NEST Creative Incubation Programme

blickstudios

New month new project ✨️ after a busy few weeks with our head's down working on funding applications we're excited to be starting a new ...

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Feb 6

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New month new project ✨️ after a busy few weeks with our head's down working on funding applications we're excited to be starting a new video project for creatives with one of our residents @creatingaspace

blickstudios

It's hard to believe it's almost February and after a super busy January we are only getting back in the swing of things with social media. ...

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Jan 28

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It's hard to believe it's almost February and after a super busy January we are only getting back in the swing of things with social media. Here's our peaceful Malone Studios which has yoga classes most days including the weekend. We have our @womenfolk.co peer mentoring starting this week and are also busy working on some new projects for creatives to be announced soon. Enjoy the weekend spring will be here soon

blickstudios

2023 got off to an exciting start for us here at Blick, with a research trip to Hanoi Vietnam for Belfast Design Week. In 2015 we co-founded Belfast ...

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Jan 25

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2023 got off to an exciting start for us here at Blick, with a research trip to Hanoi Vietnam for Belfast Design Week. In 2015 we co-founded Belfast Design Week and for the next 5 years it was one of our key social impact projects supporting creatives in Belfast. Over the 5 years it grew to have over 10,000 attendees and 90 different events across a variety of design disciplines.

One of the key aims for Design Week was to put Belfast on the map as a global design city, to do this we need to make more international connections so when the opportunity arose to seek funding from the British Council to do a scoping trip to Hanoi in Vietnam with the view of building partnerships and connections we jumped at it. We were lucky enough to be successful and visited this January. We learnt a lot about design in Vietnam and some of the similarities, particularly for emerging talent and changing perceptions and narratives that we are working to address here in Belfast. We saw lots of amazing, interesting and inspirational things and visited many fascinating places and probably most importantly met lots of wonderful people and organisations from throughout the UK as well as Vietnam. We need some time now to process all we have seen and learnt, but hope we can continue to work together with some of the organisations we met on this trip for this year's Design Week.

Here are some of our favourite things from the trip, swipe for pics.

Papermaking Blue H’mong community in Pa Co, Hoa Binh, Vietnam

Handmade Paper Home Decorations Blue H’mong community in Pa Co, Hoa Binh, Vietnam

Fabric Production & Embellishment Blue H’mong community in Pa Co, Hoa Binh, Vietnam

Indigo Batik Fabric Blue H’mong community in Pa Co, Hoa Binh, Vietnam

Garment Construction Blue H’mong community in Pa Co, Hoa Binh, Vietnam

Bat Trang Pottery Museum

Street Art Hanoi

Meeting, connecting and sharing ideas with like-minded creatives from throughout the UK and Vietnam

And of course you couldn’t help but be inspired by the sights, sounds and colours of Hanoi itself

Read the full blog and see lots more pics of the trip on our website (link in bio)

blickstudios

It’s your last chance to book for our returning Animation Club event in partnership with Can Do Academy happening this Saturday, see full event ...

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Jan 11

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blickstudios

Happy Holidays and thank you for all your support this year! We will be taking a bit of a break until the New Year when we have an exciting start to ...

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Dec 22

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Happy Holidays and thank you for all your support this year! We will be taking a bit of a break until the New Year when we have an exciting start to the year with a research trip to Vietnam with Belfast Design Week. We also have an exciting new project with Creating A Space that will be launched in the New Year and we will be launching our new website and a new program of events and support.

Christmas isn’t always an easy time of the year for everyone, but it is one of the few times of the year you can put on your out of office and switch off completely for a few days. This is especially true if you work for yourself. I hope you can do your best to make the most of this, and enjoy a well deserved break and get some time to rest and do what brings you joy.

blickstudios

So hard to believe the year is almost over. The end of the year before the festive break while things are still fresh in your memory is the perfect ...

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Dec 19

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So hard to believe the year is almost over. The end of the year before the festive break while things are still fresh in your memory is the perfect time for a bit of personal and business reflection. How do you feel the year went? what went well? what didn't go so well? what did you enjoy? would would you like more of in 2023? what do you want to say no to? what boundaries do you want to put in place? what opportunities do you want to pursue? what do you want to achieve? and perhaps most importantly what do you want to remember in 20 years? The quote by Annie Dillard "How we spend our days is how we spend our lives" is a good reminder, time goes so quickly and it's important to remember the big picture and not get too caught up in our day to day business activities, goals and achievements.

#reflection #endofyear #creativebusinessowners #creatives #smallbusiness #smallbusinessni #nicreatives

blickstudios

As usual Christmas has crept up on us here at Blick, so we are a bit late in the day with this post, but we wanted to share info on some of our ...

