Event type: Workshop

Delivered in collaboration with LIMF Academy, with support from Culture Liverpool/SIF.

Now coming up to its ninth year, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Industry Careers Fest is a highlight in the Liverpool Philharmonic calendar, and is the largest music careers event in the city.

Created exclusively for young people aged 14-21, who are considering a career in music, together with LIMF Academy we host some of the brightest music from Liverpool and the UK.

In a series of interactive workshops and demonstrations, industry experts cover everything you want to know about working in the music industry. Previous speakers have included Spotify, Meta, Sentric, LIPA, RNCM, University of Liverpool, Help Musicians, Warner Chapell, local promoters and industry leaders, as well as a wider range of professional artists from all style of performance.

On the same day, the iconic Liverpool Philharmonic Hall hosts a Music Careers Marketplace, giving you the opportunity to meet and talk to representatives from leading music organisations, employers and higher education institutions from across the UK. Stall holders will also host Career Surgery Sessions throughout the day, giving you the opportunity to gain advice from industry professionals.

Marketplace stall holders have in the past included Royal Northern College of Music, AdLib, LIPA, University of Liverpool, The Ivors Academy, SAE, Jazz North, City of Liverpool College and many more.

Whether you are interested in performing, composing, song writing, sound engineering, technical and production, recording, management, music education or creative health, Careers Fest has something for you.

Feedback from previous CareersFest attendees:

‘The talks from people working in the industry really inspired me to believe I could have a job or career in music’. 

‘The professional musicians gave some great insight into my future career’

‘We all had an open discussion about the different careers in music and the music industry in general, which was helpful in understanding what people are like in the industry, and some general feel of what it’s like’

‘I had the opportunity to talk to people from my dream university’

‘The Careers Marketplace was absolutely AMAZING!! Everyone was so passionate about what they do, and very encouraging’ 

Open Culture has partnered with Liverpool BID Company, Metquarter and GPO Food Hall once again for a festive treat. Join us for a series of creative workshops this winter season.

Ready to get crafty this Christmas? Mark your calendars for these incredible workshops:

Make & Stitch Your Own Festive Decorations with Design Laser Play (25 November)

Create unique, sustainable and hanging decorative items for your home or to gift to a loved one.

In the session you can decide which type of decorations you would like to make and stitch – a collection of small strung pieces or a large individual shape. A selection of different laser cut plywood shapes, needles and an assortment of attractive sparkly coloured threads will be available to you to choose from to create your own sustainable and personalised decoration.

Each of the laser cut shapes has an arrangement of holes which allow a variety of decorative patterns to be stitched across the surface of your shape. You’ll be using a needle to add sparkles of coloured thread, enabling you to produce a decoration to take away, and are bespoke and unique to you!

Book Tickets

Fabric Fairy Lights with Bluebird Upholstery (9 December)

You will make a string of 10 fabric fairy lanterns with LED lights, to add an eco-twinkle to your home or gift to a loved one. Bluebird Upholstery will be supplying an array of gorgeous vintage and modern printed silk and cotton fabrics, including fabrics upcycled from vintage silk scarves and garments, from which you can choose your own unique fabric selections for your bespoke fairy lanterns.

Or if you would like to bring along your own fabrics then please do, this all helps to add to the personalised and eco-friendly nature of your lights – thin cottons and silks with small to medium size patterns work best.

At the end of the session, as well as taking away your beautiful handmade string of fairy lanterns, you will receive rechargeable AA batteries and a plug-in charger, so that your lanterns can be sustainably powered for years to come!

Book Tickets

Beeswax Candle Making with B 4 Biodiversity (10 December) – SOLD OUT

You will be making a large 30cl candle in a glass holder using your choice of waxed wicks or crackle wicks. There will be a selection of seasonal essential oils to mix into the melted beeswax to lock in beautiful scents that will fill your home, or those you gift it to, over the festive period.

If you would like to bring along your own dried flowers from your garden then please do, this all helps to add to the personalised and eco-friendly nature of your Candle.

You will also get a chance to talk about how and why honeybees make beeswax and learn about what happens to bees over winter.

Block Printed Table Runner Set with Red Button Press (16 December) – SOLD OUT

Join Karen Edwards of Red Button Press and learn how to print your own cotton table runner and napkins – perfect to add a touch of sustainable style to your Christmas table décor or gift to a loved one.

Artist/Printmaker Karen will show you how to design and make your own printing blocks made from recycled materials and apply those designs to the fabric using one or two colours of your choice.

You will then take away your own unique, reusable block printed table runner and 4 napkins and the printing skills to apply your own designs to your own fabric and paper projects. You will be using water-based inks but please wear apron or old clothes. You will also be using scissors and a craft knife so please wear your glasses if you need them.

Motifs and designs will be provided for reference but please bring your own ideas and Karen will help you transfer those ideas into blocks. Care instructions will be given in the workshop so they’re reusable for many years to come.

There also an extra twist – you can turn your napkins into your own homemade crackers! Karen will explain how to repurpose the napkins if you want to have a more sustainable Christmas and cut down waste.

Tickets are selling quickly, as there is limited space on each workshop. Book early to avoid disappointment!