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Make that party happen

Make Space: A development programme for the next wave of promoters.

RA is teaming up with some of the UK's most renowned clubs and industry experts to build a programme for aspiring promoters. Together we will equip five participants with the specialist knowledge, real-world experience and essential resources needed to run electronic music events. The pilot programme will take place in Bristol, Leeds, London and Manchester.

Space is what you make it.

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Our Club Partners

In collaboration with Corsica Studios (London), Colour Factory (London), Soup (Manchester), The Love Inn (Bristol) and Wire (Leeds), Make Space will teach you the basics of running your own party and creating a space for your community. 

Specialist Knowledge

Acquire specialist knowledge and learn a professional skillset from RA and industry experts.

Essential Resources

Access the necessary resources to deliver a successful event.

Real-world Experience

Gain real-world experience in promoting and managing electronic music events with the UK’s best promoters and venues.

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How will the programme work?

The programme is made up of two parts:

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Creative masterclasses led by party experts

A series of four online creative masterclasses delivered in July and August curated by RA and led by party experts, breaking down the art of promoting into four digestible modules.

You will be encouraged to bring creative, branding, design and lineup curation ideas to the sessions to develop further with the help of professional designers, bookers, artists and managers. These experts will help you learn how to turn your ideas into real-world events in your local community.

Concept & Identity

All the skills and support you need to develop your concept and identity, from ideation through to delivery.

Booking & Programming

Learn about artist curation, set time programming, budgets, ticket pricing, agent outreach and fee negotiation.

Launch & Promotion

Everything you need to launch a successful party - from setting up an event page to utilising organic and paid social media, OOH advertising, press releases and more.

Operations & Logistics

The hands-on stuff - travel, accommodation, hospitality, artist liaison, production, lighting, sound, visuals, security, safe spaces, harm reduction and more.

Mentorship with club partners and real-world event experience at independent venues

Starting in August, you will be paired with a club partner for one-to-one mentorship (minimum of 5 hours), helping you to learn the ropes of promoting and managing electronic music events. The mentorship will also include face-to-face time and shadowing, providing all the support required to co-book and co-produce a party at the club in 2023. 

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Learn from experts

End-to-end training

Experience in the field

Tailored, ongoing support from RA


Why Make Space?

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There are many barriers to entry to hosting your first event. While there are plenty of courses for artists and producers, there is a lack of cohesive guidance or support for promoters who are just starting out.

With a focus on prioritising those from underrepresented groups, Make Space is designed to encourage, support and teach new promoters how to put on parties using the first-hand experience of industry experts.

Make Space aims to open up the world of promoting and demystify the industry, making it more accessible and easy to understand.


Some words from our partners:

"What’s become increasingly apparent is the lack of diversity in promoters across the sector ... it’s about identifying those gaps in the scene, where there needs to be support and investment, and then acting on it!

This is a huge reason why RA’s “Make Space” project sang to our ethos and core values. It’s becoming glaringly obvious that there’s a lack of opportunity for those from marginalised backgrounds to find a place in event promotion and organising, resulting in a music scene at risk of becoming deprived of the cutting-edge, fresh ideas and genre evolution that only comes from true diversity.

It’s always been our belief that without support to develop their practices and skills at the grassroots, we’ll be without the next generation of amazing artists and promoters that ensures our future, and that the scene needs proactive input to continue to inspire and progress. We see this pipeline as a crucial investment. RA and Corsica couldn’t be more aligned on this!"

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Corisca Studios, London

"We’re acutely aware of how difficult it can be to access party promotion in a meaningful way, especially in a small city with a finite number of good spaces! Promoting is mostly ephemeral because of the difficulty of being able to maintain it as a profession, but spaces like ours that have lasted over 10 years are kept going through the input of macro-generational change; bringing the next wave of promoters through and helping them establish a foothold in the industry is paramount to keeping venues and local scenes alive and healthy."

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Soup, Manchester

Some words from our partners:

"What’s become increasingly apparent is the lack of diversity in promoters across the sector ... it’s about identifying those gaps in the scene, where there needs to be support and investment, and then acting on it!

This is a huge reason why RA’s “Make Space” project sang to our ethos and core values. It’s becoming glaringly obvious that there’s a lack of opportunity for those from marginalised backgrounds to find a place in event promotion and organising, resulting in a music scene at risk of becoming deprived of the cutting-edge, fresh ideas and genre evolution that only comes from true diversity.

It’s always been our belief that without support to develop their practices and skills at the grassroots, we’ll be without the next generation of amazing artists and promoters that ensures our future, and that the scene needs proactive input to continue to inspire and progress. We see this pipeline as a crucial investment. RA and Corsica couldn’t be more aligned on this!"

Corsica Studios, London

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SOUP

"We’re acutely aware of how difficult it can be to access party promotion in a meaningful way especially in a small city with a finite number of good spaces! Promoting is mostly ephemeral because of the difficulty of being able to maintain it as a profession, but spaces like ours that have lasted over 10 years are kept going through the input of macro-generational change; bringing the next wave of promoters through and helping them establish a foothold in the industry is paramount to keeping venues and local scenes alive and healthy."

