Guest week: Creative Connections
A Scarborough symposium, no less – with ARCADE's Sophie Drury-Bradey
‘Guest week’ is all about meeting interesting new creative people, and in tribute to that, this Monday (11th) I am heading to the Creative Connections symposium at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre. You too can go, if you’re vaguely local and creative – it’s going to be great! For the full details, head here, but in brief:
‘Creative Connections’ is a one-day symposium for creative people, featuring industry speakers, practical workshops, taster sessions and accessible networking. A day of connection, inspiration and learning in a relaxed and inclusive environment. All are welcome!
This one-day symposium is aimed at creative people at any point in their career; whether a hobbyist wanting to start selling their work, a new graduate, a part-time professional or an established artist. It will also appeal to those in creative roles in the arts sector.
The symposium – I will never get tired of that word – has been organised by the magnificent arts charity ARCADE, so this week I spoke to the charity’s Co-Artistic Director & CEO Sophie Drury-Bradey about how ‘Creative Connections’ came to be, and what it’s like to live and work in Scarborough.
JM: Hello Sophie! For the uninitiated, what is ARCADE, why did you start it, and why here?
SDB: ARCADE is a charity that supports communities to get involved in art and creativity. We are based in Scarborough and Bridlington, but work in lots of different places.
I always wanted to work where I live – it was important to me as I wanted the creative projects I produced to serve my own community, plus with young kids I didn't want to be commuting away to Leeds or Manchester. I met Rach Drew who felt the same, for her own reasons, and together we founded and launched ARCADE in 2020, despite lockdown!
What about Valley Press, how did that come to be Scarborough-based?
JM: I fell in love with Scarborough when I first stepped off the train, as a visitor, aged 13; then raced back at 18 to study here. At 22, when I realised I was going to be self-employed (for eternity!), I didn’t consider basing my new company anywhere else. The press is named after Scarborough’s Valley Road, and no other valley will do.
I'm not sure what it is exactly about Scarborough; I have stood on many other beaches and clifftops, but none of them have given me the same feeling. It just feels like home, and always has.
Of course, like me, you are an ‘honorary’ northerner (so – whisper it – a southerner). What brought you to Scarborough to begin with, and why do you think other creatives might choose to come and work here?
SDB: My husband Paul grew up nearby, in South Ferriby near Hull, so he had fond memories of coming on holiday to Scarborough as a child – I think this is something that motivates quite a lot of people to move to Scarborough, actually.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset, before moving to London for university and after that, working at Battersea Arts Centre for quite a few years. Paul and I had a little boy, Wallace, and we were squashed up in a one-bed flat in east London – so when we had a chance to move to Scarborough, live by the sea and have more room and freedom, we took it!
I know other creatives and artists who, quite frankly, are priced out of living in London and other cities, so I think Scarborough offers an affordable place to live –which gives people the time to develop their practice and actually make their art! There’s quite a big community of creatives for the size of the town, and a feeling that things are possible; it’s a great place to move to.
JM: I agree, absolutely – Scarborough is on the up!
One of the few negatives of running a business here is the distance to the more metropolitan centres of culture, such as the two you mentioned in your first answer. I can’t ‘pop in’ to any of the North’s wonderful independent bookshops, or have a casual in-person meeting with a media outlet, without sacrificing pretty much an entire working day. Do you experience similar issues, and if so, how do you compensate?
SDB: Yes, our poor transport links can hold our town back, and I think it is easy to feel defeated or lonely sometimes. One of the driving reasons why Rach and I wanted to set up ARCADE was to support creatives in our area to feel that they could stay here and make incredible creative things happen – not that they had to move to a city to be an artist.
On Monday 11th November, we are running Creative Connections in partnership with the Stephen Joseph Theatre – a day aimed at inspiring and supporting creative freelancers on the coast. We want to bring together the wonderful people who are here to celebrate, inspire and support them.
JM: Could you tell us more about the day, and what it offers for local creatives – many of whom may be reading this?
SDB: Creative Connections is a chance to make space for yourself, your work, your ambitions and practice in a friendly, informal inclusive space. A day to meet others, hear new ideas, consider different perspectives, dream big and learn something new.
It includes a keynote panel addressing the distinct challenges of working in North Yorkshire and along the coast; a selection of workshops you can choose from including branding, fundraising, project management and more; creative panels with experienced speakers on music, theatre and visual arts; plus hands-on creative workshops from top-notch creatives. There will be a chill-out space and dedicated working space for anyone who wants to dip out at any point in the day. We’ll conclude with a friendly and inclusive networking session. Tickets are £25, which includes coffee/tea and a delicious catered lunch by Eat Me Cafe & Social.
JM: My tastebuds are revving up already! I love all the effort you’ve put into ensuring access, too; that attendees can head to a resting space and borrow ear defenders, for example. I hope that encourages people who find networking some way out of their comfort zone (myself among them) to give it a chance.
One place ear defenders are very much called for is our amusement arcades, which I am guessing your charity is named after. Was that a conscious attempt at embracing/reclaiming one of the less refined/sophisticated parts of Scarborough and Bridlington, bringing the idea of an ‘arcade’ back under the cultural umbrella? Or do you see yourselves as offering a sort of ‘alternative’ arcade?
SDB: Yes, all of those things! Back when ARCADE was just an idea, Rach and I used to have our meetings on a particular bench on the seafront, overlooking the sea on South Bay. It was right by the arcades and looking back I think we were (and continue to be) influenced by a sense of place. We wanted to nod to our town’s seaside resort heritage which is such a big part of the town – but also make it cool.
JM: Any organisation attempting to make Scarborough cool has my full unwavering support. I myself have worked tirelessly to increase the levels of cool in this area for almost two decades now… but I think my son would agree there’s much still to do, particularly in the very localised area where I personally happen to be standing.
Speaking of which – would you encourage your children (or mine) to work in the creative sector?
SDB: Yes I would, although it can be a precarious industry, especially if you are a performer or musician who relies on casting opportunities. However, there are so many other roles out there, from film to TV, to radio, to games design, to music – and more. It is a huge industry globally and I think we often don’t give the creative industries enough credit for that.
I’m sad that the arts are being stripped out of schools, and it is harder and harder for working-class young people to get a foot in the door. That’s one of the reasons we run a youth theatre in Bridlington and a programme of creativity at Scarborough Pupil Referral Unit. So, I’d like to think that my children would be inspired by what I do, although right now they just want to be footballers!
JM: If they stay in Scarborough – for football, art, or both – what’s your dream about what the town might look like in ten years’ time? What do we need? What’s possible?
SDB: The next ten years... I’d like to see Scarborough become a more dynamic place where you can easily access contemporary cultural experiences, as well as day-to-day creative activities. I’d like to see creativity in our schools and health services, and public art all over the town!
We had to end it there, to have half a hope of this blog going out on time – so I didn’t get a chance to ask Sophie what it was like working with Kate Tempest on Brand New Ancients during her time in Battersea (and I bet there are even more Kate fans than Yorkshire coast creatives subscribed to this blog!) I’ll have to invite her back, next time there’s an excuse to chat about the Scarborough creative scene.
Anyway, huge thanks to you for reading, to Sophie for taking part, and to ARCADE for organising the symposium – having an excuse to say that word so many times has brightened my week by itself. Perhaps I’ll see some of you there?
Coming up next on ‘Guest week’: Valley Press authors. Lots of them!