According to researchers, 50% of the global workforce is set to be freelance by 2030. And already 30% of the creative workforce have made that leap. But there is no clear guidelines for building and sustaining a freelance career. Mad Academy (Makers and Doers Academy) is a free five-week programme in London designed to educate and empower a more ethnically-diverse talent pool for the creative industry. Open to all creatives from ethnic minority backgrounds, Mad Academy will explore topics such as: how to find and retain clients, what a great portfolio looks like, and how to set up as a freelancer and manage your finances. Two years experience within creative industries is required (either full-time, part-time or as a side hustle) and five free evenings across September 2026. Final programme dates TBC

The programme has five key pillars:Career Development Sessions: Freelance career guidance from senior experts across the creative industry. Networking Events: Curated event by the Mad Academy team, as well as group trips to creative industry events. Personal Branding Sessions: Portfolio-building and personal branding sessions.Opportunity Sharing: resource hub, sharing information on relevant opportunities. Resource Access: Access to equipment, technology and software

If you’re from an ethnic minority background, over 18, with at least two years experience in the creative industry (either full-time, part-time or as a side hustle) - you can apply.

- An gold standard portfolio that can form the foundation of your freelance journey.- Written recommendations from contributing mentors and partners.- Unique skill set that will give you a head start in the industry.- A graduation ceremony and platform to present your portfolio industry contacts, media, agencies and recruiters.

Actual dates TBC. The successful applicants will meet for five to six consecutive Wednesday evenings in September/October. The sessions will start at 6:30pm until 8.30pm. The venue will be in Clerkenwell, Central London. Refreshments will be provided!

It’s free.

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button

Friday 28th August 2026.

Yellowzine and partners will review all the application forms and create a shortlist. This will be followed by an informal chat with the shortlisted candidates. After this we will finalise the selected candidates who will be notified by email.

We won’t let you escape that easily! Even if you don’t get through to the Mad Academy programme, you can sign up to be a part of our resource hub where we'll sharing opportunities and learnings from the programme.

No problem, get in touch by emailing the team at submissions@yellwzine.com

Who are Yellowzine?Yellowzine has been described as the Yellow pages for creatives of colour. We are a creative studio, print and online platform that centralises artwork by ethnic minority creatives. We are committed to supporting the contemporary movement for the progression of art by African, Caribbean and Asian diaspora artists. Partners. Founding Partner - Uncommon Programme Sponsor - Tangerine