CEDO x SU Workshops
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CEDO is delighted to partner with the RCS Students’ Union to bring you a series of workshops that will help get your ideas, projects, companies, and collaborations off the ground and into the world. Join these interactive sessions to learn practical skills and tools for navigating the most important topics you’ll encounter in your professional career.
Our workshops are open to all backgrounds and levels of experience. Expect a welcoming, supportive atmosphere where expert speakers will guide you step by step, with plenty of time for questions, discussion, and peer learning.
Scroll down to see the full list of workshops and booking information.
Workshops
Starting out as a Freelancer: The Nuts and Bolts
22 October 2025, 12:30-13:30pm, ONLINE with Rachael Arnold (RCS Entrepreneur in Residence)
Explore strategies to balance your creative aspirations with the practical skills you need to get started. This workshop will help you navigate the early stages of building a freelance career or business. It will guide you through critical steps such as defining your vision, setting priorities, and developing a practical roadmap to ensure your creative career will thrive. Whether you’re just starting or refining your path, you’ll leave with the insights and strategies to kickstart your journey confidently.
Taking Your Show to Fringe
4 November 2025, 18:00-19:30pm, IN-PERSON with Kirsty Fraser (Fringe Society)
Join Kirsty Fraser, Artist Development Manager at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, to learn everything you need to know about bringing a show to the Fringe. This workshop will give an overview of the entire process of taking your show to the largest open access arts festival in the world – from finding a venue, to marketing, and the professional development opportunities available beyond your show. Plus top tips on how to maximise your time at the festival.
A Guide to Burnout: Surviving and Thriving
2 December 2025, 12:30-13:30pm, ONLINE with Briana Pegado
Experts suggest that burnout takes 3-5 years to recover from. Add that to the fact that as artists, producers, and all-around creative practitioners you will likely be juggling a number of jobs, roles, interests, and projects. That means the likelihood that you may encounter burnout (if you have not already) is very high. This neurodivergent-friendly workshop will help you understand the causes of burnout, identify the warning signs, and come up with a plan to recover and thrive, or avoid it altogether.
Building Your Audiences and Networks
17 February 2026, 12:30-13:30pm, ONLINE with Rachael Arnold (RCS Entrepreneur in Residence)
This session focuses on understanding and engaging with your audience, offering tips to create meaningful connections and attract your key demographic. It covers identifying your audience, understanding why they would purchase from you, and how to communicate effectively with them, leveraging the network effect to enhance your engagement.
Costing and Pricing Your Work
19 February 2026, 18:00-19:30pm, IN-PERSON with Rachael Arnold (RCS Entrepreneur in Residence)
This session explores the art of pricing freelance creative work, providing valuable insights and tools to help participants determine their ideal rate. It covers key factors influencing pricing beyond personal preferences, including the true cost of artistry, market expectations, and competitor benchmarks. Through a hands-on approach, participants will also use a ‘Daily Rate Calculator’ to set a fair and competitive price that reflects the value of their creative efforts.
Booking details coming soon!
Design Your Future: Turning Ambition to Action
14 April 2026, 12:30-13:30pm, ONLINE with Kathryn Welch
This session on planning for creatives will equip you with the tools to align your artistic vision with clear, actionable goals. Learn how to set long-term objectives and develop a roadmap for sustainable growth in your creative career. Whether you’re an artist, freelancer, or entrepreneur, this session will help you build a strategic plan that fosters both creative and professional success.
Writing Effective Funding Applications
14 May 2026, 18:00-19:30pm, IN-PERSON with Rachael Arnold (RCS Entrepreneur in Residence)
Step into the world of application-writing with our workshop dedicated to empowering you with the skills to write compelling funding applications. In an era of fierce competition, articulating why a funder should support your work is crucial. Join us for this practical session designed to enhance your writing skills, guide application building, and provide valuable insights on navigating the funding landscape.
Booking details coming soon!
Choices and Challenges: Getting Into the Right Mindset after Graduation
9 June 2026, 12:30-13:30pm, ONLINE with Rachael Arnold (RCS Entrepreneur in Residence)
This session will support your transition from student to full-time practitioner in the performing arts. As you step beyond the Conservatoire, you’ll face a range of potential career pathways, which can feel overwhelming. This workshop will help you:
- Define how your values align with your work
- Identify ways to curate your career with those values in mind
- Take control over the next steps in your career
- Learn when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’
Unlike our other workshops, this session will be more conversational and Q&A-based. It focuses on strategic, values-led thinking and will adapt to the interests and experiences of the group.
