About Ideas foundation
Ideas Foundation: Empowering Diversity in Creative Industries
Ideas Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the creative, tech, and communications industries. Founded in 2003, the organization has been working tirelessly to provide opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to break into these industries.
The creative industry is one of the most dynamic and exciting sectors of the economy. It encompasses a wide range of fields such as advertising, design, film, music, fashion, and more. However, despite its vibrancy and potential for growth, it has long been criticized for its lack of diversity. According to a report by Creative Equals (2018), only 12% of creative directors are women while just 4% are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Ideas Foundation recognizes this problem and seeks to address it by providing access to training programs that equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in these industries. The organization works with schools across the UK to identify talented students who may not have had access to traditional routes into these careers.
One of Ideas Foundation's flagship programs is called "I Am Creative". This program provides workshops on advertising briefs set by real clients such as Google or John Lewis. Students work together in teams under guidance from industry professionals who mentor them throughout their journey. The program culminates in an awards ceremony where finalists present their ideas before a panel of judges made up of industry leaders.
Another program offered by Ideas Foundation is called "Creative Media Camp". This residential camp brings together young people aged between 16-19 years old who have an interest in media production or journalism but may not have had any formal training or experience yet. During this week-long camp held at Ravensbourne University London students learn about video production techniques including camera operation; sound recording; lighting; editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro CC etc., scriptwriting skills as well as interviewing techniques which will help them develop their own media projects.
Ideas Foundation also offers a mentoring program that pairs young people with industry professionals who provide guidance and support as they navigate their way through the creative industries. This program is designed to help young people build networks, gain insights into the industry, and develop their skills.
The organization has been successful in its mission to promote diversity in the creative industries. In 2019, Ideas Foundation was awarded the "Diversity Champion" award at The Drum Awards for Marketing. The award recognized the organization's efforts to create opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds and its commitment to promoting inclusivity in these industries.
In conclusion, Ideas Foundation is an organization that is making a real difference in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the creative, tech, and communications industries. Its programs have helped many young people break into these fields who may not have had access otherwise. By providing training programs, mentoring opportunities, and networking events Ideas Foundation is empowering a new generation of creatives from diverse backgrounds who will shape the future of these dynamic sectors.