The UK charity which provides Creative Mentoring for children and young people In need and In Care. Our vision is to inspire children and young people to harness the power of arts, creativity, and culture for positive change.

Leading on the Seldom Seen of Morecambe Bay, Fort Walney Uncovered and Shedding the Past: Growing Barrow Anew programmes.

Contributing to creativity and innovation in schools and international education exchanges.

I lead on the development and delivery of a comprehensive fundraising / income strategy and action plan for the company’s work, and developed new fundraising and income generation opportunities for the company to ensure its sustainability beyond the next three years, e.g. from Arts Council England (Creative Local Growth Fund), Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund and many other regional and national sources.

I supported many entrepreneurs who went onto establish successful businesses in the Barrow in Furness and wider Morecambe Bay Region. These include Barrow Bird and Pet Shop, Aerial Artwork, Bardsea Bed and Breakfast and Lee Holmes Photography.Feedback from benefitting businesses includes:"I believe I was very lucky to have Nick support me in starting my business last year. In our meetings he was always friendly and welcoming and I was confident of his experience in the mentoring role. The sessions were always well matched to the stages of my business development, and Nick alternated effectively between giving me encouragement, challenges, advice and information. He listened carefully and his relevant questions and suggestions always got me thinking deeply, and helped me move on towards my goals with increasing confidence." (Colin Aldred, Aerial Artwork)I met Nick after I’d completed a business course in 2015 and the support from him was part of the course benefits to advise and give guidance to help progress my business. I found our meetings to be invaluable as he helped me with changes to my photography website and advised on how to put some of my paperwork together and write a business plan. I have now progressed to do photography on a part time basis around my full time job and have some weddings booked in this year. I’d definitely recommend anyone to utilise his knowledge, skills and experience in anyway they can. Thanks for everything! ( Lee Holmes Photography)

Following the ending of the Aspire EAZ, I transformed the EAZ into the social enterprise, the Aspire Trust: a unique development in the context of this kind of government initiative. I have generated programmes with partners from across the social enterprise sector, the arts and creative industries and mainstream education from Early Year to Higher Education. The Trust was shortlisted in 2009 for a Liverpool John Moores University Knowledge Business of the Year Award. Key roles: arts production, curriculum design, business development and income generation, project management, research and evaluation.

I was offered the role of Programme Director for the Spark Up Business Incubator Pilot Programme established by the Liverpool Chambers of Commerce. Spark Up aimed to involve the highest quality regional, national and international expertise, knowledge and skills in developing entrepreneurs and businesses from across the Liverpool City Region.I designed and led the pilot programme which involved 15 new and young businesses from the Liverpool City Region. Feedback from participating businesses includes:Amy and I would like to thank you for all your help and support over the past few months, we wouldn’t be anywhere near as far into our journey as we would have been without your support and being part of Spark Up…. it’s been a brilliant experience and we really appreciate all you’ve put into the programme so far and respect your dedication to helping new starters in business like ourselves. (Russell and Brown, Vintage Hair)I’d personally like to thank you for helping me progress; your explanations of issues and providing me with clarity to make decisions has been a huge benefit to my business skill set… you’ve been a massive help to me and I really appreciate the support & time you’ve given me and I’m sure it will pay dividends in my future in business… (Bliss Juices)“Nick Owen has been an amazing friend and mentor during our time together at Liverpool Vision and Spark Up. Whether it was setting up business seminars or giving us 1:1 support on our business plan his help and advice has been invaluable to us especially as a tiny start up company. Thanks Nick!” (Kevin Tsang, Mechabit)

Focusing on increasing the rate of business start-ups in Liverpool and promoting survival and growth in early years businesses by providing a range of business advice, coaching and support; referral to other advisors and business mentors, to other business support agencies and to sources of information and knowledge; and involvement in business events designed to accelerate business start-up rates, through more people becoming interested in enterprise, beginning and completing the business start-up ‘journey’.

Convene the ABER SIG; facilitate seminars and papers; advocate for the field

Production of community based and independent films including:The Schooling of Michelle Molyneux Producer / Director, Liverpool Independents BiennialProducer, Island of Strangers, WirralHarmed but Strong, Producer, Young People Advisory Services, LiverpoolFamilies who Care, Producer / Director, Knowsley Fostering ServicesFamily Works, Director, Wirral Special Educational Support ServicesThis is MZONE! Producer / Director, MZONEThe World in One City Producer / Director, Brouhaha International

Oversee strategic development

Oversee strategic development

I led a strong partnership between 11 primary and secondary Wallasey Schools in order to pilot and develop educational projects which enhanced academic standards and promoted social inclusion. My achievements included building strong partnership between Head teachers, HEI / FEI partners and the private, voluntary and public sectors and developing international arts and education links in Cape Town, South Africa. I managed a total project budget of over £1m: £750,000 core funding from the DfES and a further £300,000 generated from the public and private sectors. Key roles: strategic development, action plan implementation, curriculum innovation.

I led the design, development and implementation of the B.A. (Hons) in Community Arts programme at LIPA. I also initiated and developed the UK’s first full time performing arts course in H.E. for Disabled People; the creation and development of LIPA’s Outreach work and the development of part time courses including Arts in Prisons, Arts in Museums and Arts and Health. Key roles: senior academic leadership, programme management and curriculum design, teaching and learning. Teaching Interests: Creativity and Learning; Complexity; Visual Narrative; Collective Composition; the Efficacy of Community and Participatory Arts Practice in Personal Development; the Animation of Museums, Galleries and Libraries; Disability Arts.

I led the company for 5 years from its early days as a department of the Everyman Theatre, through to when it became an independent company and registered charity. I led the development of a ladder of training opportunities for young people (from 14 upwards) who were excluded from mainstream education through to young professional artists who were making their first steps into the world of work. I generated over £1.5m from a variety of sources including Liverpool City Council, the European Social Fund (from Objectives 1 and 2), the Further Education Funding Council (the FEFC), the Merseyside Training and Education Council - Mersey TEC), Liverpool City Challenge, the European HORIZON programme and various private sector companies. Key roles: strategic development, programme development, fundraising,

Director, Writer, Youth Theatre Director

Company management, financial management

Company management and financial management

Company management, financial management

Tour organiser, stage manager