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Dec 12

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blickstudios

This week in the final month of the year, as the year draws to a close we are thinking about what we want to get done before the end of the year. ...

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Dec 5

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This week in the final month of the year, as the year draws to a close we are thinking about what we want to get done before the end of the year. Having a look at what tasks we have been avoiding so we can get them done and out of the way and start 2023 without anything hanging over our heads. Is there anything you have been avoiding in your business that you know you would feel better if you just got it done?

#creativestartup #creativebusinessowners #creatives #smallbusiness #smallbusinessbelfast #smallbusinessowner #businesssupport

blickstudios

We have our decorations up, it’s Christmas time and its Christmas shopping time and it’s Small Business Saturday. Buying from local businesses ...

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Dec 3

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blickstudios

January seems the return of our kids animation workshops in partnership with Can Do Academy

These mini animation master classes by Can Do ...

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Nov 29

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blickstudios

Happy Friday everyone! This week on our Creative Roundup we are featuring more local Christmas markets, a great way to support local creatives as well...

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Nov 25

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blickstudios

Swipe to see 10 ways we manage our costs at Blick that might also work for you. Following on from last weeks question for personal reflection about ...

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Nov 23

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blickstudios

It’s that time of the year again, this week in our Creative Roundup we are highlighting some local festive markets and workshops, all ways you can ...

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Nov 19

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blickstudios

Inspired by our reflection question of the week, this week we have finally put up the vinyls on our Malone ground floor windows. They have been ...

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Nov 16

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Inspired by our reflection question of the week, this week we have finally put up the vinyls on our Malone ground floor windows. They have been sitting in our office for months...

blickstudios

What do you want to achieve this week? This week’s question for reflection is super simple, but also a really good way to start the week. What do ...

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Nov 14

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What do you want to achieve this week? This week’s question for reflection is super simple, but also a really good way to start the week. What do you want to achieve this week? Be really specific and honest with yourself. What is genuinely achievable within the timeframe and what is most important? Setting realistic and achievable goals is important, so you stay focused and don’t feel discouraged but also so difficult. It is easy to be overly optimistic with your goals and to-do lists or to focus on the things that are most enjoyable or easier, not what you actually need to get done to move forward.

I have to remind myself every week to be realistic about what I hope to achieve. Breaking down my weekly to-do list into urgent tasks (usually client work, admin etc) and things I would like to get done (big picture work, funding applications, new projects etc). I try and map out my urgent tasks then set aside some time and schedule in at least one thing from my things I would like to get done list each week so that I keep moving forward and working to achieve my overall goals.

How do you work out your to-do list and set your goals and priorities?

#creativeentrepreneurs #creativebusinessowners #smallbusiness #creativestartup #creative entrepreneurship

blickstudios

Weekly Creative Roundup - Creative Confidence Podcast, Beyond 2022, Rosy James Memorial Trust, Mindfulness Toolkit, East Block Fashion Bazaar, Sound ...

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Nov 12

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Weekly Creative Roundup - Creative Confidence Podcast, Beyond 2022, Rosy James Memorial Trust, Mindfulness Toolkit, East Block Fashion Bazaar, Sound of Belfast & From Creative Director to Chief Creative Officer & a pic of one of the refurbed sofas in our Hill St Studios

This week we are highlighting IDEO’s Creative Confidence Podcast, on demand sessions from Beyond conference, funding for craft makers, free monthly mindfulness toolkits fashion, music and creative business events

INSPIRATION

CREATIVE CONFIDENCE PODCAST

This week's inspiration is the IDEO U Creative Confidence Podcast. This podcast fits nicely with the emerging theme of creative confidence from the creative hubs conference I attended in Porto in October, it's all about leadership, creativity and design thinking and there are loads of great episodes, really worth a listen.

FUNDING, SUPPORT & RESOURCES

FUNDING

ROSY JAMES MEMORIAL TRUST
The Rosy James Memorial Trust Award, worth £15,000, is now welcoming applications through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. This unique bursary aims to assist craft makers to develop their careers by creating a new body of work.

SUPPORT

PAUSE MINDFULNESS TOOLKIT
A monthly mailout by Raise Ventures of wellbeing and resilience resources to help you take time out of your day to pause and reset.

RESOURCES

BEYOND 2022 ON DEMAND
This week’s inspiration is the on demand sessions from BEYOND 2022, available now to watch. There are over 100 speakers across a two day schedule packed full of insight, innovation and inspiration.

