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- Tasks: Join a supportive residency for Black designers and makers, working on your creative projects.
- Company: Makerversity, a community-focused organisation in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24/7 workspace access and a monthly grant of £100 for personal or project support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the creative industry while gaining valuable resources and support.
- Qualifications: Open to Black designers, makers, and creatives with a passion for innovation.
- Other info: Contribute feedback to help shape future opportunities and ensure ongoing support.
Makerversity is launching the Black Designers and Makers Residency, a programme designed to offer long-term support, space and resources to Black designers, makers, creatives and innovators.
You will receive:
- Full-time 24/7 Hot-Desking membership for 12 months.
- A Grant of £100 per month for 12 months. This can be used to support any project, creative endeavour or go towards your personal living costs. It will be paid directly to you at the beginning of each month.
In return, we ask that you use Makerversity as your main workspace for at least 4 days per month. This helps ensure the opportunity is being actively used. If you’re unable to meet this minimum, please update us; the grant will end the following month as we’ll reallocate the membership to another individual.
We’ll also ask you to contribute:
- 1 hour at the end of the programme.
- 30 minutes every three months.
This is simply to help us understand whether it’s useful to you. Checking in every 3 months to make sure we’re offering the right support and that you’re continuing to use the membership. Then at the end of the 12 months for an evaluation for any feedback.
Our goal is to make this free membership a permanent part of Makerversity’s offer and to open it up to applications and referrals going forward.
Why are we doing this? We are based in London and in our neighbouring local boroughs Black people make up 7-30% of the population. Yet as a membership organisation, we have few Black members. We feel that our membership community should strive to reflect the demographics of our City, so we feel we can do better than we do now.
Therefore, we have looked at the barriers to entry that exist for Black members to join and we have identified two areas we can work on:
- Financial & racial inequities mean that in London if you come from a Black family, on average, you are less likely to be able to afford a membership with us.
- There are fewer Black people doing University level study in the STEM, Art and Design subjects which our members tend to be drawn from.
Racial inequalities in employment and wealth persist in the UK. Between 2014 and 2022, people aged 25–29 from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds were twice as likely to be unemployed compared to their White British peers, regardless of economic status (GOV.UK). The Runnymede Trust’s Colour of Money report (2020) highlighted the scale of racialised wealth disparities. Drawing on the Wealth and Assets Survey, the report revealed that for every £1 of wealth held by White British households, Black African households owned just 10p.
In 2023, only 8% of the UK’s STEM workforce came from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with unemployment rates for graduates (BA and MA) in these communities twice as high. Representation in tech is even lower: only 4% of the UK’s tech workforce identifies as Black, and Black women make up just 0.7% of the IT workforce.
These figures underscore the urgent need to address barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented communities in STEM and tech.
Black Makers and Designers Residency 2026 in London employer: Creative Lives in Progress
Contact Detail:
Creative Lives in Progress Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Black Makers and Designers Residency 2026 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other creatives, attend events, and join online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream residency.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your work! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and showcases your unique style. Make sure it’s easy to access and share, so potential collaborators can see what you’re all about.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you. Reach out to Makerversity and express your interest in the residency. Ask questions, get involved, and show them you’re eager to be part of the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it real! When you apply, be authentic and let your personality shine through. Share your story, your struggles, and your aspirations. We want to see the real you, so don’t hold back!
We think you need these skills to ace Black Makers and Designers Residency 2026 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and perspectives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Black Designers and Makers Residency. Highlight how your background and projects align with our mission at Makerversity. This shows us that you’re genuinely interested!
Show Your Passion: We love seeing enthusiasm! In your application, express why this residency excites you and how it can help you grow as a designer or maker. Your passion can really make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of all applications and ensures you’re considered for this amazing opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Creative Lives in Progress
✨Know Your Worth
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your skills and experiences. Understand how they align with the goals of the Black Designers and Makers Residency. This will help you articulate your value and show how you can contribute to Makerversity's mission.
✨Showcase Your Passion
Be ready to discuss your creative projects and what drives you as a designer or maker. Share your vision and how the residency can help you achieve it. This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and how it fits into your long-term goals.
✨Engage with the Community
Familiarise yourself with Makerversity and its community. Mention any events, workshops, or initiatives that resonate with you during the interview. This shows that you’re not just interested in the grant but are genuinely invested in being an active member of the community.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have a few questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the support available during the residency or how feedback is integrated into the programme. This demonstrates your commitment to making the most of the opportunity and your desire to engage with the organisation.
