Become a Pie Emerging Artist

We’re looking for six Emerging Artists between the ages of 18-25 years* to join a FREE music development programme worth over £1,200!

This is the seventh year of our flagship programme, starting on 15th April 2026 and running until 16th December 2026, which is designed to help aspiring young artists based in East Kent develop their music careers with professionals. Selected participants will receive comprehensive guidance and invaluable insights into the music industry, covering essential topics such as promotion strategies, rights, management, recording techniques, and live performance, and gain access to East Kent’s vibrant community of like-minded young musicians, seasoned industry professionals and experts, and iconic local music venues.

The programme has already helped 35 young artists progress and develop their skills and learn new attributes to help them thrive as musicians and have a broader understanding of the industry. There have been many successful gigs that the young people have planned, booked and performed during the programme’s duration.

What you’ll gain:

• Access to East Kent’s vibrant community of like-minded young musicians, seasoned industry professionals and experts, and iconic local music venues.
• Industry masterclasses at local venues
• Creative development and ongoing personal support
• One-to-one guidance from a carefully matched mentor
• Insight into key areas of the music industry, such as promotion, rights, management, recording, and live performance.
• The chance to perform at two live shows (June and November), in addition to gigs at local festivals, such as Margate Soul Fest and Ramsgate Festival of Sound. 
• The opportunity to record in a professional studio, get your music mixed and mastered and released on our youth-led record label Wantsum Music? – gaining hands-on experience in releasing music. 

Emerging Artists meet fortnightly on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm, at Pie HQ (Ramsgate Youth Centre) and local venues across Thanet.

How to Apply

Send a short introduction (written or video) to us, including:

• Name, age, location, artist name
• Musical style and career interests
• A short biography
• A recording of your music or a link to an online video.

If you’re interested in the programme from a music industry (non-artist) perspective, such as management, promotion or label work, please include this in your application.

Email applications to moa@piefactorymusic.com by 5pm on Friday 27th March 2026.

What we ask of you:

COMMITMENT – if you are selected to join the programme you must turn up on time, be dependable and reliable at events, and commit to sharing your journey and the work of Wantsum Music? with your followers.

MOTIVATION – we want you to bring your passion, creativity and ambition to the programme, but you will also need to listen, take advice from our leaders and mentors on board, and be willing to learn and grow.

ADVOCACY – you will be a part of the Pie Factory Music family – shout loud and be proud about being an Emerging Artist, and be an inspiring ambassador for our young people and our organisation.

The first Emerging Artists sessions will be on Wednesdays, from 16th April 7-9pm. Please let us know in your application if you can make this date. The sessions will run weekly every Wednesday until 16th December 2026.

*applications of 16+ years may be considered.

This is what our Emerging Artists alumni say:

“Pie Factory Music, they’ve shown me the importance of collaboration. They’ve also shown me a deeper understanding of the music industry, especially with owning your music as well.” Janmakesnoise

“We’ve been to studios and met people who mix and produce, and we’ve met people who run labels. That was so informative to me because as much as I’m an independent artist and I’ve done well in the last year, it made me realise how much I’ve missed having PRS and things like that, that is so important.” Char.B

“It’s been really nice to have a sense of community especially people who are interested in music and similar things, to get to know other people.” Moss.E

“We’ve organised gigs which we’ve performed at. We’ve promoted them. We’ve recorded collaboratively, created collaboratively and worked together.” Motel Green

“Being part of the Pie Factory Music Emerging Artists has been amazing/ It’s been great to meet people that are as passionate about music as I am and being able to explore what I can do. I’m not musically trained so being able to see my art come to life has been really exciting.” Orla

“It was way better than I imagined. My first time doing original stuff, I’m really happy with it.” Fin, musician and producer

“Emerging Artists has been an incredible opportunity. It’s given me a platform, boosted my confidence, got me back to performing and connected me with the music community. I’m inspired by my peers every day. To be around like-minded people is so important.”

Connor Beerling, Emerging Artist 2020-21

Emerging Artist alumni, Elijah says:

“I didn’t just gain confidence and make music at Pie Factory Music, they taught me life skills, like how to collaborate with people, networking skills, how to set up my own gigs and how to approach others in the industry. Zoë was a big inspiration, she showed me how to market myself, and be professional but most of all she helped shape who I am today. I’ve since recorded my first album, performed at gigs in Kent and London, and Pie Factory Music introduced me to another music hub that has offered me funding for a new project.”

