Thousands expected at summer festival

by Ceri Williams

Up to eight thousand students are expected to attend the London College of Communication's (LCC) Futurising festival, when it's held for the first time later this year.

Maurice Cumber, the director and creator of the event, has told Arts London News that in a period of two weeks, over 1,200 people have registered for the two-day festival in June.

'Futurising' is aimed at offering opportunities, advice and information for students and graduates of the creative arts across the UK.

On the 29 and 30 June, the Nicholls and Clarke building in Shoreditch High Street will play host to the event, where there will be ‘handpicked’ employers, over 100 stalls and 72 different types of events.

Headline speakers

The events will consist of a variety of speeches, one-to-one discussions, CV and portfolio advice and headline speakers giving a keynote presentations.

Some of them include DJ, club promoter and producer Jodie Harsh, LCC graduate, Tom Hunter, the first photographer to have a one-man show at the National Gallery as well as leading British sculptor Richard Wentworth.

Morag Myerscough, graphic design graduate from Central Saint Martins and member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale, has also been confirmed and there are two more still to be announced.

Cumber said: "There will be representatives from companies right across the spectrum," such as Burberry, V&A, Channel 4, Acme studios, Association of Illustrators, BAFTA and more.

"Our aim is that everybody will have access to somebody from their sector, who we hope can help and support them."

Support available

For graduates from other types of degrees, there is often employment support and events such as careers fairs, which the creative arts are yet to have.

Cumber said: "It's different to say, a history graduate. A creative student has their degree show, then it’s over.

"We want to try and give creative graduates the same exit point as others. Unless you’re networked from the start, you are immediately disadvantaged so we want to give students face time with the employer, a chance to talk and understand how they started off their careers.

"It’s all about you making the next move," he said.

Students interested in booking a place are being advised to register now. Attendance is free, however some of the main events do cost. Prices range from talks costing £6 to the one-to-one sessions costing £15.

For more information, pricing and to register visit the Futurising website.