Chelmsford Theatre joins Mercury Creatives Partnership

Chelmsford Theatre has become a partner in the Mercury Creatives programme. The Mercury Theatre in Colchester announced the return of the acclaimed mentoring programme earlier this month, with applications now open for the first cohort of mentees. 

Renewed programme to support local creatives following highly successful pilot 

Mercury Creatives is run by the Mercury Theatre, with funding from Arts Council England, Essex County Council and Tendring District Council. It’s a one-of-a-kind, free business support and mentoring programme for early career creative businesses and arts freelancers working in the creative industries across Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow, Tendring and the wider Essex and eastern region. It aims to support those who are experiencing barriers in skills development or looking to progress their career to the next stage. 

The programme returns following a 2020–23 pilot, which was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with additional funding support from Arts Council England (ACE) and Colchester Borough Council (now Colchester City Council). The pilot programme welcomed 112 beneficiaries, created 124 new jobs, and brought over £2.2 million of new investment into the region. 

Partner hubs to support programme  

The new programme will be coordinated from a central hub at the Mercury Theatre with partner hubs at Chelmsford Theatre, Harlow Playhouse, and Princes Theatre Clacton. Chelmsford Theatre will support the programme through hosting a series of networking, pitching and showcase events, as well as specialist workshops and masterclasses.  

Lee Henderson, Theatre Director, says Chelmsford Theatre’s partnership with Mercury Creatives is reflective of the theatre’s continued commitment to nurturing creative talent and connecting communities: 

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“We are delighted to be partnering with the Mercury to extend their successful business support and mentoring programme into Essex. Chelmsford Theatre has recently launched its Discovery programme of creative engagement events and to collaborate and be a regional hub for the Mercury Creatives project fits with our aim to continue to nurture Chelmsford’s creative community and support local freelancers.

“Our efforts with Mercury emphasise our commitment to extensive skills development and fostering wide creative engagement within our community. We are excited to embark on this journey, striving to unlock Chelmsford’s full potential as a dynamic and thriving cultural district.”

Lee Henderson, Theatre Director, Chelmsford Theatre

Antony Stuart-Hicks, Senior Producer at Mercury Theatre, said of the programme: 

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“Mercury Creatives strives to be its own network of peers who critique, inspire and challenge one another to be the best they can, whilst collaborating and developing exciting new work that brings people together to create life-changing creative work. Skills development will be tiered to allow the widest access, with some only wanting to attend events, masterclasses and conferences, whilst others who are looking for or need the more structured format of mentoring or skills workshops can apply for mentoring support”.

Anthony Stuart-Hicks, Senior Producer, Mercury Theatre

The programme is now looking for its first cohort of mentees, with applications open until midnight on 16 August 2024. Applicants must be connected to the performing arts and an emerging/early career artist, entrepreneur, or freelancer. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a short interview (in person or zoom) with the team in the week of 19 August 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by 1 September 2024. 

Mercury Creatives directory launched to mark legacy of pilot programme 

Alongside the launch of the mentoring programme, the Mercury Theatre also launched The Mercury Creatives Online Directory & Resource Portal, a new online directory that showcases alumni and local creatives' skills and opportunities.  

The portal is a legacy of the inaugural Mercury Creatives programme and will be open to all artists, creatives, and SMEs from the arts and creative industries across Essex and the East of England. Users can sign-up to create a free directory profile account displaying their portfolio, skills, availability, testimonials, and other promotional materials. Employers will be able to search the directory for crafters, marketers, producers, directors, technicians, stage management, administrators, and practitioners. 

The portal will also give users access to a collection of local and national resources, updated regularly in response to user needs. Resources include contract examples, HR and employment, governance, budget templates and marketing advice. 

To create a directory profile, sign-up for news and opportunities, express interest to be a mentor or apply for mentoring support, please visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/mercurycreatives.