If you are a creative in Kenya, read this.
Jude Clark hosts ”Creative Sessions” at the Alchemist on a weekly basis for those who want to get ahead in the creative industry. It’s about peer-to-peer learning, networking and even a beer, if you wish.
With Jude Clark, Joose Digital:
So back in August I did a free workshop on digital alchemy for creatives at the Alchemist bar and it had a big turnout. I sat with Peng Chen (of The Alchemist Bar) afterwards and he had this flash of inspiration from a B movie he had been watching where students unhappy with their university decided to tutor themselves; we put our heads together and came up with some of our own alchemy.
The thinking behind the sessions is that there is enough knowledge in the sector, the celebrities, movers and shakers in the creative industry have figured out ways to survive and thrive in our challenging sector – what if – we can get these people to come and share with other creatives still trying to make it? It was a zero budget long shot! Would the people at the top of their game be interested in sharing their knowledge of how they did it, would creatives be committed enough to come and listen, learn and share? Would it work at all?
Well we are one month in, with two or three sessions per week and there have been two wonderful surprises. A wide range of celebrities and industry guru’s have not only said yes to hosting sessions, but delivered in the most amazing honest and useful ways, as well. And secondly, creatives from all sectors have turned up and asked great questions. From the feedback we’ve been getting, they have gone away with really useful information to help in their careers.
So far we’ve had Monique Kabuye, Jack Rooster, Blinky Bill, Nameless, June Gachui, Makadem, Eric Musyoka, Gilad, Buddha Blaze and Abdi Rashid Jibril, brought along some of his international artists who were playing at Cool Waters Jazz and Roots Festival.
Everyone has probably got something different from these sessions, but some of the inspiring takeaways, were how many of the big players, started off on nothing and earning nothing, the same struggle that many creatives face today. There’s been an unpicking of some of the issues in the industry, putting real information in its place. What has been most surprising is how much our guest hosts seem to have enjoyed and valued the experience – most have stayed around and chatted, making new connections with the up and coming names in the sector. One guy even came up after the last session with Blinky Bill, so excited and thankful to have gotten Blinky’s email because he’d been following his radio show for a while and wanted to send him some music.
Our focus for September was more on the music sector but we’re broadening our reach later in October to the wider creative areas. We have Paul Ogola (Sense8 actor) and David Sanders (ex-Coke studio TV production) already locked in.
The next Creative Session at the Alchemist is 20 October. Don’t miss it.
For more information contact Jude. Jude.Clark@Gmail.com
