Real Creative Futures

We are Real Creative Futures; a programme of free support for creative businesses and practitioners in the D2N2 area (Derby, Derbyshire & Nottingham, Nottinghamshire). Our aim is simple - we want to see the local creative community thrive.

Through a range of workshops, one to one activities and opportunities to share your work with industry experts, we will help you to explore new perspectives, drive your creative success and build long-term networks that will continue to benefit you for years to come.

RCF is part of The Big House programme delivered through a partnership of business support organisations across the local area, with specialist expertise in different aspects of the creative and digital industries. The Big House partners include The Creative Quarter company, Derby QUAD, Derby Theatre, NBV Enterprise Solutions Ltd, New Art Exchange, Nottingham City Council’s Growth Hub, Nottingham Trent University, The Hive – Nottingham Trent University’s business incubator and the University of Derby. As part of the Creative Local Growth Fund programme, funded by The Arts Council, the partners will also be working with Broadway in Nottingham, which is managing paid internships and placements in the creative and digital industries with the support of The University of Nottingham.

The Big House programme is a 3-year, £5 million tailored support programme for the Creative and Digital Industries (CDI) sector in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire. The programme is part-funded by a £2.5 million contribution from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with match funding from the Creative Local Growth Fund programme, funded by The Arts Council.