Read Elijah’s story

This programme is generously funded by Youth Music.

We did it! Pie Factory Music is now the proud owner of Ramsgate Youth Centre. 

With the sale complete, we have secured the freehold of the site, and our beloved home for the past 13 years, ensuring its future as a youth centre for generations to come.

We are hugely grateful to the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board and Thanet District Council for the capital grant of £535k from the national Pride in Place programme for making this purchase possible. Their commitment safeguards this vital community asset and everything it means to young people locally and beyond. 

Brian Horton, Interim Chair of the Board says “The Board is making a clear statement: we are committed to providing safe, positive spaces for the next generations to thrive. The vision for Ramsgate is clear – ‘Not striving but thriving’ – and you cannot thrive if your young people feel left behind.”

As we’ve said from the start of our #SaveOurYouthCentre campaign – young people deserve better, and we wouldn’t stand for the loss of the last dedicated youth centre in our district.

THANK YOU!

Saving Ramsgate Youth Centre has been a truly collective effort. “We did it” means everyone who has backed our 16-month long campaign – our community, supporters, followers, partners, local politicians from all parties, journalists and importantly, our incredible young people, team, and Board of Trustees.

A huge thank you also goes out to everyone who donated to our #SaveOurYouthCentre crowdfunder – you raised £25k for vital repairs and renovations to the building. This milestone is just the beginning. Our campaign continues to secure ongoing funding for our universal youth services and music and creative arts programmes.

What our young people say:

“I can escape here. Without this security I wouldn’t have a place to just be myself. It’s helped me with my mental health, my confidence. Saving Pie means a lot, they’ve helped me so, so much. Thank you” Rachel

“I love Pie so much. There’s nothing else like this. Before I was doing nothing, but my friend introduced me. It got me out. It makes me happy that they [Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board and the community] see pride in young people, that they believe in us.” Crystal

Watch our Instagram video

What our CEO Zoe says:

“Knowing our future in the building is secure fills us with hope and relief. We are deeply grateful to the Pride in Place programme and everyone who has helped us. A huge thank you also goes out to everyone who donated to our #SaveOurYouthCentre crowdfunder – you raised £25k for vital repairs and renovations to the building. This milestone is just the beginning. Our campaign continues to secure ongoing funding for our universal youth services and music and creative arts programmes.

Now, we call on the Government to fulfil its National Youth Strategy promise to invest an initial £500m to rebuild youth services after 15 years of decline.

 “Youth Matters” must be more than a strategy slogan – young people deserve real investment, not just words. 

We should never have had to campaign to Save Ramsgate Youth Centre, the last dedicated youth centre in the area, in the first place. Our determination to advocate for open access youth services is stronger than ever – this must not happen again. Youth provision should not depend on charities like us alone. That’s why we urge local MPs and the Communities Minister to go further in strengthening statutory protections for youth services and review councils’ statutory duty to provide youth services. We want to work alongside our local authority partners to ensure that inspiring, high-quality, and accessible youth services are available for every young person in our area.

For now, let’s savour the joy and celebrate that our youth centre is here to stay.”

What Thanet District Council says:

Councillor Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, said: “This purchase is great news for Ramsgate and young people in the district. By stepping in to provide the funding for Pie Factory Music to secure the building, we have ensured that a vital community asset remains in the hands of the people who depend on it.

The Pride in Place Programme is about making real changes in Ramsgate and improving the lives of the people that live there. It goes beyond aspirations; it’s about delivering visible, concrete results. Securing the Ramsgate Youth Centre building for Pie Factory Music directly delivers on the ten-year vision which aims to ensure Ramsgate is a place where young people can thrive. The vision is built on the belief that with the right support and investment there could be immense opportunity for young people in Ramsgate.”

Brian Horton, Interim Chair of the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board, said: “The Board is making a clear statement: we are committed to providing safe, positive spaces for the next generations to thrive. The vision for Ramsgate is clear – ‘Not striving but thriving’ – and you cannot thrive if your young people feel left behind.”

Help us spread the joy

You can follow Pie’s progress by:

Joining their free youth sessions if you’re a young person (8 – 18 years)
Sign up for their newsletter for regular news and updates
Follow and share our social media @piefactorymusic
Become a donor to support our ongoing work at www.piefactorymusic.com/donate

Headline news

We’re on the front page of Ramsgate Recorder. Read the article to hear what our young people feel about the news, what Pie means to them and the love they’ve felt from their local community. Copies are available from Pie, and local cafes, restaurants and visitor attractions across the town.

