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Developing new areas of design thought

24/07/2003

"We're asking designers to solve this design problem themselves, by applying design in new ways."

NESTA's Graduate Pioneer Programme will support up to 65 (35 in the first year) individuals a year who have graduated over the last three years, offering them a paid three-week course at the Academy. Here they will come face-to-face with creative entrepreneurs who have experienced what it's like to set up a business. They will learn business principles; explore entrepreneurship, personal and professional development and receive coaching to build self-confidence.

Up to twenty five (twelve in the first year) of those attending the Academy will then go on to win Pioneer Awards of up to £35,000 to start their own business, and will receive the ongoing support of a NESTA mentor. With this expertise we hope to see them become the role models of the future, showing how the creative industries can produce entrepreneurs who significantly contribute to the UK's economic wealth.

NESTA is looking for applicants with outstanding talent and an original business idea, who have a vision for the future and who aren't afraid to put themselves on the line. Applicants will demonstrate an ambition to further the role that the creative industries can play in the UK economy and an ability to think laterally about how art and design can enhance quality of life.

Hugo Manassei, Graduate Pioneer Director, said:

"Art and design degree courses mostly focus on developing individual creativity but the creative industries simply cannot employ all the creative graduates. We believe a new approach to this 'lost' creativity is clearly needed. We're asking designers to solve this design problem themselves, by applying design in new ways."

For a full list of criteria and to download an application pack, go to:

www.nesta.org.uk/theacademy