With the third national UK lockdown ramping up pressure on arts and creative organisations across the city region, we spoke to the creative and managing director of MD Creatives and recently-appointed director of radio station KCC Live, Miguel Doforo, to find out how he’s been weathering the storm.
Hi Miguel! First of all, for those who don’t know you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
Hi, my name is Miguel Doforo and I am the creative and managing director at MD Creatives. My numerous roles at MD Creatives include everything from the creative work at the company, to looking for funding opportunities for the business, driving the vision of our creatives and supporting the local community through a host of initiatives…not to mention the actual delivery of both live and virtual virtual performances across the globe.
When was MD Creatives founded and what are its aims?
It was founded in Liverpool in 2001. Our vision, as we move towards our 20th anniversary, remains the same as it was then! We’ve always strived to create a safe space for our creatives and to give opportunities to people who wouldn’t usually get it. MD has always been about creating chances and allowing the youth to flourish through arts and education. Our re-brand in 2019 further strengthened our mission to inspire the future generation, work with the local community and help aspiring youngsters to fulfil their potential.
You recently became the sole tenant at St Helen’s iconic Citadel building, can you tell us more about how that came about and your plans for MD Creatives in the new site?
When we arrived in St Helens we made close contacts with local entrepreneur, Ian Pitts, and it soon became evident that Ian was keen to restore the glory days to the Citadel building through arts and live performances. The Citadel fits our ethos and values perfectly and it is amazing that we are now providing an arts and events hub for the local community to feel proud of once again. Our aim is to continue to bring back the history of the building and to create more opportunities, especially in employment and training, as we look to fill the skills gap in the industry which will come from the pandemic.
The pandemic meant that last year was a difficult year for many sectors, but yours in particular. How did MD Creatives navigate the impact of COVID-19?
Creatives in general are very adaptable individuals, as we go from audition to audition and job to job. The pandemic has continued to create resilient individuals in the arts and we certainly won’t be broken by this.
Of course the last 12 months have been extremely difficult, but as a company MD Creatives has looked at ways to evolve while face-to-face performances haven’t been possible, and that saw the debut of our virtual performances, as well as online learning, up-skilling and plenty of work behind the scenes.
Personally, I went to the School of Entrepreneurs to learn more as a creative and as a businessman and when life returns to some form of normality, I guarantee that you’ll see a bigger and even better MD Creatives!
As we start 2021 in a third national lockdown, were you forced to once again change plans? How are you responding to this lockdown?
We had to cancel and postpone so many plans in 2020 and this third lockdown has again put a pause on face-to-face learning and performances. We’ve made the conscious decision to move all of our learning online until April, and although this is frustrating, it gives us more time to plan ahead for what should be an exciting end to the year and an even better 2022.
With the ongoing uncertainty, what plans have you been able to make for the rest of 2021?
Our plan is to adapt our projects and services so they are available through a click of a button. We’ve tried to utilise our social media platforms and website throughout the pandemic and we’ve recently set-up learning portals for our creatives, so they are able to learn and grow from the comfort of their own homes. Virtually, we are using more video content than ever to keep our creatives and our audience involved and our plan is to go national so we can share our message with the masses.
I have also recently been appointed the director of Liverpool City Region radio station KCC Live, which presents an exciting opportunity for the new year. The station shares MD Creatives’ values and is the perfect platform to share local good news stories, to provide opportunities for young creatives and to give local DJ’s and presenters a voice to showcase their talents.
This year our theme is ‘Young At Heart’, which promotes the right for LGBT+ people to live happy, healthy and carefree lives, regardless of how they identify. What does this statement mean to you?
‘Young At Heart’ underpins everything that MD Creatives believes in and works towards. We raise aspirations and allow our creatives to be themselves at all times! We inspire and encourage our creatives to exercise, to learn, to socialise with their peers and to channel their inner child through their performances, which of course is everything a happy, healthy and carefree life should be.
What programmes can people get involved with at the moment and how can they apply?
We’re currently delivering a Creative Kick-Start programme online, which allows aspiring creatives to dip their toe into the industry and to try a range of tasks, which come the new academic year in September, should allow them to take the first steps onto the career path.
If you’re interested in getting involved, visit www.mdcreatives.co.uk and fill out an expression of interest form, so one of our team can get in touch to provide a virtual tour of our premises and our offering.
What are your biggest hopes for 2021?
As an organisation, our biggest hopes are to continue the great work we’ve done over the last 19 years, which is to sustain, grow and learn as a business and to cement everything MD Creatives believe in, so we are ready for the return of live performances, as well as the new academic year.
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