Partners in Creative Learning; PiCL

Job Summary

Partners in Creative Learning are looking for an experienced filmmaker/consortium of artists to work with Year 7 & 8 students at a local school as part of Stoke Creates’ CASCADE Programme.

As part of the CASCADE programme, we are looking to commission a filmmaker/a consortium of artists to create a short film with the CASCADE group about/for Burslem, Stoke‑On‑Trent which will be launched in June 2026.

Stoke Creates CASCADE project

CASCADE is our aspirational co‑created project which aims to transform Stoke‑on‑Trent's arts ecology. Funded by significant initial investment from Arts Council England, and complemented by further financial input from the government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the CASCADE initiative spans three years as the first phase of an emerging ten‑year strategic plan. CASCADE launched in Autumn 2023. The project's aim is to nurture a skilled, connected and sustainable arts sector that reaches and represents under‑represented communities, enhances digital skills and increases sector sustainability.

Four arts organisations are co‑creating four “Cultural Action Zones” (CAZs) across three high streets and one zone specifically designed for and with children and young people. The key purpose of each CAZ is to revitalise and transform the arts ecology in specific high‑street areas and for targeted community groups. Each zone will have a unique theme and set of offerings, with insights and learnings shared and extended in subsequent phases – “cascaded”.

The project is also funded and supported by the Character & Arts Foundation. The Character & Arts Foundation is a completely unique organisation imagined and brought to life by The City Learning Trust. Funded independently and exclusively via donation, its aim is to deliver a world‑class programme of activities for children and young people across Stoke‑on‑Trent and the neighbouring regions.

We anticipate around 30‑35 days of project work and delivery.

Please see our website for full details and how to apply.

• Be comfortable developing and creating work with young people.
• Be enthusiastic about sharing their learning and knowledge with the next generation of creatives.
• Deliver a film project with the CASCADE steering group focused on fostering community pride for Burslem and developing new creative skills.
• Collaborate with CASCADE's Creative Producer & the CASCADE steering group to develop and create the film through a series of workshops that take place in Haywood Academy, Smallthorne Primary Academy & Mill Hill Primary Academy.
• Positively engage young people in the production process of the film.
• Create a short film which, whilst possibly referencing the history of the Town, is also forward looking and aspirational – something that the students and residents can be proud of.
• Have Public Liability Insurance (up to £5 million).
• Have an Enhanced DBS.
• Have their own or access to cameras, sound recording and editing equipment.

• Meet with the steering group a minimum of 6 times across the course of the project to share and discuss ideas, make plans, and update the group.
• Prep, plan and deliver 7x (1+ hour) creative workshops to Year 6 & Year 7 students to develop the film (this could be storyboarding, shooting, scripting, creating props, costume – to be decided in consultation with the steering group and Creative Producer).
• Be available for initial, midway and final production meetings with the Creative producer and PiCL team, plus an evaluation meeting.
• Be present at the launch event in the week commencing 22 June (date TBC).
• The chosen artist/s will have support from the Creative Producer throughout the process; this could include support in organising workshops, practical support during workshops, liaising with the school etc.

• Artform:
  Film
• Role:
  Creative
• Contract:
  
  Temporary
• Location:
  
  West Midlands

Please send a cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) to say how you might work with the group, why you think you would be a good fit for this project and any initial ideas you might have. How would you help save Burslem?

Please send in your CV with relevant experience, including a link to your website or socials.

Please attach at least 3 examples of your work (no more than
6).

Please also send an indicative budget of how you might split the fee between artist time and other project related costs. We understand that it is hard to make a detailed budget currently, however, we imagine this to be weighted around 25% materials and 75% artist/s time.

Partners in Creative Learning (PiCL) is dedicated to providing community learning pathways and support in the arts across England.