Advice & Guidance
Our Clinics, Workshops, and Drop-in Sessions are open to all RCS students, staff, and alumni. Explore upcoming sessions below and book your place.
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1:1 Clinics
Clinics are one-to-one sessions where you can meet with a specialist advisor to talk about your projects, your career, and your professional development. Our advisors have years of experience supporting creative practitioners in their respective fields.
Please note that Clinics are released on a rolling basis. If there are no available slots on the online booking system, please check back later. To receive the latest updates and Clinic availability straight to your inbox, sign up for our CEDO newsletter
Signposting with Stephanie Edwards
If you’re not sure which part of CEDO would be most helpful to you, Signposting provides an ideal starting point. CEDO Manager Stephanie Edwards can help you explore an idea, identify the support that’s right for you, and connect you to opportunities within CEDO and beyond.
Career Clinics with Rachael Arnold
Led by our Entrepreneur in Residence, these Clinics provide a space to discuss life as a freelancer, starting up a company, and managing creative projects. As Co-Founder of Creative Entrepreneurs Club, Rachael Arnold has extensive experience supporting creatives to build impactful businesses.
Career Clinics with Briana Pegado
Creative industries leader, consultant, author, and founder of Good Trouble Co, Briana Pegado can help you navigate the different paths a career in the arts and creative industries can take. These sessions are neurodivergent-friendly, queer-friendly, and BPOC-friendly.
Theatre Industry Clinics with Julia Taudevin
Multi-award-winning theatre artist and Co-Artistic Director of Glasgow-based theatre company Disaster Plan, Julia Taudevin can help you explore opportunities across stage and screen, develop self-led projects, and think about sustainable approaches to your creative practice.
Music Industry Clinics with Paul Tracey
Clinics with the Chief Executive of Chamber Music Scotland, Paul Tracey, can cover all aspects of building a sustainable career in music. Get advice on developing your freelance practice, commissioning or creating new work, and connecting with others in the sector.
Film Industry Clinics with Ciara Barry & Rosie Crerar
Meet with the founders of BAFTA-nominated production company barry crerar (Everybody to Kenmure Street) to talk about the realities of working in the screen industries, from developing and nurturing stories to understanding sales and distribution.
Finance Clinics with David Nicholls
Ask David Nicholls of Brett Nicholls Associates general finance or accounting questions directly related to your creative career and practice. Please note, Finance Clinics are available by referral only. If you’d like to attend one, please book a Signposting meeting with CEDO Manager Stephanie Edwards.
Legal Clinics with Philip Hannay
Ask two-time Law Award winner Philip Hannay of Cloch Solicitors general legal questions directly related to your creative career and practice. Please note, Legal Clinics are available by referral only. If you’d like to attend one, please book a Signposting meeting with CEDO Manager Stephanie Edwards.
Workshops
Our hands-on workshops help you develop practical skills and approaches to get your ideas, projects, and collaborations off the ground and into the world. These interactive sessions are welcoming and accessible, with no previous experience needed. Just come along, and our expert speakers will guide you through the topic, leaving plenty of space for questions and conversation.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland presents
CEDO Workshop: Taking Your Show To The Fringe
Founder Drop-in
Dates: 14 October, 11 November, 9 December, 13 January, 10 February, 10 March, 14 April, 12 May, 9 June (10:00-12:00 at Clockwise)
Hosted by our Entrepreneur in Residence, Rachael Arnold, this monthly drop-in is for anyone thinking about setting up or already running a company, charity, or social enterprise. You can come any time between 10am and 12pm, and stay as long as you like. This is a relaxed session where you can:
- Meet like-minded peers
- Ask questions about setting up or running an organisation
- Get expert advice and practical tips from Rachael
- Explore your organisation’s values
- Discuss queries around HMRC
Funding Drop-in
Dates: 21 October, 16 December, 17 February, 21 April, 16 June (10:00-12:00 Online)
Hosted by our Entrepreneur in Residence, Rachael Arnold, this relaxed drop-in is for anyone who has received funding from RCS Engage, including the Student Ideas Fund, Make It Happen Fund, Innovation Studio Seed Fund, and Athenaeum Awards. You (and your collaborators) can join any time between 10am and 12pm to talk about making the most of your funding. In this session, you can:
- Meet other awardees and hear about their projects
- Discuss your budget
- Review your timeline
- Get support with project planning and management
- Plan your next steps after your funded project
FAQs
How do Clinics work?
Clinics are one-to-one sessions tailored to your needs and situation. Most Clinics take place online, allowing you to join from anywhere in the world. The booking form asks what you’d like to discuss so your advisor can prepare and make the most of your session.
After booking, you’ll receive an automatic email with a Zoom link and any joining instructions. You will also receive a short form with some questions about your study and work circumstances. This must be completed before attending your appointment.
Please let us know if you have any access needs.
How many Clinics can I attend?
You can attend a maximum of two sessions with each advisor per academic year. This allows you to have an initial meeting and, if needed, a follow-up session to check in on your progress.
After two Clinics, we encourage you to put the advice and guidance from your sessions into practice as you continue working towards your goals.
There is no limit on the number of Workshops you can attend.
What if I need to cancel a booking?
If you need to cancel your booking, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance. This allows us to offer the space to someone else in the RCS community. Late cancellations leave valuable slots unused, so we appreciate your consideration in giving us enough notice to reallocate your space.
What can I discuss in a Finance Clinic?
Finance Clinics are designed to support general finance and accounting questions directly related to your creative career and practice. You can discuss topics such as UK taxes for freelancers and small companies, HMRC related topics, business structures, effective financial planning, and general money management.
Finance Clinics cannot provide advice on matters unrelated to your creative practice, such as personal mortgages or investment tips. They are also not intended for making confidential disclosures to David.*
Please ensure you read this disclaimer before attending your session.
*A confidential disclosure is private information that is shared with another party, either orally or in writing, with the expectation that it will not be made public or shared with third parties.
What can I discuss in a Legal Clinic?
Legal Clinics are designed to support general legal questions directly related to your creative career and practice. You can discuss topics such as legal and employment contracts (e.g. reviewing a contract you’ve been given to sign or contracting others to work with you), intellectual property (e.g. copyright, patents, trademarks, and design rights), company structures, and simple procedural actions (e.g. defending a claim against your business or pursuing money owed through the Civil Court).
Legal Clinics cannot provide advice on matters unrelated to your creative practice, such as parking tickets or disputes with your landlord. They are also not intended for making confidential disclosures to Philip.*
*A confidential disclosure is private information that is shared with another party, either orally or in writing, with the expectation that it will not be made public or shared with third parties.
