From the successes of Toipoto we are really excited to launch the Learning Network - sign up today for our exclusive reveal - coming soon.
Need a breakthrough? The Creative Commercial Essentials programme is designed to empower you to build a more sustainable and rewarding career in the creative industries.
Build your business skills and get connected to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s creative industries.
Applications closed for 2024 programmes.
We are launching our online Learning Network in May 2024.
Key information
Application dates
Eligible applicants
| Foundation Programme
Advanced Mentoring Programme
|
The Foundation Programme
The 9-week foundation programme for building professional skills will be delivered via in-person workshops, interactive sessions, and online learning enabling you to learn and gain experience while building networks in a collaborative and creative learning environment.
- 40 funded places available
- Starts 6 June 2023
- Central Auckland venue
- 6 hours per week:
- Workshops: 2 hours, in-person (Tuesdays, 10am – 12pm)
- Collective syndicate session: 1 hour, online (during business hours)
- Independent learning: 3 hours, online (in your own time)
The foundation programme course covers the following topics
- Planning and visioning
- Selling yourself
- Business models, IP, and tools
- Marketing and social media
- Audience development
- Finance and administration
- Raising revenue
- Self-management
- Building networks
Those who successfully complete the foundation programme will have the opportunity to be selected for the advanced mentoring programme.
The Advanced Mentoring Programme
Refine and enhance your new skills with a specialist mentor who understands your goals.
- 20 funded places available
- Runs between August and December 2023
- 6 one-hour mentoring sessions
- In person (online mentoring available if needed)
Mentoring supports and encourages the leadership journey of individuals and their organisations. The mentor’s role is to advise, support, guide and challenge you. Your mentor will:
- Help you to reflect on your current situation and focus areas
- Provide a sounding board for ideas and concerns
- Share the knowledge, experience, and tools in their kete
- Make connections to relevant people and resources
- Challenge you and provide accountability
Who should apply?
Aucklanders aged 18 and above who are involved in the creative industries, including (but not restricted to) performing and visual arts, film, television, music, gaming, immersive technologies, digital content creation, design, culture and heritage arts.
You may have a creative practice of your own or work in a role that contributes to content creation. This includes those working in industries or roles outside of ‘the arts’ that still contribute to or support content creation, including production, advertising, marketing, architecture and design.
The programme is suitable for early-stage, emerging and mid-career professionals including recent graduates in the creative industries or a role that supports content creation. We welcome people working as businesses, independent creative practitioners, and freelancers.
Whether you’re a visual artist, musician, game developer, event planner, or freelance designer, if you’re motivated and looking to up-skill to build a sustainable creative career, we want to hear from you.
What does it cost?
The Foundation Programme
- 40 funded places available with a one-off $125 +GST administration fee
- Limited paid places $2,500 +GST for candidates who wish to self fund
The administration fee can be waived for successful applicants experiencing financial hardship.
The Advanced Mentoring Programme
- 20 funded places available
- Limited paid places (cost confirmed pre-application)
Why Toipoto?
Ko koe tēnā ko au tēnei kīwai o te Kete.
You take that handle and I'll take this handle of the kete. Working together, we will succeed.
Toipoto (Closer Together) are The Big Idea’s career development programmes for the creative sector. We want to help you thrive and find your place in the creative community. Together, these programmes represent a growing movement of 300+ people developing skills and knowledge to build sustainable and rewarding careers.
Toipoto isn’t about teaching you how to be creative (you have that covered already) - it’s about arming you with the professional skills needed to help you level up in your creative career.
This programme offers all the tools, inspiring ideas, and constructive feedback to help you level up in your creative career.
- Megan, Toipoto alumni
We have a proven curriculum, library of online resources, network of specialist workshop guests and team of expert mentors with real-world knowledge and experience, here to help build your career.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Creative Commercial Essentials is designed and delivered in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Auckland’s economic and cultural agency.
Creative Commercial Essentials is a key priority in Create Auckland 2030, a 10-year plan launched by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in 2022 with a mission to ‘celebrate, support and enable the creative economy as pivotal to our wellbeing, intrinsic to regional identity and key to our economic transformation’.
The Big Idea’s partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited opens up career prospects for Auckland-based creatives. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is funding 40 places on the Creative Commercial Essentials foundation programme and 20 places on the advanced mentoring programme.
Creative Commercial Essentials was developed in collaboration with industry through a partnership with WeCreate, the alliance of New Zealand’s creative industries. Creative Commercial Essentials recognises that Auckland's creative businesses and industries need the support of commercial skills and knowledge in order to thrive.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and The Big Idea are working together to secure long-term sustainable funding for the Creative Commercial Essentials programme.
FAQs and Contact
Please visit the FAQ page for additional information
If you have questions that aren’t answered on our website, please email us at: programmescoordinator@thebigidea.co.nz