It’s Who You Know — But It Shouldn’t Be

As part of the Counting Culturecampaign, we’re inviting voices from across Essex’s creative sector to share perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future workforce. In this post, Frazer Merrick Sound Artist, Digital Creative and Educator and co-founder of CLIP Sound and Music highlights the structural barriers that make it difficult for young people to access careers in the creative industries. Drawing on his experience of working within a sector made up largely of small organisations, Frazer explores how limited capacity and informal networks can unintentionally exclude new talent—and why targeted support and resources are needed to open up clearer, fairer pathways into the industry.

Essex has an amazing creative sector, but pathways into that sector for young people can be really challenging to navigate because so much of the industry is tiny organisations like one, two, three people.

They don't have the resources and the infrastructure in place to be able to offer these sorts of opportunities to young people. You know, they're too busy running their business.

As such, it means that these opportunities really are reserved for people who know people. You know, it's who you know, not what you know. And that's not fair. That's absolutely not fair for young people who historically maybe don't have family members working in the industry.

Imagine what we could achieve if we were able to offer resources and training to creative organisations to deliver work experience and internship opportunities. It would open up the sector to so many people who otherwise maybe wouldn't have access to these sorts of opportunities, and it will create really clear pathways for young people wanting to explore careers in the creative sector.

If this resonates, now’s the moment to speak up.
Made in Essex is creating a Prospectus to put the creative sector’s priorities in front of Greater Essex’s new political leaders this July.

‍So — what needs to change?
How can we create clearer, fairer pathways into creative careers and support organisations to offer meaningful opportunities for young people?

‍No idea is too big or too small.
Whether you have 1 idea or 10, tell us what you want to see happen.

There’s no right way to respond.
Send bullet points. Record a quick selfie video. Snap a photo of a scribbled note. Write a song. Write a poem. However you want to do it, add your voice here: madeinessex.org.uk/take-part

‍Counting Culture is open until 24 May.
Have your say.If you work in Greater Essex’s creative sector, this is your chance to help shape a future where culture is recognised and supported as a vital part of our communities and economy.

‍With thanks to Frazer Merrick Sound Artist, Digital Creative and Educator and co-founder of CLIP Sound and Music for sharing his insight.