The Institute for Creative Advertising and Design (ICAD), alongside Ireland’s largest marketing communications company ‘Core’, have opened applications for their free “Upstarts” programme, pushing marginalised creatives into the art and design world.

Through Core, Upstarts pairs budding creatives with prominent figureheads in art, design and the advertising world to guide applicants to actualise their creative visions. Through real-life experience and invaluable one-on-one direction, the project has seen widespread success with three-quarters of participants saying it directly assisted them in finding work in their desired area.

18 years in, 98 per cent recommended it as a key foothold onto the professional ladder and 94 per cent of host agencies and studios stated they would look to the programme as a primary hiring ground. 82 per cent are in employment within 6 months of completing the programme.

The unique programme specifically works to assist those from marginalised backgrounds, levelling the field of a creative industry which has had its diversity issues and inequalities highlighted in a recent report by the Irish Theatre Institute.

To apply, entrants must answer an open brief and show their best work in design and art. Those who are selected will complete multiple phases of the course. The first phase lays the baselines of skills and develops the talents applicants already have. The second phase assigns mentors and experts from the creative world to participants, providing essential guidance. The programme also connects participants with creative agencies, who will then issue a brief and work alongside Upstart members to produce a piece of work and present it in a business setting.

The ICAD has been a longstanding non-profit which has played a major part in excelling the Irish design world forward through schemes such as this one. Being membership-led, ICAD sees most of Ireland’s most prominent creative minds collaborate on issues that creatives come across today. Most of these issues have been persistent since the organisation’s inception, almost 70 years ago, Space, cost of living, discrimination and access are affecting people as much now as they were decades ago, if not more.

If this unique opportunity resonates with you, click here to apply for the ICAD’s Upstarts program.