anam creative: industry collective

funded by

in partnership with

and others

***APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED***

industry collective is a ten-month project for four young creatives aged 18–25 (or up to 30 if d/Deaf, neurodivergent or Disabled) to gain hands-on experience in running an independent record label. 

Working as a team, participants will collaborate to design and launch a real-world music release for an artist of their choice. 

Through mentorship, workshops, and collaborative working time, participants will build knowledge across the full release cycle—from artist selection to promo and distribution—supported by industry professionals and the anam creative core team.

Participants will receive a £1,680 bursary to support their contribution to the project.

Guidance is below, click here for a PDF Version.

Background

This project is funded through Youth Music’s new Industry Connect Fund, a new national network bringing together grassroots organisations and young creatives from across the UK. It was created to tackle longstanding issues in the music industry—like lack of access, unsafe working conditions, and underrepresentation—by encouraging collaboration, sharing knowledge, and amplifying youth voice in policy and practice.

Shout out to Youth Music for all of their hard work!

About

industry collective is a ten-month project for four young creatives aged 18–25 (or up to 30 if d/Deaf, neurodivergent or Disabled) to gain hands-on experience in running an independent record label. Working as a team, participants will collaborate to design and launch a real-world music release for a Glasgow-based artist of their choice. Through mentorship, workshops, and collaborative working time, participants will build knowledge across the full release cycle—from artist selection to promo and distribution—supported by industry professionals and the anam creative core team. Participants will receive a £1,680 bursary to support their contribution to the project.

How It Works

Learning

Throughout the project, participants will meet and learn from a range of professionals running and working in independent record labels across genres and at different stages of development. 

Sessions will cover key areas such as branding, distribution, artist liaison, event planning, administration, and sustainable label models.

Partners include: Helena Stanton (Warp Records), Johnny Lynch (Lost Map), Conna Haraway (Index/Co:Clear), Tim Dalzell (Somewhere Press), Emily Hill (Rhythm Section & On Loop), Ashlynn White and Madeyln Byrd (Gravity Pleasure), and members of No Soap.

Action

Participants will collaboratively build their label from the ground up—choosing a name, visual identity, and distribution strategy. 

Together, they’ll write and promote an open call for an artist to join their label. The selected artist’s EP will be professionally mixed and mastered, funded by Youth Music. The group and the artist will co-design the visual aesthetic, plan a launch event, and manage the release with a budget of £2,000.

Participants will apply the skills learned from workshops and mentorship sessions to support the artist while positioning their label within the wider music scene.

Reflection

Participants will meet fortnightly on Tuesdays at the Wonderfools office space in South Block in Glasgow to reflect on progress, discuss learning, and receive guidance from our core team. 

These sessions will support skill-building, collaborative working, and individual development in a safe, peer-led environment. 

Wonderfools office is based in South Block and has lift access, handrails on stairs and disabled toilets. If you have any questions about accessibility please get in touch at info@anamcreative.com.

Commitments

Participants must attend all scheduled sessions and give notice in advance if unable to join in person so alternative arrangements can be made.

Engagement and reliability are essential. Persistent absence or lack of participation may result in removal from the project to ensure a supportive experience for the other participants involved. 

There will be activities outside of the scheduled fortnightly meetings so we expect some flexibility from participants so that everyone can get the most out of the project.

Coalition

As a funded partner of Youth Music, anam is part of the Industry Connect Coalition—a national network of grassroots organisations, creatives, and partners working together to make the music industry safer, fairer, and more inclusive. This coalition offers opportunities to share ideas, meet like-minded peers across the UK, and take part in conversations that help influence real change. 

Participants will be able to attend national events and help represent the voices and needs of emerging creatives, making sure their lived experiences are at the heart of the future music industry. Specific locations are yet to be confirmed but are likely to be in England, we have a small travel and accommodation budget to support this. If you have any accessibility worries or questions then please get in touch and we can discuss. Some of the meetings will be held online.

Bursary

Each participant will receive a £1,680 bursary, supporting them to engage with the project, including attendance at group sessions, time for autonomous working, and travel.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to people who:

  • Are aged 18–25 (or up to 30 if you identify as d/Deaf, neurodivergent or Disabled)

  • Are based in Glasgow

  • Are not currently in education

  • Identify as underrepresented in the music industries

We particularly encourage applications from people who are:

  • Women

  • Black, Asian or from other racialised communities

  • Disabled and/or neurodivergent

  • From low-income or working-class backgrounds

  • Trans and/or non-binary

  • Non-graduates

You do not need to have previous experience working in the music industry—just curiosity, reliability, and an interest in learning and collaborating.

How to Apply

You can apply in written, audio, or video format.

Your application should answer the following questions in a short, informal statement of interest, no more than one side of A4 page or no longer than 3 mins if audio or video format:

  1. What excites you about this project? (approx. 150 words)

  2. What would you like to learn? (approx. 150 words)

  3. What is your experience in collaborative working? (approx. 100 words)

  4. What roles are you most interested in and why? (approx. 50 words)

  5. What barriers have you faced when pursuing music opportunities?  (approx. 50 words)

  6. What would you like to bring to the coalition? (approx. 50 words)

  7. Anything else you'd like to share?

You must confirm that you:

  • Are based in Glasgow

  • Are aged 18–25 (or up to 30 if d/Deaf, neurodivergent or Disabled)

Send applications to info@anamcreative.com with the subject: industry collective application 

Dates

The project will run from the 1st July 2025 to the 1st of April 2026 , with a two-week break over the winter holidays.

Reflection sessions will take place every second Tuesday throughout the project. 

The deadline to apply is the end of the day on the 31st May. Applicants will be informed of the outcome within two weeks after the deadline.

Application Support

Our team will host an application support session on Google Meet on 13th May at 11am, free tickets to the event are available here.

If you need specific support or have any additional questions, contact us at info@anamcreative.com.