Where to find Jobs and Opportunities

Breaking into the creative industries can feel like navigating a maze where it’s a struggle to even find the entrance. There are plenty of opportunity out there, but knowing where to find them is a challenge. Here’s a few of our recommended platforms dedicated to helping creatives find meaningful work, internships, freelance gigs, and career resources in the arts and creative sectors.

Arts Jobs

Run by Arts Council England, this platform is a staple for anyone seeking roles in the UK’s arts and culture sector. From theatre and dance to museums and visual arts, Arts Jobs offers opportunities at all levels. It’s especially valuable for early-career artists and administrators.

Creative Access

With a mission to support under-represented talent, Creative Access partners with major employers to offer inclusive internships and roles in media, publishing, and the arts. The platform also provides mentoring, masterclasses, and career development tools.

Mandy

Aimed at performers, production crew, and voiceover artists, Mandy connects creatives with casting calls, film jobs, and theatre gigs worldwide. You can create a profile, upload reels, and apply directly to roles in acting, film, TV, and more.

Spotlight

Spotlight is the leading casting platform in the UK, used by casting directors in film, TV, theatre, and commercials. Actors can create profiles, be scouted by agents, and apply directly for professional roles. A must-have for any performer aiming to work at a professional level.

Spotlight requires either formal training or 2 professional credits (find out more here). Book a chat for more advice on how to get started with this.

If You Could Jobs

This platform offers roles across the creative sector, along with discussions about current topics and conversations around the creative working world in the site’s Journal.

OpenHire

A platform aimed at freelance work, focused on transparency and equity, OpenHire encourages inclusive hiring practices in the arts and cultural sectors.

Arts Marketing Association (AMA)

AMA is a go-to hub for professionals in arts marketing, audience development, and digital engagement. Alongside their career development opportunities, their job board highlights specialist marketing roles at arts venues, festivals, and cultural institutions across the UK.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is essential for professional networking and job hunting. Follow creative agencies, arts organisations, and people doing your dream role (and ask them for a Zoom call to learn more). Post about your portfolio and recent achievements to build a presence.

ERIC App

ERIC is tailored for Gen Z creatives and entry-level talent. The app offers creative career advice, industry events, job alerts, and internship opportunities in media, fashion, design, and more. It’s ideal for those just getting started.

Guardian Jobs – Arts & Heritage

The Guardian’s job section is known for high-quality listings in journalism, education, and arts. Their Arts & Heritage section often features roles in public engagement, curation, fundraising, and arts education.

Indeed

While it’s not niche-specific, Indeed hosts a wealth of creative jobs if you refine your search terms. Use filters like “creative director,” “copywriter,” or “arts administration” to dig into listings across sectors and locations.

Arts Professional

Part of ArtsProfessional, Culture Jobs is a UK-focused platform highlighting a range of roles across different cultural organisations. Sign up for a weekly newsletter of jobs and opportunities

The Dots

A professional networking platform for creatives that features job listings, portfolio showcases, and collaboration opportunities.

Stage 32

Stage 32 works with over 2,000 industry executives and has been recognized by Forbes magazine as the leading source for educating film, television and new media creatives through our Next Level webinars, classes and labs.

Design Jobs Board

A platform focused on UK-based jobs in graphic, UX, and product design.

Arts Emergency

Arts Emergency is an award-winning mentoring charity and support network. We work long-term with under-resourced young people in London, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Musical Theatre Network (MTN) & Mercury Musical Developments (MMD)

If you’re a writer, composer, lyricist, or producer working in musical theatre, MTN and MMD are fantastic places to start. They run showcases, labs and networking events to help new musicals get seen and supported. Membership gives access to mentoring, feedback and the BEAM Festival – a major platform for new British musicals.

BFI (British Film Institute)

The BFI supports the UK’s film and screen industries with funding, training and career development. From production grants and short film schemes to major talent programmes, it’s a go-to hub for anyone interested in film, TV or digital storytelling.

ScreenSkills

ScreenSkills helps people get into and progress within the UK’s screen industries. They offer practical training, bursaries and schemes like Trainee Finder – connecting emerging talent with real productions across film, TV and animation.

The Stage

A long-running theatre publication, The Stage is one of the best places to find performing arts jobs, auditions and industry news. Their jobs board and newsletter are must-reads for actors, stage managers and backstage professionals alike.

Help Musicians UK

A charity dedicated to supporting musicians across genres, Help Musicians offers grants, mentoring and advice to help you record, release and develop your music. Ideal for early-career artists and those funding creative projects.

