Where will this course lead?

Workshop Facilitation for Creative Practitioners is a nine-week, face-to-face Skills Bootcamp designed to help creative freelancers and practitioners across the West Midlands build workshop delivery into a confident, sustainable part of their portfolio careers. It also supports those considering a transition into education, community arts, training, and facilitation roles.

This Bootcamp is particularly relevant to the West Midlands creative sector, where portfolio careers are the norm and workshop delivery can provide both financial sustainability and valuable engagement opportunities. The programme strengthens your confidence, employability, and readiness to deliver impactful workshops across a range of professional contexts.

What will I study?

Creative and cultural organisations increasingly rely on freelance practitioners to deliver workshops, outreach programmes, and community engagement activities. While many creatives bring strong artistic and technical skills, they often begin facilitation roles without structured support or pedagogical grounding. This Bootcamp bridges that gap. It helps you translate your creative practice into engaging, inclusive, learner-centred workshops suitable for schools, FE/HE, community settings, cultural venues, and industry environments.

Over the nine weeks, you'll focus on practical design, testing, and delivery. You will develop and refine your own workshop through hands-on design labs, prototype activities, and facilitated practice sessions. The programme culminates in a peer micro-teach, where you will deliver part of your workshop and receive supportive feedback. All learners also receive a 30-minute one-to-one tutorial focusing on progression, portfolio development, and next steps.

You will leave with:

• A fully designed and ready-to-deliver workshop
• Increased confidence in planning and delivering creative learning
• Evidence for your portfolio
• A clearer sense of your progression opportunities

How will this course be delivered?

The programme is delivered by experienced tutors from the Creative and Adult Education teams, alongside guest practitioners who bring expertise in delivering freelance workshops, community engagement, and portfolio career development.

Session formats will include:

• Creative studio-based sessions
• Practical workshop design labs
• Peer micro-teaching opportunities
• Guest sessions from practising facilitators
• Supportive group discussions and reflection
• One-to-one tutorials

The bootcamp will be 8 weeks in duration. There will be a break over half-term.

The bootcamp will be delivered face-to-face at Blossomfield Campus, Solihull College & University Centre. Mondays and Tuesdays 10:00-16:00.

What qualifications will I get?

There is no formal qualification. You will receive a certificate of completion of the bootcamp.

How will I be assessed?

There is no formal assessment. Instead, you will:

• Deliver a peer micro-teach
• Receive tutor and peer feedback
• Complete reflective tasks
• Engage in one-to-one tutorial support
• Develop your own workshop concept and delivery plan

These activities build your confidence and provide practice-based evidence of your skills.

How do I get a place on the course?

Places are offered after a friendly initial advice and guidance via Microsoft Teams. We will discuss your experience, creative practice, and ambitions.

Limited spaces available. Applications now open. Apply now to register interest.

What are the entry requirements?

Open to anyone with a passion and drive to work delivering engaging, inclusive, learner-centred workshops.

To qualify for this FREE* course, you must be over 19 years of age and live in the West Midlands Combined Authority area postcode (Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton).

Applicants for the Bootcamp may come from a diverse range of backgrounds and motivations, including:

• Creative freelancers wanting to diversify their income
• Creatives exploring or transitioning into education and facilitation
• Career changers with an established creative practice
• Practitioners interested in community arts, outreach, or cultural learning
• Artists, makers, performers, and designers wanting to develop facilitation as part of their portfolio careers

What else do I need to know?

Our creative Bootcamps consistently achieve strong progression into employment, freelance work, and further study. We have been recognised nationally for employer engagement and for our ability to align training with industry needs.

During this Bootcamp, you will benefit from:

• Experienced, supportive tutors
• A collaborative creative community
• Access to industry professionals and networks
• Hands-on learning and real-world practice opportunities
• Guidance before, during, and after the programme

Learners also gain access to a thriving alumni network and legacy events. Our graduates have gone on to deliver paid workshops, form collectives, secure funding, and expand the commercial value of their creative practice. We are committed to supporting your progression, not just during the Bootcamp, but throughout your ongoing creative journey within the West Midlands.

Schedule

Bootcamp Start Date: 27th April 2026

Completion Date: 30th June 2026

Ongoing Support Ends: 1st July 2027

What can I do after this course?

This Bootcamp is designed to support real, meaningful progression. After completing the programme, learners typically move into:

• Paid freelance workshop delivery
• Education, community arts, or cultural learning roles
• Commissions or contracts with cultural and community organisations
• Further training, development, or mentorship
• Expanded or more sustainable portfolio careers