Creative United host vibrant and engaging launch party for Creative Industry Finance
The evening of Tuesday 23 September saw the launch of Creative Industry Finance (CIF), a ground-breaking programme providing business support and access to finance to enable the growth and development of England's cultural and creative industries.
- (1888PressRelease) October 03, 2014 - Bl-nk Space in Shoreditch was filled with over two hundred guests in support of this exciting new initiative and there were speeches from the Chair of Arts Council England, Sir Peter Bazalgette and the Chair of Creative United, David Gilbert.
"Arts Council England is proud to support the launch of Creative Industry Finance," said Sir Peter Bazalgette. "This innovative programme represents a crucial step in the support of creative businesses and one that I believe will mark the beginning of a strong and sustainable creative economy in England."
Several recipients of support through Creative Industry Finance's pilot programme also spoke about their experiences. These included Rhian Kempadoo-Millar, of Kempadoo Millar, designer and maker of Yorkshire flatcaps; Balistiq, the duo behind production company Ulteria; and Dominic Haddock, Executive Director of Opera Up Close, a company that takes opera out of the concert halls and into fringe settings and pop-up venues. The business owners offered their individual and insightful perspectives into the contribution of Creative Industry Finance to their own business growth.
Guests were treated to a surprise performance by Opera Up Close: a scene from La Bohème that brought an energetic edge to the launch party, leaving the audience wowed by the talent on display. Later in the night a raffle offered prizes from Creative Industry Finance supported businesses including a pair of tickets to Opera Up Close's newest production, Marriage of Figaro at the King's Head Theatre in Islington. A selection of mini burger sliders were served alongside wine and craft beers from East London favourites, Crate Brewery, with the night's music provided by Brownswood Recordings' DJs.
The Creative Industry Finance programme offers up to twelve hours of free sector-specific business support for creative enterprises and the opportunity to access loans from a range of lending partners starting from £2,500 up to £1 million, or more. The programme is open to creative and cultural organisations that have been trading for at least eighteen months and are looking for loan finance to support their growth and development.
The innovative organisation behind this programme is Creative United, an Arts Council England backed Community Interest Company that provides a range of financial products and services designed to enable the growth and development of the UK's cultural and creative industries.
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