Youth Music

Youth Music funds and champions projects that give young people access to making and learning music. They support organisations and individuals working with children and young people in creative and inclusive ways.

PRS Foundation

The PRS Foundation funds new music and helps artists grow their careers. Through open grants and partnership schemes, they support recording, touring and collaborative projects across all genres.

Arts Council England – Project Grants

ACE’s National Lottery Project Grants support creative ideas from individuals and organisations. Whether you’re planning a new show, exhibition or community arts project, this is one of the UK’s key funding routes.

Arts Council England – Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP)

DYCP offers individual artists and creatives funding to take time out for research, training or experimentation. It’s designed to help you grow professionally and develop your next big idea.

UnLtd

If your creative project also has a social mission, UnLtd could be the perfect fit. They support social entrepreneurs with funding, mentoring and advice to help turn community-focused ideas into reality.

Get Into Theatre

Get Into Theatre is a UK-wide platform dedicated to helping people launch careers in theatre. It offers job and training listings, industry profiles, interviews, funding and apprenticeship opportunities, all tailored to the theatre ecosystem. With a strong focus on helping you “Get Training”, “Get Experience” and “Get Funding”, it’s a go-to resource for anyone looking for creative work behind-the-scenes, on stage or in technical roles.

National Centre for Writing

The National Centre for Writing (NCW) is based in Norwich and champions contemporary writing, literary translation and creative practice. It runs mentoring schemes, residencies, training and other opportunities for writers and translators at all stages. Perfect for creatives exploring writing, publishing, or literary careers.

Creative Mentor Network

Creative Mentor Network supports 16- to 25-year-olds from lower socio-economic backgrounds to develop creative industry careers through mentoring, training, job listings and networking. Partnering with major creative brands, CMN offers valuable connections and guidance to help young people access jobs and internships across the creative sector.

I Like Networking

I Like Networking (ILN) is a career platform and community that champions women and non-binary professionals in the creative industries. Through mentoring programmes, career development resources, events and a vibrant online network, ILN helps creatives build confidence, expand their professional connections, and discover new job and collaboration opportunities.

Creative Lives in Progress

Creative Lives in Progress is a UK-based resource and community for emerging creative professionals. It curates opportunities (jobs, internships, events) as well as career-guidance content designed to help creatives access, understand and connect with the industry. A must-visit if you’re looking for work, advice and inspiration in design, media, or the arts.

TheatreCraft

TheatreCraft is the UK’s largest free careers event for young people interested in theatre, but not necessarily in acting. It showcases a huge range of backstage, technical, and offstage roles, from lighting design to producing, costume, and marketing. The annual event includes workshops, talks, and networking opportunities with leading industry professionals, making it an essential stop for anyone exploring a creative career in theatre production and beyond.

Opportunity Tuesday

A weekly Substack newsletter curated to share job listings, calls for artists, funding, and various creative-sector opportunities. A handy digest to keep up with new roles across the arts and creative industries.

Young Arts Fundraisers (YAF)

A peer-led professional network for early-career fundraisers in the arts sector. They run a year-round programme of events (workshops, Q&As, speed mentoring) and an annual “Evolve” mentoring scheme for those in their first 5 years of fundraising.

Artsadmin Anchor

A weekly digest that shares curated listings on funding, commissions, jobs, open calls, workshops, courses, and more. Their Anchor Directory is also a searchable contact hub (organisations, funders, studio spaces, etc.).

The creative industries are full of vibrant, diverse opportunities, if you know where to look. Whether you’re seeking your first design internship or a career on stage, these platforms offer access to the tools and opportunities to help you thrive.

Don’t forget: the creative job search is also about community. Engage with these platforms, attend events, join networks, and keep your portfolio up to date. The right opportunity could be just a click away.

Book a Chat & Get Advice and Support

Looking for new opportunities, need support with a personal project, or just after some advice?

Book a short, informal chat with the RicNic team to get unstuck, ask questions, and explore your next steps. We support people at all stages, offering guidance on career planning, freelancing, opportunity-hunting, CV reviews, and more.

“I left the session feeling both inspired and much clearer about how to move forward”

Our team brings broad experience from across the creative sector, alongside a wide network of industry professionals who are happy to offer mentoring, shadowing, or a useful chat. We’ll help point you towards relevant opportunities and, using proven coaching techniques, support you to clarify your goals and leave with clear, practical next steps.

