Art and design graduates from Southampton Solent University will benefit from a new international career scheme thanks to £200,000 funding from Creative Europe.

The 18 month project, led by the School of Art and Design at the University, will bring together international partners including Solent Showcase Gallery, Cork Institute of Technology, Wandesford Quay Gallery, The Hague University of Applied Science, Recontre Audiovisuelles and China Academy of Art/ Shanghai Institute of Design/ Sino British Design Centre.

“It is excellent news for Southampton Solent University students, graduates and our partners that Creative Europe have awarded us the funding for this project,” says Peter Lloyd, Head of School of Art and Design.

“The project, called Trans National Creative Exchange (TNCE), will be an international platform supporting the most exciting, emerging creative talent from Europe and China.

“It will foster both professionals and students in the development and internationalisation of their careers, allowing them to work in partnership to experiment, create and present new work for all while gaining valuable experience and establishing professional relationships for their future career.”

Bringing together a spread of artistic, audio visual, entrepreneurial and technological expertise, TNCE will foster creative student, graduate and professional opportunities through:

  • residencies, mentoring, workshops, competitions, and exchanges;
  • knowledge sharing (conferences, international events, digital connectivity); and,
  • showcasing (exhibitions, festivals, virtual exhibitions).

“The cutting edge technological and creative expertise within the partnership is pivotal to maximizing results, and there will be a strong emphasis on the development of digital products to solve solutions in relation to the sharing of results and to reaching new and wider audiences,” adds Peter.

As well as providing recent graduates with the support and resources to help them establish and internationalise their careers, TNCE will maximise graduate employability in the creative sector, support creative practice and make new work, encourage interdisciplinary working, develop digital solutions for promotion and audience development in the creative sector, and interact with local communities and audiences.

Four other CREST member institutions also secured funding from Creative Europe in this year’s round as partners. Find out more about Creative Europe on their website: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe_en