About this Event
Identifying shared goals around supporting underrepresented students and creating meaningful pathways into the creative industries, Creative Shift in collaboration with Arts SU will be running our first Connect To: Check In post-COVID.
Creative Shift Connect To is our student-led creative network. It’s all about fostering a sense of belonging and community, by holding space for underrepresented UAL students and graduates to meet new people and connect with industry professionals.
We are a community who understand that taking steps to share your creative work and get paid, isn't easy. When you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our industry speakers, ask questions and share your work. This is a space for you to ‘learn, listen and share’, find your creative community or accountability partner.
This event is part of the wider work which the CSM Sabbatical Officer (Arts SU) is currently undertaking to champion marginalised students, particularly by creating more accessible opportunities for portfolio feedback, industry engagement, and networking.
With collective discussion at the core of our Check Ins, speakers will lead breakout groups to exchange, advise and solve problems. This creates an opportunity for you to get to the know the speaker a bit more and network with each other.
Plus, we provide free food and drinks for you to enjoy too!
This month, our speakers will be supporting you on 4 key areas:
- portfolios
- interviews
- submissions
- confidence
Please bring a portfolio or work that you would like to receive industry feedback on and are happy to share with your group.
What to Expect?
Every Check In is from 5:30 - 8:30pm.
- Speaker's discussion and Q&A
- Check in
- Breakout groups
- Check out
- Group picture
- Network
The speaker's discussion will start at 6pm sharp!
Refreshments are availabe upon arrival.
Every month we have a similar format but explore a different topic or skill with new industry guest speakers.
When are the Connect To events?
This year we have 7 Meet Ups and1 Check In. You're welcome to join as many as you like and we'd love to see you attend all but understand if for any reason you can't make it.
They're usually on the first/ second Thursday of the month. All dates are included below:
- Thu 6 Nov 2025 @ CSM, A002
- Tue 9 Dec 2025 @ LCC, M404
- Thu 15 Jan 2026 @ CSM, C303
- Thu 5 Feb 2026 @ CSM, C303
- Mon 27 Apr 2026 @ CSM, C202 - Check In
- Thu 7 May 2026 @ CCW
- Thu 11 Jun 2026 @ LCC
- Thu 2/ 9 Jul 2026 @ LCF or Lime Grove
- Summer Social, tbd
To keep up with us and find out first who our next speaker will be follow our Instagram @ual_creativeshift.
Who is this event for?
Creative Shift acknowledges the barriers that exist for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education and in the creative industries.
Our programme prioritises students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education and in the creative industries. We work together to co-create spaces and projects that mirror the future of the creative industries and the diverse voices that will contribute to them.
In line with , you must meet both of these requirements:
1) I am currently a Home (UK) student studying on an undergraduate degree course at UAL or graduated within the last 5 years.
And
2) One or more of the following statements apply to you:
- I am Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E.)* student
- I took part in the UAL Insights programme
- I am a Care Leaver (I have been in the Care system)
- I have a disability according to the Equality Act 2010
- My parent(s)/ guardian(s) have not completed a University Degree
- I have caring responsibilities (i.e I am a parent, or am the primary care giver for a child/children, disabled person/s or elderly family member for example)
- I recieve the UAL bursary as part of my student finance
*We note that this language is contested and different terminology is used in different contexts and places. However as the Higher Education sector, HESA and Census data uses the terminology B.A.M.E. we will continue to use this language at UAL. Please note that we will be considering our language and terminology on an ongoing basis. We will continue to reflect on sector language and best practice.
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Positionality (privilege/power): if you’re in a dominant identity please consider how you are making space for others in the space /if you are in a marginalised identity consider practicing taking up space with us.
Statement credit: Healing Justice Ldn (HJL), Community Agreements
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If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
FAQs:
I do not meet /only partially meet the eligibility criteria. Can I still apply? This programme is aimed at those that meet the eligibility criteria stated above. In some cases we do hold limited spaces for UAL students or graduates who do not meet this criteria. If you are unsure and would like to check this with us please contact us at [email protected] and put the event title in the subject line.
Who can I contact about my access requirements? If you believe there are any barriers to your participation in this event, or you have any access requirements you wish to discuss, we are happy to talk to you. Please contact us in advance by emailing [email protected] and put the title of the event as the subject line.
Any other questions please do get in touch with us at [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Central Saint Martins, 1 Granary Square, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