“It was reassuring and exciting to see how my long-term ambitions can be approached strategically rather than feeling overwhelming.”

From 2026, sessions will cost £10 for a 30–45 minute chat, including follow-up resources and signposting. This helps us cover our costs, but we don’t want payment to be a barrier to access.

Sessions are free for:

• Anyone for whom the cost would be a barrier
• Anyone based in Walsall, Burton upon Trent, or surrounding areas
• Anyone aged under 18

Chats are subject to staffing availability and capacity, with a limited quota per month.

Freelance vs. Employed: What It’s Really Like Working in the UK Creative Industries

If you’re starting a creative career in the UK—whether in design, media, art, or marketing—you’ve probably heard the word freelance thrown around a lot. But what does being freelance actually mean, and how does it compare to being employed?

Let’s break it down.

What Does “Freelance” Mean?

Freelancing means you’re self-employed. You don’t work for one employer full-time; instead, you work with multiple clients or companies, often on short-term contracts or one-off projects.

Freelancers in the creative industries might be:

• Graphic designers taking on branding projects
• Photographers shooting events or campaigns
• Writers creating content for websites or magazines
• Filmmakers editing videos for businesses or artists
• Producers working on one event for a short period

You manage your own time, workload, and income—and you’re responsible for your own taxes (through HMRC’s Self Assessment). Rather than a set place of employment (like a shop or office), you might work from home, co-working spaces, cafes, or on the go, and

The Pros of Freelancing

• Flexibility – Choose when, where, and how you work.
• Variety – Work on different types of projects with a range of clients.
• Creative freedom – More control over the kind of work you take on.
• Potential to earn more – If you’re in demand, you can set your rates and grow your income.

The Cons of Freelancing

• No guaranteed income – Work can be irregular, especially when starting out.
• No employment benefits – No sick pay, holiday pay, or pension unless you set them up yourself.
• You’re your own boss – Which means handling contracts, invoices, taxes, and finding your own work.
• Can be isolating – You often work alone, without a team environment.

Taxes and Income

Being freelance means you can set your own rates for your work; hourly, daily, or per project. As your experience increases, so can your rates; however many freelancers fall into the trap of setting their initial rates too low when starting out and undervaluing their work. Freelancing does, however, mean that income can vary month to month depending on workload. You’ll often invoice clients after completing the work, and then wait to be paid (unto 30 days).

Being employed usually means you work permanently or on a fixed-term contract for one company. You typically get:

• A regular salary
• Paid holidays and sick leave
• Pension contributions
• A more structured routine and defined role
• Support from managers and colleagues

In employment, tax is deducted before the money reaches your bank account by your employer, and you don’t have to worry about this. Being freelance, however, this is your responsibility through a yearly ‘self assessment‘. You can offset expenses against your income though, such as travel and office expenses relating to your work. You won’t have holiday pay, but can pick and choose your own schedule to suit your needs, and you won’t be restricted to somebody else’s schedule.

Which Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some creatives thrive on the freedom of freelancing, while others prefer the security of employment. Many people even do both—working a part-time job while freelancing on the side.

If you’re starting out, try both to see what suits your lifestyle, goals, and personality.

The UK’s creative industries are full of freelance opportunities, especially in design, media, marketing, and the arts. But freelancing requires hustle, organisation, and resilience. Whether you choose the freelance path, traditional employment, or a mix of both—it’s about finding the right fit for you.

Talk To Us

Interested in finding out more or have questions? Book a chat with us and we can help.

Find Creative Career Opportunities with the ERIC App

Breaking into the creative industry can be tough—but the ERIC app makes it easier.

ERIC is a free app designed to help young creatives discover job opportunities, internships, events, and resources tailored to the creative world. ERIC breaks the creative industries into 16 different subcategories, and tailors opportunities to you based on your location, interests, age, and more; providing a curated feed of local opportunities to help you to get your foot in the door.

Why Use ERIC?

• Creative Job Listings – From design to film, ERIC curates internships, freelance gigs, and entry-level roles just for creatives.
• Learning Resources – Get tips on CVs, portfolios, and navigating creative careers.
• Events & Workshops – Find talks, workshops, and networking events to build skills and connections.
• Career Discovery Tools – Not sure what role fits you? ERIC helps you explore and decide.

Whether you’re a student, graduate, or early-career creative, ERIC is your go-to platform for turning passion into a profession.

Find out more and get the app at www.meet-eric.com

RicNic are delighted to be an ERIC Ambassador