anam creative:(in)dustry

About

(in)dustry is a nine-month remote project supporting five young creatives aged 18-25 (or up to 30 if d/Deaf, neurodivergent or Disabled) from underrepresented backgrounds, living outside Scotland’s central belt (Glasgow & Edinburgh). 

This project will support participants to develop sustainable businesses and freelance practices within the music industries. This can include, but is not limited to, areas such as design, videography, photography, music management, promotion, events, booking, running a record label, live sound, and not-for-profit work.

Participants will receive:

• A £2,000 bursary to support them.

• Mentorship from industry professionals 

• Support from the anam creative team

• Regular group reflection sessions supporting collaboration, skill-sharing and community building

Through this participants will gain real-world insight into the processes of running a creative business or sustaining freelance work in the music industries.

This is for:

• Young people who have pre-existing ideas or some experience (doesn't have to be extensive) in behind the scenes music industry roles and will benefit from our support.

• Musicians who are keen to develop side hustles to support their music careers. 

• Creatives who love music and want to work within the sector.

• Individuals who actively want to collaborate and work with others.

This project is anchored in collaboration, led through regular meet-ups where the five selected participants will support each other's development, creating a Scotland wide collective and support network.  

This initiative responds directly to the lack of accessible and inclusive routes into behind-the-scenes music industry roles. Many talented young people face barriers such as financial insecurity, limited networks, and a lack of visible role models. This programme offers a structured, supportive, and paid opportunity designed around the realities of how the music industries operate today. 

Other commitments In partnership with our funders:

We are grateful to have been invited back for a second year of funding through Youth Music’s Industry Connect Grant. 

As part of this project, participants will join The Industry Connect Coalition, a UK-wide collaborative initiative that brings together key players across the creative industries, driving long-term change. The Industry Connect Coalition has launched in response to key findings from Youth Music’s Industry Connect research. It aims to implement practical solutions that open up music and creative industry careers for underrepresented young people.

The Coalition aims to break down barriers to entry in the music and wider creative industries, creating more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable career pathways for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

We attended the Coalition events throughout 2025/26 and they were amazing so we are thrilled to be invited to stay part of this network. 

Participants will be invited to attend the Coalition events throughout the project. Travel and accommodation will be supported and some meetings may take place online.

How the (in)dustry project will run:

Learning

Participants will receive support from anam creative’s core team and industry professionals working across the UK music sector. Our core team has experience in events, promotion, creative admin, fundraising, videography, photography and collaborative working within the third sector.

Participants will co-design their time on the project via collectively discussing their timelines, goals and schedules, inspiring peer support and accountability. They will be encouraged to collaborate, skill and resource share together where possible, strengthening their support networks.

Each participant will choose a mentor working in the creative industries who has a relevant practice to support them to develop their business and creative ideas. Mentoring sessions will be arranged flexibly throughout the year and shaped collaboratively to suit individual goals. 

While we have a network of mentors we will suggest, we encourage participants to find practitioners who they want to work with. anam will support this where possible, depending on the mentors availability and willingness.

Sessions and discussions will explore:

• Sustainable freelance practice

• Building and maintaining professional networks

• Funding and income generation

• Business structures and administration

• Tackling gatekeeping and industry barriers

• Ethical and future-facing music industry models

• Non-hierarchical working and collaboration

• Grassroots culture for positive change

All resources developed through the project will be shared publicly and freely on the anam creative website, reducing gatekeeping and increasing access to knowledge. 

Action

Participants will spend the central phase of the project developing and testing their ideas in real-world contexts.

With ongoing support from mentors and our core team, they will:

• Develop and refine their business or freelance model

• Build partnerships and professional networks

• Apply for funding or commissions

• Implement strategies to secure paid work

• Test ideas through live projects or pilot activity

This list is not exhaustive and the project will be led by the participants. Our aim is to see participants leave the project feeling confident to continue their work.

Regular check-ins and peer reflection sessions will provide space to overcome challenges, refine plans, and share progress.

Reflection

Monthly two-hour group reflection sessions will be facilitated by anam’s core team. These sessions will provide space for:

• Catching up

• Collaborative learning and skill sharing

• Creating goals

• Tracking progress

• Feedback and discussion

• Collective problem-solving

In the final stages, reflection will focus on reviewing progress, preparing next steps, and developing resources for our website to share learning with others in our community.

Exact dates for the reflection sessions will be shared with successful applicants. 

Structure and Timeline

Development and Planning (July-September)

• Participants meet one another and are introduced to the project’s core values and expectations.

• Core team mentors are assigned, and participants collaboratively plan timelines and define clear goals.

• Industry mentors are selected with support from the core team, and mentoring relationships begin.

• The first group reflection sessions take place, building a sense of cohort and shared purpose.

Action (October-December)

• Participants focus on delivering their goals through autonomous working, supported by regular mentor sessions and group reflection.

• This extended period allows participants to test ideas in real-world contexts, respond to challenges, and build confidence navigating freelance environments.

Future Planning (January-March)

Participants evaluate their development, gather key learnings, and prepare for progression beyond the programme.

This may include:

• Fundraising support

• Securing freelance contracts

• Formalising business structures

• Developing public-facing resources 

Bursary

The £2,000 bursary will be paid in installments over the course of the project. An additional access bursary is available to support the purchase of technology required for online participation.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to people who:

• Are aged 18-25 (or up to 30 if d/Deaf, neurodivergent or Disabled)

• Live outside Scotland’s central belt (Glasgow & Edinburgh)

• Identify as underrepresented in the music industries

• Are interested in developing a behind-the-scenes career in music

• Are not in full time education 

We particularly encourage applications from people who are:

• Women

• Black, Asian or from other racialised communities

• Disabled and/or neurodivergent

• From low-income or working-class backgrounds

• Trans and/or non-binary

• Non-graduates

• Based in rural areas 

We bring together many different life experiences and personalities in our projects and expect mutual understanding, patience and care from all participants. We believe that bringing together identities is fundamental to cultivating positive change.

You do not need extensive professional experience in the music industries - only curiosity, commitment, and a desire to build a sustainable practice.