Diversify, Learn, Create

A professional skills development & mentoring project for underrepresented young artists looking to enter the music industry

Get in on it!

About the Project

It's widely acknowledged that it's tough for young people to enter the music industry, and many young people face additional barriers due to their gender, race and background. Diversify, Learn, Create is a new initiative from Small Pond to provide young artists aged 16-25 the skills and knowledge to start a career in the music industry. We aim to provide you with a sustainable pathway into a career in the arts through tailored mentoring, workshops, rehearsal space, a free demo recording & industry networking.

Who Can Apply?

Bands and artists aged 16-25 in Brighton & Hove, Crawley, Portsmouth, and the surrounding areas can apply now.

Just fill in our short application form below.

Apply Now!

What you can expect

Use of our professional rehearsal spaces
Individual & group mentoring tailored to your needs & career goals
Workshops covering all aspects of working in the music industry, including mixing & mastering, marketing & social media strategy, funding for musicians, festival organisation & live events management case studies
Pre-production support & professional quality recording of a demo track for 10 selected artists / bands
Feedback & networking opportunities from industry professionals
Support for those with access needs

Three phases

PHASE 1

ALL PARTICPANTS will access rehearsal facilities & guidance over a 10-month period, with the chance to develop their musicianship in a professional rehearsal & recording studio environment. Our Advisory Board will review all participants & select those showing the greatest potential to progress to Phases 2 & 3.

PHASE 2

40 PARTICIPANTS will attend 10 monthly workshops, facilitated by highly experienced industry professionals, designed to give a comprehensive package of skills & knowledge. You'll be taken through real-world examples & will learn to replicate these processes, building skills, knowledge & contacts which will improve your chances of succeeding in the music industry.

PHASE 3

10 BANDS / ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE

4 x 45 minute individual mentoring sessions with music professionals to help develop your skills & confidence & provide career guidance to help achieve your aspirations.
2 x 1-hour pre-production sessions in our professional studios.
Access to individual & group rehearsal space to prepare for recording.
6 days in the Small Pond studio to record, mix & master a demo track.
Demo reviewed by an independent industry professional panel with in-person & written feedback.
Networking with industry professionals in the studio, gaining real-world knowledge & experience & opportunities to ask questions.

Guidance, networking and resources

You'll join our network of musicians, producers, artists and creatives and receive access to further learning opportunities and work experience.

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Your Details

Please provide some information about you

First Name*

Last Name*

Your Age*

Please enter a number from 16 to 25.

Your Email Address*

Your Contact Number*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City County Post Code

How would you prefer to be contacted? (select all that apply)*

Phone

Post

Emergency Contact Details

Please provide details of your designated emergency contact.

First Name*

Last Name*

Relation*

Band / Artist Details

We want to know more about your music! Tell us about your bands or music projects and what you're looking to get out of this initiative.

Artist / Band Name*

Number of Band Members*

Please enter a number from 1 to 10.

Social Media Link 1

Social Media Link 2

Link to Music

If your music is available online please provide a link to listen (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Soundcloud). These can be demos or finished tracks

Upload a Track / Demo

Alternatively, you can upload tracks for us to listen to here

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: mp3, wav, Max. file size: 5 MB.

Tell us about you and your music, including any highlights to date*

What are your aims and ambitions as a band / artist?*

Do you have any accessibility requirements that you would like to make us aware of?*

Prove your Humanity!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.