Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs2017/18

Application Pack

Application Information Document

  1. Overview

Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs is a business incubator, offering enterprise training, mentoring and funding support to aspiring entrepreneurs in the performing arts. In today’s world, arts practitioners and creative professionals need to be self-starting and entrepreneurial. This scheme helps aspiring entrepreneurs to launch their business idea or grow an existing start-up/enterprise to achieve long-term sustainability.

The scheme is run in partnership with development and fundraising enterprise Cause4 CEO of Cause4 Michelle Wright is an alumna and Fellow of the Guildhall School (violin 1995‐1999). The company specialises in the development of charities and social enterprises and as a fast‐growing SME itself, Cause4 has exceptional expertise in the development of entrepreneurial ideas and associated business models, and an extensive network relating to the performing arts.

  1. About the programme

The scheme consists of an intensive 12‐month programme, commencing September 2017,

and requires a minimum commitment of 20hours per week in total, including all training events. However, personal business development time can be managed remotely in some cases. Over the course of the year, participants have access to:

  • Mentoring and Coaching
    an average of 30 hours of tailored, one-to-one support provided by Scheme leaders and a range of external contacts from UK experts. Current mentors include professionals from Amati Global Investors, The Culture Capital Exchange, Artichoke, the BBC and the City of London Corporation (including the Barbican Centre)
  • Office Space
    access to central London office space, including free Wi-Fi and use of utilities and kitchen space, entrepreneurs are entitled to approx. 20 hours of office space access per week, which equates to £15,600 in office costs across the duration of the Scheme
  • Networks
    access to citywide organisations including Deutsche Bank and the City of London Corporation, along with introductions to start up growth networks
  • Training
    an average of 80 hours of seminars and workshops on core entrepreneurial management skills , such as business planning/company structure, digital development, sales, marketing, building teams, leadership, finance and pitching
  • Events
    an average of 15 special events per year, including regular evening talks and a range of networking events featuring prominent figures from the entrepreneurial world and creative industries. Previous speakers include David Sabel, then Director of Broadcast and Digital at the National Theatre and Tony Woodcock, former president of the New England Conservatory
  • Funding Advice & Support
    including the opportunity to pitch to select investors, funders and supporters at an organised pitch event towards the end of the 12 months.
  1. How to apply

Criteria for Applications

Eligibility & Essential Criteria

  • An existing business created in the last three years, or a well thought through start‐up business/social enterprise idea linked to the performing arts or wider creative industries
  • Commitment to a minimum of 20 hours per week and to undertaking all outlined, compulsory training for the full duration of the Scheme
  • Commitment to abide by Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs terms & conditions

Selection Criteria
Applicants will be selected onto the Scheme through assessment of how their application fulfils the following criteria:

  • strength of concept
  • artistic quality (note: this criterion is only applicable if your company has a performance element)
  • business readiness
  • quality of applicant, and business partners (where applicable)
  • investment potential
  • anticipated contribution to the School’s life or community programmes*

*Projects with engagement across East London, with links back into the School’s community and education programmes, or major touring or digital components will be particularly welcome.

Application Process

Complete a Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs application pack, and submit it together with the lead applicant’s CV (and optional business plan) to CEntrepreneurs@Guildhall School.ac.uk by 5pm on 6 July 2017.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with course leaders on 26 July 2017.

Fees

The 2017/2018 feefor the Scheme is£3100. Guildhall alumni are eligible for a 50% discount, resulting in a fee of £1550.

Flexible payment option:
As we are aware of the financial challenges faced by start-ups, Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs offers a flexible payment option (not applicable to concessionary rates). Fees will need to be paid in two installments of £1550 each.

Key Dates

  • Open day: 3 May 2017
  • Application Deadline:5pm on 6 July 2017.
  • Interviews for shortlisted applicants:26 July 2017.

The scheme will start in September 2017.

Application Form

To be completed by Principal Applicant. When applicable, declarations by the principal applicant apply to all additional business partners.

I hereby apply for myself and on behalf of my business partners listed below (if any) for placement in the Scheme for 2017-2018.

I have received a copy of the Conditions applicable to the Scheme and agree that I and my business partners (if any) will abide by them.

I understand and accept that, if the conditions are not complied with, the Guildhall School has the right, at its discretion, to remove me from the Scheme with no refund of any fees paid (Guildhall School not to act unreasonably).

