The Northern Beaches is a bustling hub of creative energy, full of talented individuals across every creative sector. But how do you find them?
Kate and Chris Stead, a Northern Beaches couple that own and run local publishing company Old Mate Media, have come up with the solution- Northern Beaches Creatives.
Northern Beaches Creatives is a free local directory for creative individuals and businesses that are based on the Northern Beaches. The online marketplace allows locals to find and support their fellow creatives.
Kate describes it as Google meets eBay meets Freelancer…with a local focus.
She came up with the idea after finding it impossible to locate authors and artists that were based on the Northern Beaches, via standard Internet searches.
“It turns out local creatives don’t usually show up in location-based Google searches or in local business directories.”
Aware of the limitations in seeking and connecting with local creatives, the couple wanted to provide one searchable point for consumers and businesses to buy locally created products or commission local talent.
“The only option for discovery was word of mouth or posting in local social media groups. That simply wasn’t good enough. We’re a community that supports and loves our own, and we needed to make it easier for that to happen.”
Kate also says many creatives are siloed and don’t know who else is around them.
“As well as build connectivity to foster a stronger local arts culture, Northern Beaches Creatives will enable actors, writers, designers, musicians, artists, dancers, videographers, and more to find each other, collaborate or refer work to each other.”
“I believe in the power of collaboration and personal recommendations. Our community is stronger together and here on the Northern Beaches we are big believers in personal recommendations.”
The unique service not only allows locals to find and support their fellow NB creatives, but Kate believes it will also facilitate a collaborative approach that can lift the entire local economy and help residents regain their feet in the post-Covid world.
“Creatives will support other creatives, if they know about them, I’ve seen this first hand and it will really come into its own with this project. The local creative community has been hungry for more connection for a long time and this will help us all grow.”
The Northern Beaches council has awarded the initiative with an Arts and Innovation grant- the largest arts grant for any single project in 2021. Without which, Kate said the venture could never have come to fruition.
The project has also been built entirely by local talent.
“Importantly I wanted to have this project built and run by local creatives.”
“So everyone on the team from our local designer, to website builder to social media manager all live and work locally.”
Kate says the idea sat with her for a while, but it came to life last year after her husband encouraged her, saying ‘just do it!’
The website is now officially launched and despite its youth, the pair hopes for it to become the go-to directory for creative talent on the Northern Beaches.
“I would love for it to be the place people go when they want to buy something beautiful, hire a singer, look for a designer and more.”
The service is free to join, as the couple says the most important aspect is to offer more visibility to local creatives and to expose them to the local community.
“Connections will lead to recommendations but we do also want this to be a place individuals go to find unique and amazing creations.”
Northern Beaches Creatives is a community enterprise, designed to help the community, built within the community. Kate says to support this local directory people can spread the word and encourage creatives to sign up and start a profile. You can also follow them on their Facebook and Instagram.
They are currently running a competition with the chance to win a prize pack from one of four registered creatives, details can be found on Northern Beaches Creatives website or socials, and closes on 10 November.
