A suite of free business workshops for creative businesses and practitioners has been launched by North Devon Council in partnership with economic delivery agency North Devon Plus.

The project is supported using public funding through Arts Council England and is designed to help established and aspiring creative business and practitioners brush up on a range of business skill including marketing, being finance savvy, selling products and services effectively, and protecting creative assets.

The first in the series of workshops, Marketing Basics for Busy Creatives, will take place from 2-4pm on Monday 25 November at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon. This is a free, in-person event in-person event, which will cover the essentials of marketing, from branding to social media strategies. All workshops are open to established and aspiring creative businesses and practitioners based in Barnstaple and North Devon.

Lee Baxendale, Cultural Producer for North Devon Council, said: “As well as creating events, part of our project is to support local creative businesses, and giving them support to help them thrive. This series of free workshops aims to look at areas that local creatives can use to develop and progress, with expert advice and guidance. We are delighted to be working with North Devon Plus in the delivery of this initiative.”

Workshops will be a series of fun and interactive sessions, both in person and online, and will offer creative businesses and practitioners the opportunity to develop their skills and network with one another. Free places for the workshops can be booked on North Devon Plus's website at: northdevonplus.co.uk/our-services/business-support-for-creative-industries.

Flourishing Barnstaple is a North Devon Council initiative which is funded by the Cultural Development Fund and administered by Arts Council England.