Participant recruitment is now open for Subtle Systems, Strange Field's new music, events & nightlife enterprise training programme.

Working in partnership with local community organisers and industry professionals, Subtle Systems provides free hands-on technical and entrepreneurial skills training to young people experiencing barriers to working in the music, events, and nightlife industries.

Over 11 weeks, participants build business and technical skills - from finance and marketing to live audio and lighting - before putting their learning into practice by delivering their own public event.

Subtle Systems is supported by the Glasgow City Council Social Innovation Challenge Fund.

Please note: We can only accept participants with a Glasgow postcode.

When & where do sessions run?

40 participants will be split into 4 cohorts based on weekly availability.

• Cohorts A & B (20 participants) will meet every Monday evening from 6-9pm from 5 October to 14 December 2026.
• Cohorts C & D (20 participants) will meet every Tuesday evening from 6-9pm from 6 October to 15 December 2026.

Participant event delivery period: Thursday 10 December to Sunday 13 December 2026.

Sessions will run at Strange Field, 105-109 French Street, Dalmarnock, Glasgow G40 4EH

Who are we looking for?

This course is for those who are interested in starting careers & businesses in the industry, but haven't had a route to working in it.

We are looking for:

• Young people ages 18-30
• People underrepresented in the industry, or facing barriers to working in it
• Applicants from across Glasgow, with a particular focus on G31 & G40 post codes
• No previous formal experience or training is required (however, we recommend those most interested in running the live audio and lighting roles of their event to have some foundational technical knowledge, whether learned in a formal environment or self-taught)

What do we mean by barriers?

Barriers to entry take many forms, including those relating to:

• Race and ethnicity
• Gender
• Sexuality
• Disability
• Neurodivergence
• Socioeconomic background
• Caring responsibilities
• Housing insecurity
• Lived experience of the justice system
• Education
• Faith

What will be covered in the course?

Throughout the course, we will cover:

• Entrepreneurship & Business Models
• Finance & Budgeting
• DIY Culture & Ethos
• Marketing Strategy & Partnerships
• Artist Liaison
• Live Audio
• Lighting Design
• Stage Management
• Technical Integration & Legal Essentials

Participants will leave the course with:

• A business plan
• A technical portfolio
• Financial reports
• Hands-on experience through delivery of a public event
• Certificate of course completion

How to apply?

To apply, please fill out our participant recruitment form available here: https://tally.so/r/PdWq6V

Applications will be open until Sunday 20 September at 11:59PM BST.
Applicants offered a place on the programme will be notified by Friday 25 September.

For more information

Please read through our participant information packet, available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/196kLej_0id_nvTFyJI4E45i1zoXZeRal/view?…

Follow us on Instagram @subtle__systems for updates.

For additional enquiries, email us at subs@strangefield.org.