The Culture Quarter Programme (CQP) is a partnership of arts and cultural organisations based in Central London including English National Opera, Exhibition Road Cultural Group, The Hospital Club, the National Portrait Gallery, New Deal of the Mind, Royal Opera House, Somerset House, St Martin-in-the-Fields and the V&A Museum.
Between March 2010 and end of September 2011, the CQP partner employers offered 105 young people, who were formerly unemployed, the chance to gain six months paid work and training at their organisations in a range of ‘backstage’ roles. The functions covered included Arts Administration, Visitor Services, Box Office, Retail, Information Technology/Web and Conservation/Collections.
The Programme was unique in the way that it offered a range of structured training within each job, aimed at giving each participant an insight into the creative and cultural world, equipping them to embark on a successful career within the arts sector. The training included a personal development programme and a series of master classes led by experts from the creative sector. Participants also studied for an NVQ qualification relevant to their chosen area of work.
To date, nearly three quarters of those who took part in the programme have gone onto further work or training as a result of their CQP placement.
An independent review of the programme was published in July 2011, this can be downloaded here: CQP Project Review
The Culture Quarter Programme was made possible by an award from the government’s Future Jobs Fund. To be eligible to take part, applicants had to be aged 18 to 24 and claiming JobSeeker’s Allowance for six months or more.
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