EVENTS

EAST BLOCK FASHION BAZAAR
Fashion market featuring over 35 fashion sellers from vintage to high end design and more.
DATES: 17th November 2022
TIME: 7-11PM
LOCATION: BANANA BLOCK

SOUND OF BELFAST
An annual celebration of the music of the city.
DATES: 10TH - 20TH November 2022
LOCATION: Various

FROM CREATIVE DIRECTOR TO CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
Who is Chief Creative Officer and what do they do? What should you know before becoming one?
DATE: Tues 22nd November
TIME: 5 - 6.30pm GMT
LOCATION: Online

Full blog including links on our website link in bio or visit
https://bit.ly/3AcLvAR

blickstudios

We have a couple of dedicated deskspaces coming available in our Cotton Court studios over the next couple of months. One from the start of December ...

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Nov 10

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blickstudios

Meet Hannah Griffin @griffinillustration our second graduate resident

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your creative ...

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Nov 9

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blickstudios

Did you know we have lots of free industry expert videos on our @womenfolk.co website? We have highlighted them on this week's creative roundup ...

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Nov 8

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Did you know we have lots of free industry expert videos on our @womenfolk.co website? We have highlighted them on this week's creative roundup on our blog alongside different events and opportunities for creatives this week

blickstudios

In this week's creative roundup we are highlighting our womenfolk industry expert videos, a great free source of advice and guidance created by ...

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Nov 7

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In this week's creative roundup we are highlighting our womenfolk industry expert videos, a great free source of advice and guidance created by local creatives for local creatives and some interesting opportunities and events

INSPIRATION

WOMENFOLK INDUSTRY EXPERT VIDEOS

This week we are looking back at the industry expert videos we created as part of our Womenfolk Dig Deep project as our inspiration.

QUESTION - CAN YOU CUT YOUR COSTS TO MAKE MORE PROFIT?

This week’s question is a practical one. Sometimes it's easier to cut costs than generate profit. Important especially in the current economic climate. Have a think This week if you have any costs you could cut.

OPPORTUNITIES

PRINCES TRUST GET STARTED WITH PHOTOGRAPHY ONLINE COURSE
The Princes Trust Get Started with Photography online course for 16 – 30 year olds can help you to improve your skills in photography and editing.
DATES: 28th November – 2nd December
LOCATION: Belfast

FREELANCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
The Cathedral Quarter Trust (CQT), the delivery organisation previously behind Culture Night Belfast (CNB), is looking for a freelance Creative Director to develop a large-scale cultural project for 2023 and beyond.
CLOSING DATE: 5.00pm on Friday 2nd December 2022.

EVENTS

AN INTUITIVE APPROACH TO PRODUCTIVITY
DATE: 9th November
TIME: 6.00pm GMT
LOCATION: Online

BUSINESS FINANCE WEEK 2022
DATES: 7-11 November 2022

WORK LIFE BALANCE FANTASY OR REALITY – TIPS TO AVOID BURNOUT
DATE: 9th November
TIME: 12pm CT

BELFAST XR FESTIVAL – HOW IS XR CHANGING STORYTELLING
DATE: Wed, 9 November 2022
TIME: 13:00 – 14:00 GMT
LOCATION: The Black Box Green Room

You can find the full blog including links on our website link below or on website https://www.blickstudios.org/blog-posts/creative-roundup/creative-roundup-womenfolk-industry-expert-videos-princes-trust-photography-course-creative-director-opportunity-business-finance-week-belfast-xr-festival-productivity-work-life-balance-event/

blickstudios

Here we get to meet the first of our graduate residents textile designer and artist Kirsty Dunlop @kirstydunlop_
Swipe to see some pics of her ...

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Nov 4

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blickstudios

We're excited to be bringing back our @womenfolk.co peer mentoring group

It’s very simple, but also very effective. Starting in ...

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Nov 2

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blickstudios

This week in our Creative Roundup we have highlighted some funding opportunities and bursaries and different local and international events we feel ...

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Oct 29

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blickstudios

Sunday mornings have just become available to hire the Main Room in our Malone studios. Perfect for yoga, meditation, classes, workshops etc, only ...

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Oct 26

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Sunday mornings have just become available to hire the Main Room in our Malone studios. Perfect for yoga, meditation, classes, workshops etc, only £15 an hour for regular ongoing bookings. Get in touch for more info

blickstudios

This week's question for reflection is a tough one. It can be hard to be honest with yourself about where you find fulfillment especially with a ...

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Oct 24

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This week's question for reflection is a tough one. It can be hard to be honest with yourself about where you find fulfillment especially with a creative business that may have started out as a passion project. Things change, just because we once found something fulfilling or enjoyable doesn't mean we still do, especially when it has turned from a hobby to a way of earning a living and all the pressures that brings. Of course for practical reasons we may still need to do it for the time being at least, but it's worth reflecting on for the future

blickstudios

This week we have highlighted some great local and international funding opportunities and events for creatives and small business owners. Swipe for ...

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Oct 22

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