Soup, Manchester


Application Process

The Make Space application process is open to anyone but aims to address the lack of diversity within the music industry. We will prioritise applications from underrepresented groups, including women and people of gender minorities, people from the Global Majority and participants from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

A diverse panel of industry experts made up of seasoned promoters, venue partners and RA Staff will support the application process. 

After applications have been shortlisted, applicants will be invited for online interviews with club partners before final participants are selected.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 11th June.

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FAQs

I have no experience organising parties, can I apply?
Yes you can! No prior experience or qualifications are needed. 

I’ve put on a few parties before, is this for me? 
This programme is for beginners. Experience putting on one or two small parties is OK, as long as you aren't a seasoned promoter.

Can I participate in this alongside a full time job? 
Yes, the masterclasses will be delivered in the evenings in July and the club mentorship can be adapted to fit your schedule over August and September.

How many hours and how many months is the course?
Over July / August: 4 x 2 hour masterclasses hosted after 6pm.  Dates to be confirmed.
Over August / September: 5 hours of online or face to face mentorship from club partners (hours will be fitted around your / the clubs schedule)

Will I get paid?  
Yes, each participant will be given a £500 grant and an additional budget of £1000 for booking and promoting the event in collaboration with the Club Partner.

Do you have to live in the UK or be UK citizen to apply? 

Yes, participants are required to be based in the UK, but you do not need to be a UK citizen to apply. 

Is there an age limit?

Participants must be 18+ years old and there is no upper age limit.

Why is this just England?

This is our pilot year, the plan is to scale up in 2024 with more locations and more participants. 

I live outside of the partner cities, can I still apply?

There is a 50 mile catchment area outside of the partner cities. A travel bursary will be provided where necessary. 

Can I apply with my crew or collective?

No, the pilot programme is open to individual applicants only.

Is there an obligation to promote parties once the programme is complete?

No, we hope this programme will help to give you the skills and tools you need to create events for your community - both large or small but there are no programme obligations to continue.

FAQs:

  • I have no experience organising parties, can I apply?
    Yes you can, no prior experience or qualifications are needed.
     
  • I’ve put on a few parties before, is this for me?
    This programme is for beginners - experience putting on a couple of small parties is OK, but ideally no more than three events.

  • Can I participate in this alongside a full time job?
    Yes, the masterclasses will be delivered in the evenings in July and the club mentorship can be adapted to fit your schedule over August and September.

  • How many hours and how many months is the course?
    Over July and August, there will be 4 x 2 hour masterclasses hosted after 6pm (dates TBC).

    Over August and September, there will be 5 hours of online or face-to-face mentorship from club partners (hours will be fitted around your schedule). The club shows will take place between October and December.

  • Will I get paid?  
    Yes, each participant will be given a £500 participation grant and an additional budget of £1000 to support an event in collaboration with the Club Partner.
  • Do you have to live in the UK or be UK citizen to apply?

    Yes, participants are required to be based in the UK, but you do not need to be a UK citizen to apply. 

  • Is there an age limit?

    Participants must be 18+ years old and there is no upper age limit.

  • Why is this just in England?

    This is our pilot year, the plan is to scale up in 2024 with more locations and more participants. 

  • I live outside of the partner cities, can I still apply?

    There is a 50 mile catchment area outside of the partner cities. A travel bursary will be provided where necessary. 

  • Can I apply with my crew or collective?

    No, the pilot programme is open to individual applicants only.

  • Is there an obligation to promote parties once the programme is complete?

    No, we hope this programme will give you the skills and tools you need to create events for your community, but there are no programme obligations to continue.

  • I have no experience organising parties, can I apply?
    Yes you can, no prior experience or qualifications are needed.
     
  • I’ve put on a few parties before, is this for me?
    This programme is for beginners - experience putting on a couple of small parties is OK, but ideally no more than three events.

  • Can I participate in this alongside a full time job?
    Yes, the masterclasses will be delivered in the evenings in July and the club mentorship can be adapted to fit your schedule over August and September.

  • How many hours and how many months is the course?
    Over July and August, there will be 4 x 2 hour masterclasses hosted after 6pm (dates TBC).

    Over August and September, there will be 5 hours of online or face-to-face mentorship from club partners (hours will be fitted around your schedule). The club shows will take place between October and December.

  • Will I get paid?  
    Yes, each participant will be given a £500 participation grant and an additional budget of £1000 to support an event in collaboration with the Club Partner.
  • Do you have to live in the UK or be a UK citizen to apply?
    Yes, participants are required to be based in the UK, but you do not need to be a UK citizen to apply. 

  • Is there an age limit?
    Participants must be 18+ years old and there is no upper age limit.

  • Why is this just in England?
    This is our pilot year, the plan is to scale up in 2024 with more locations and more participants. 

  • I live outside of the partner cities, can I still apply?
    There is a 50 mile catchment area outside of the partner cities. A travel bursary will be provided where necessary. 

  • Can I apply with my crew or collective?
    No, the pilot programme is open to individual applicants only.

  • Is there an obligation to promote parties once the programme is complete?
    No, we hope this programme will give you the skills and tools you need to create events for your community, but there are no programme obligations to continue.

You can help us make this space

Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about the Make Space programme.