YOUNG musicans get a helping hand on the path to stardom at a new music-making one-stop shop launched in Exmouth tomorrow.

YOUNG musicans get a helping hand on the path to stardom at a new music-making one-stop shop launched in Exmouth next Friday.

The Collective is a new collaboration of musical expertise designed to help young musicians in the area involving music, arts and media in local communities.

Supported by Devon County Council the aim is to give young people the opportunity to flourish and perform by giving them the power to showcase their talent to the public.

Councillor Christine Channon, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for schools and skills, said: “This project exemplifies the kind of partnerships with the community and voluntary sector that will sustain and broaden opportunities for Devon’s young people into the future.

“The Collective offers the opportunity for young people with a range of different skills to harness their talents and provide tangible results, and I wish it every success.”

The project will use the two Devon Youth Service recording studios and expertise, and 16 young people will be involved in peer educating other community and voluntary groups with all things music and arts related, including photography.

Dan Barton, the Council’s area youth worker, said: “Any young musician, artist, songwriter, singer or photographer can contact The Collective and ask for a leg up - either some time in the studio, some time working with our youth workers to develop more skills, or a visit from the team to help write songs. This is all free for 13-19 year olds as per our youth service offer.

“Our music team will do all the recording, gigs and back line stuff and our arts team will be helping with band photos, CD covers and music vids.

“We have a dedicated PR team who will help to raise the profile of the artists by writing press biopic and promoting the project and any gigs. We also have a community team who are busy building links with the community for their outreach type sessions.”

The Collective will be officially launched next Friday (December 3), during the Exmouth Christmas Cracker, Go to: www.the-collectives.com.