Date of Application
Applicant(s) Personal Details
Principal applicant:
Title (e.g. Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms)
First Name
Middle name(s)
if applicable
Family Name
Gender
Date of Birth (Day/Month/Year)
Business Name
Home Address (Permanent address)
Business Address (if applicable)
Mobile Number
Business Number (if applicable)
Email
Business Partner(s) if applicable:
1.Title: / 2. Title:
Forename: / Forename:
Middle name(s): / Middle name(s):
Family Name: / Family Name:
Gender: / Gender:
Date of Birth: / Date of Birth:
Business Role: / Business Role:
Home Address: / Home Address:
Mobile Number: / Mobile Number:
Email: / Email:
Eligibility of Application(please delete as relevant)
My proposed business is
a) a well thought out business idea or
b) an existing business in operation for three years or less / A/B
I declare that I can commit to spending a minimum of 20 hours per week on the business, and to undertaking all outlined, compulsory training for the whole of the designated 12-month period / Yes/No
I am happy to commit to support the work of the School and the Scheme, including becoming a Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs Ambassador and mentor for future Scheme participants. / Yes/No
Concessions eligibility
I am an alumnus/a of the Guildhall School (from undergraduate or post graduate study) / Yes/No
Department/pathway:
Year of graduation (if alumnus/a):
Other details
Do you have the legal right to live and work in the UK? / Yes/No
Is this subject to having a work permit or entrepreneurship visa? / Yes/No
You will need to produce photographic identification and proof of the above if you are called to interview.
Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be heldon 26 July 2017.
Please note: Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs is open to all applicants with the legal right to live and work in the UK. We are currently unable to sponsor visa applications for participation to the programme unless an applicant is currently enrolled or has graduated from a Guildhall School accredited degree programme. Guildhall School current students and alumni might be eligible to submit a visa application via the institution.
Referees
Please provide two academic and/or professional references (which should not be family members). References will only be requested for the shortlisted candidates and will not be taken up until an offer of enrolment has been made in writing.
1 / Name: / 2 / Name:
Job Title:
Company Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Email:
Relationship to Applicant: / Job Title:
Company Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Email:
Relationship to Applicant:
I hereby authorise you to take up references from the people that I have submitted as personal referees, once the offer of enrolment has been confirmed in writing. In addition, I hereby authorise you to take up other reference checks, as you may deem appropriate.
Signed: / Dated:
Business Summary
Please provide a summary of your business ideaincluding:
  1. what it is
  2. who it is for (audiences/customers)
  3. what stage you are at (e.g. are you at concept stage or active delivery stage)
  4. any key achievements to date
    (500 words maximum)

Selection Criteria
Please state how your business meets the selection criteria for the scheme (outlined in the ‘Application Information’ document) (500 words maximum)
Aims and outcomes
Please state your reasons for wishing to apply, and what you would like to gain from being on the Scheme – e.g. what is your motivation for joining the Scheme and how would it aid your personal development? (500 words maximum)

Please submit this form, together with any supporting information, to by 5pm on 6 July 2017.

Data Monitoring Form
a) Nationality/Country of Residence
Nationality / Dual Nationality (optional)
Country of Permanent Residence (excluding education purposes) for the last 3 Years
b) Ethnicity Monitoring
Please tick a box below to identify your ethnicity. We use this data to help us evaluate our services and plan for future provision:
White (10) / Black or Black British – Caribbean (21) / Asian or Asian British
- Indian (31) / Mixed - White and Black
Caribbean (41)
Chinese (34) / Black or Black British – African (22) / Asian or Asian British
- Pakistani (32) / Mixed - White and Black
African (42)
Other Black background (29) / Asian or Asian British
- Bangladeshi (33) / Mixed - White and
Asian (43)
Information refused (98) / Other Ethnic
background (80) /
Other Asian
Background (39) / Other Mixed background (49)
c) Criminal Convictions Declaration
To help the Guildhall School reduce the risk of harm or injury to their participantsallparticipants must let us know if they have any relevant unspent criminal convictions.
Do you have a relevant unspent criminal conviction? / Yes / No
d) Disability Monitoring
If you have any special requirements due to a disability or a long term medical condition we would like to know about this so we can try to offer facilities which meet your needs for studying at the school. If you prefer to discuss this in confidence you can contact the Enterprise Department on +44 (0)20 7382 2310.
Do you consider you have a disability or long-term medical condition? If so, please specify which using the tick boxes below: / Yes / No
You have a social/communication impairment such as Asperger's syndrome or other autistic spectrum disorder (B) / You are deaf or have a serious hearing impairment (D) / You are blind or have a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses (C)
You have a long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy (E) / You have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D (G) / You have a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder (F)
You have physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using your arms or using a wheelchair or crutches (H) / You have two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions (J)
You have a disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (I)
Please provide any further information below about your disability or long term medical condition and any special arrangements you would need for studying at the School.

Declaration

I agree to the Guildhall School of Music Drama processing personal data contained in this form, or other data which the School may obtain from me or other people, for purposes connected with my participation to the Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs Programme, my health and safety or for any other legitimate reason. Photographs taken within the context of the Scheme may be used by the School for marketing purposes, including in its prospectus, events brochures, and website. To comply with statutory and government requirements, data may be disclosed to external agencies such as: Higher Education Funding Council for England, Higher Education Statistical Agency, Home Office, UKVI.

The Guildhall School of Music Drama is a department of the City of London Corporation. The management of data is operated by the City of London’s Data Protection Policy which is available through the Town Clerk’s Office, Guildhall, London.

I confirm that the statements made by me on this form are correct. The Guildhall School reserves the right to withdraw or amend any offer made or terminate any subsequent registration should the statements be found to be incorrect.

By signing the declaration above,I (and my business partners if any) agree to abide by the Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs Conditions and all Guildhall School regulations and policies.

N.B.Full versions of the School's regulations and policies can be found on the School's intranet and/or are available in hard copy on request from Registry.

Signature / Date