Within Exeter and the surrounding areas, there are few options for young people looking to learn or develop a career pathway in animation. This led Yellow Mouse Studios to seek and gain funding for a feasibility trial into developing an Exeter Animation Academy, with the aim of giving capable graduates in Devon a real opportunity to continue in a sector that might otherwise be out of reach.

When researching the project, it became clear that there is a lack of access to creative activities for young people from C2DE households, which ultimately impacts the creative industries voice. Recent analysis has reported just 8% of creatives in film and TV come from a working-class background, so there are clearly barriers into the creative industry for these Young People. Add in any additional challenges they face, and opportunities quickly diminish.

Through Creative Arc funding, Yellow Mouse Studios will expand their Animation Academy project to offer a training programme that helps up to 30 young people to learn animation in a nurturing and creative environment, from a team of professional animators.

The aim is to work with organisations in and around Exeter (Young Devon, Balloons, Children’s Hospice SW, etc) to identify Young People who are currently experiencing challenges, providing the opportunity to learn animation skills from experienced animators either as part of a half-term holiday group or a four-week training course, that introduces digital animation, techniques, software and tools, resulting in the creation of individual animation sequences that have positive inclusive messages. The age ranges of the groups would be 14-17yrs and 18-25yrs.

The aim is to not just improve their creative skills, but also wellbeing while introducing educational pathways and future creative opportunities. The programme is a chance for young people to learn a creative discipline to help with maintaining wellness or as a respite from their current circumstances.

Yellow Mouse Studios