STEP is a Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park programme that A New Direction has delivered in partnership with Creative Access since 2017/2018.
Across the 2019/2020 cohort we have supported 14 trainees to complete two 6-month placements (paid at London Living Wage), whilst receiving professional development workshops and a year-long curatorial project. Trainees build a strong peer network, work with specialist industry mentors, and are equipped with the skills, experience and connections to progress within the sector.
Trainees have worked on a range of projects throughout the year including a radio interview with Lemn Sissay MBE, Melina Matsoukas’ film for Amazon, East Bank’s Summer School programme for over 200 young east Londoners and much, much more.
* 14 Trainees
* 14 Mentors
* 11 employers
- 35 workshops, industry talks and training sessions
- Week-long programme of events produced for group project
- 90% have already progressed into paid roles in the creative and cultural sector including artist studio assistant, curatorial assistant, assistant producers, fundraising assistant, programme coordinator, freelance writer, and one STEP graduate has gone on to study for a PGCE inspired to change the lives of children through creativity.
STEP didn't have any minimum requirement, so I felt like they were recruiting based on me rather than my experience/ qualifications. The fact that it was London Living Wage and had world class institutions made it sound almost too good to be true!
STEP Participant
I’ve become more comfortable with things changing, and been less attached to my own ideas and more accepting of other people’s input creatively.
STEP Participant
