The main purpose being to improve the quality and working conditions of all their members as well as supplying grants, financial support and helping start businesses.

The Artists Union:

One of the largest modern day unions to do with the creative industries is the Artists Union. This union was set up to help protect and improve the quality of work for visual artists around the world. One of the main problems with being an artist is liabilities such as the public, employers etc. etc.

One of the worst case scenarios would be if an artist was out working in the public or had placed a prop that could potentially injure someone or cause a big problem, ending up in the artist being sued; the Artist Union can help to protect the artist by providing public liability insurance.

Another way in which the artists union can help to protect designers and artist is they can supply them with equipment insurance. The tools and equipment an artist uses could cost a lot of money; modern cameras, imaging software, lighting props, various other tools, The artist union can help protect against the damage, theft or breakdown of these tools, allowing the artist to say in business and continue earning money as apposed to being out of action due to lack of equipment.

CIN:

CIN, helps to support the development of the creative industries in Derbyshire and beyond. Initially set up by a group of young creative business owners in Derby in 2001, CIN today is a well established organisation run by creative people for creative people. The help to provide services to help individuals build the relationships they need to be successful – relationships with other artists, with customers, suppliers, funders and others. CIN helps to bring smaller companies and artists together and share knowledge and experience as well as helping with funding and starting businesses

CIDA:

CIDA, the Cultural Industries Development Agency, is a support organisation for the creative and cultural sector with their activities primarily focused within the London boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets areas. CIDA like other unions help businesses and arts organisations by providing information, business support, professional development training, networking & showcasing opportunities and by commissioning new work.

CEO:

Cultural Enterprise Office is one of Scotland’s business support and development service for creative businesses and practitioners.

Operating across Scotland, Thier based in Glasgow with satellite offices in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. The full range of services is designed to enable artists to translate their talent into careers and sustainable businesses.

Design Factory:

Design Factory is a not-for-profit organisation that is committed to the long-term development of their region's creative industry and talent. Aspiring to be the best creative development agencies in the UK providing an international platform for the promotion and sustainable development of the region’s design sector. Once again, Design Factory as well as the other organistations are aiming to help support, fund and fight for artists within the creative industry.