Free night school program D&AD Shift with Google launches in Sydney
Non-profit advertising and design association D&AD has launched the D&AD Shift with Google program today, 26 July.
The program has run in London and New York since 2016 and aims to address accessibility issues in the creative industry.
D&AD Shift with Google runs for four months and is free. The program aims to provide training to those without a formal, traditional degree. In 2019, six months after completing the Shift program, 60% of alumni in New York and London had entered into paid creative employment.
The program is responding to recent research conducted by Diversity Arts Australia which found that although CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) Australians made up 39% of the population, they are disproportionately underrepresented in key leadership roles, with only 10% of CEOs, 14% of creative directors and 12% of senior executives identifying as CALD.
Paul Drake, foundation director at D&AD, commented: “With so much of our focus on building a fairer future for the creative industries, it’s important we continue to expand our programs to allow agencies across the globe access to more inclusive hiring practices. Expansion into territories like Sydney, that have a globally renowned creative community, will allow us to spread the core mission of Shift – that great creative talent is not born solely in universities and colleges, and in certain parts of society.”
The Sydney program will also partner with sportswear brand Adidas to set a ‘brief in a day’.
Tara McKenty, creative head, Google APAC commented, “Over the last four years, Rare with Google has had a strong partnership with D&AD. Today, we are proud to be building on this further to bring the night school to Sydney.”
Jonathan Kneebone, co-founder of The Glue Society, commented: “D&AD Shift has been such a success in every city where it has been staged – seeking out and encouraging unique creative voices in various corners of the world. We have been hoping to bring Shift to Sydney for a while – as unearthing brilliant, diverse and ‘hidden’ talent is something that is truly needed within our rather uniform creative departments. The more different the experiences that people within our industry can have, the more it enriches our collective ability. And new perspectives bring new dimensions to the work. I can’t wait to break new ground with a new generation of raw Australian talent.”
Applications open from today, with the deadline being 11 October 2021. The program begins on 15 November 2021, with the Shift Sydney Showcase to be held on 4 April 2022.
Got a tip?
topics
Adidas
D&AD
D&AD Shift with Google
Diversity Arts Australia
Google
Jonathan Kneebone
Paul Drake
Tara McKenty
The Glue Society
