Graduate Associate Membership

Graduate Associate Membership

***Please note, the application window for Graduate Associate Membership of HCA has now closed. The information below is for archive purposes only ***

During academic year 2021-22 Graduate Associate Members of HCA will be able to access: 

• The library at CRC to benefit from our fantastic range of specialist creative art books and journals 
• The opportunity to exhibit in the library at CRC 
• The cafe at CRC, to catch up with friends and stay connected to the wider HCA community 
• The art shops at CRC and the chance to purchase art materials at a subsidised rate. 

We can’t offer access to IT or printing facilities but you are welcome to bring your own device and access free CRC guest Wi-Fi whilst on site (ask reception teams for a password). 

Please note that access for graduates may change at any point during the academic year depending on external circumstances.

How do I apply for Graduate Associate Membership of HCA?

Our application window ran from the 9th November 2021 at 9.00am to the 30th December 2021 at 5.00pm.

***The Application Window has now closed***

The application process will be online. You will be asked to confirm that you fall within the graduating cohorts eligible for this year’s scheme and asked for other details that enable us to carry out important safeguarding checks before you are able to access CRC campus.

All information collected will be processed in accordance with HCA’s data privacy policy.

Once the application window has closed, we will process your application and you will need to keep an eye on your inbox (and your SPAM folder) in case we need any further details or for you to send us an up-to-date image of yourself.

Please note that as we are a small team we will be unable to process applications after the deadline or ‘chase’ applications by email or other means. We rely on you to give us accurate information on the application form and it is your responsibility to respond promptly to email requests for information.

We anticipate that your GAM, if your application is successful, will start at the end of January 2022 (tbc) and run until the end of July 2023 (tbc).

You can view our application process as a diagram here.

Important information for Graduate Associate Members

Whilst on-site, Graduate Associate Members must comply with HCA’s COVID-code and wear their orange lanyard (available from reception) and GAM badge.

Please only visit the reception, library and cafe areas and linking passages to those areas. Other college areas (studio spaces and offices) are currently not accessible by GAM’s.

If GAMS breach these terms and conditions they will be compromising Health and Safety and Safeguarding requirements and will lose their GAM status.

We are currently updating our application process and will keep you posted through this website and our newsletter.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Graduate Associate Membership?

Please fill out our application form.

I use a screen reader. Can I still apply using the online application form?

Yes. The application form uses ‘Microsoft Forms’. You can access help on how to use forms with a screen reader on Microsoft’s accessibility help pages.

I cannot access the application form. What should I do?

Please look at Microsoft’s advice and support pages.

Will you contact me if my application is unsuccessful?

No. As a small team we cannot contact unsuccessful applicants. We urge you to check your email regularly (including your Junk and Spam folders) to make sure you have not missed an email from us. If you have not heard from us within 60 days please assume that your application has not been successful.

What might cause an unsuccessful application?

Most unsuccessful applications are caused because we have not been given correct information on the form (for example, a misspelled email means you won’t get comms from HCA). All applicants have to go through a safeguarding ‘barred list’ check, too.

Will you contact me if my application is successful?

Yes. You will be contacted and may be asked for a current photograph for your card.

I have not submitted an application within the deadline. Can I still apply?

No. The online process will close for application after the deadline.

I have not received an email from HCA. What should I do?

Please check your junk and SPAM folders for an email from us.

I graduated in 2019. Can I apply for Graduate Associate Membership of HCA?

No. This year we will be accepting applications from graduates whose graduation ceremonies took place in September 2021.

I attended the Portfolio/Foundation course. Can I apply for Graduate Associate Membership of HCA?

No. Launchgrad is designed to support graduates from our degree-level courses and postgraduate courses.

Why does Launchgrad last for 18 months?

Initially, we piloted a 12 month membership but portfolio careers can take a long time to build and we wanted to extend the support period for as long as we could.

Can I access workshops as part of the scheme?

Not during 2021-22. Health and Safety requirements around COVID, the need to comply with government guidance around continued lateral flow testing and safeguarding requirements mean that we can no longer offer pay-for workshop access to graduates. We suggest that you look at alternative workshop facilities, and would signpost you to local collectives like Hereford Make and Cup Ceramics.

Can I use IT suites and the darkroom as part of the scheme?

Access to IT suites and the darkroom has never been part of the Graduate Associate Membership scheme and for health and safety reasons (see above) plus the need to prioritise the needs of current students we are not considering extending this part of our offer.

Can I use library computers and print facilities as part of the scheme?

No, as although we trialed this, current health and safety requirements around shared equipment, and the need to comply with government guidance around continued lateral flow testing and safeguarding requirements mean that we can no longer offer any computer or print use for graduates. We suggest that you bring your own device and our reception teams will be happy to share our guest WiFi password with you.

Can I see my friends in course areas when I’m in college?

You can certainly meet your friends, but please meet them in CRC cafe or library when you visit HCA. Please don’t try to access studio or workshop spaces.

Can I have access to an exhibition space as part of the scheme?

Yes. Our library exhibition space is a sought-after place to share your work within HCA. Please speak to library teams to find out more.

I am a current Graduate Associate Member of HCA. When will my status change?

You will cease to be a Graduate Associate Member of HCA when your eighteen-month membership period has expired. The scheme was frozen during lockdown, and so the lockdown period does not count towards your GAM access period if you were a GAM during lockdown.

Why do I have to apply for the scheme? Can’t I get access to CRC automatically as a graduate?

To access CRC facilities you must pass safeguarding and health and safety checks. These are a core part of the application process.