We’ve also made the national news again, thanks to The Guardian. 

We are looking for Creative Practitioners and Youth Workers to start in 2026!

Creative Practitioner

Pie Factory Music is recruiting two new Creative Practitioners to join our team. The role involves delivering our popular Band Room and/or Live Room programmes, our weekly open-access sessions held at Pie Factory Music every Monday and Tuesday from 7-9 pm. You will work alongside the team to facilitate engaging and fun music activities for young people facing challenging circumstances, as well as leading a variety of short music projects and organising in-house and external performances.

Download Job Description

Download Application Form

Youth Worker

Pie Factory Music is seeking motivated and passionate Youth Workers to join our core team and helping to facilitate the successful delivery of our Youth Work Programme. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about young people and who wants to make a positive impact in their lives. The role will involve delivering a range of centre and street-based sessions, working with and supporting young people whilst they engage in positive activities. It will include designing, delivering, and evaluating activities.

Download Job Description

Download Application Form

Applications deadline: Thursday 8th January

Interviews (Youth Worker): Tuesday 13th January – late afternoon/evening
Interviews (Creative Practitioner): Friday 16th January – daytime

Please indicate in your application if you are available during this week.

We are delighted to share that after 15 months of campaigning, the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board has agreed a capital grant of £535,000 from the Pride in Place Programme for Pie to secure freehold ownership of our beloved Ramsgate Youth Centre.

This decision demonstrates a huge commitment by the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board to the safeguarding of this vital community asset, and what it represents for young people in Ramsgate and beyond – and we couldn’t be more grateful.

There is more work to do – the terms of the grant need to be formally agreed by our Board of Trustees, and the decision needs to be ratified by Thanet District Council’s Cabinet. So we’re not quite there yet. But this is a hugely hopeful moment for Ramsgate Youth Centre and Pie Factory Music.

We will keep you all posted with subsequent developments, and we look forward to celebrating with you all as soon as we can! Keep your eyes on our socials and our newsletter for updates in January 👀

Read the full statement from Thanet District Council here: https://bit.ly/4p1Fgqe

This vibrant celebration of culture, connection, and the healing power of food has been created by unaccompanied young people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds who have arrived in Thanet alone.

Featuring over 31 culinary inspirations, with stories and photos, the book is more than a collection of recipes. Every delicious dish tells a story of memory and belonging. Through its pages, readers will taste the incredible community spirit created at this social club, dedicated to supporting these brave 13- to 21-year-olds as they arrive and settle in East Kent. It’s a joyful invitation to explore new flavours, share stories, and simply have a go.

The Open Arms Cookbook celebrates the rich cultures and new connections and sense of home that can come through sharing a meal together. It offers a slice of hope.

Cooking Ghormeh Sabzi, an Iranian herb stew, brings up happy memories of home for Ali*. They’ve been coming to Open Arms since they arrived in the UK alone at the age of 12. Whenever they cook during sessions, they will request this dish, because it reminds them of the times when they ate it with their family at big events and gatherings.

“At Open Arms, we’ve cooked and tasted delicious dishes from across the globe, listening to the stories and memories evoked only when in the kitchen or sitting around the table.

Sharing a dish isn’t just about the food itself, it’s a way of learning something about someone else: who taught you to cook this? What place does this dish hold in your culture? When did you last eat this? We’ve seen how cooking and eating together holds a healing power for the young people who come to Open Arms – offering a way to connect and a chance to feel pride and a sense of home.”

Moa – Open Arms Project lead

Since 2022, Pie has held 157 Open Arms sessions, welcoming over 600 young people from 29 nationalities and cooking 157 fresh meals together.

“This cookbook is for anyone who wants to explore food from across the world, and it is also a resource for foster carers wanting ideas for how to cook with and for the young people in their care.

Buying this book also helps us gift these books for free to refugee or asylum-seeking young people now living alone and cooking for themselves.” – Dylane, Foster carer

Every cookbook purchased helps nourish Thanet’s young people today, to fuel a positive future for them all tomorrow.

Get your Open Arms Cookbook today for £15 – and make a difference this Christmas with every bite. Order at https://shop.piefactorymusic.com/.

Introducing our new employment programme for young people in Thanet.

Thanet has the highest rate of youth unemployment in the South East. 10.1% of 18 to 24-year-olds in Thanet are claiming out-of-work benefits, equating to 935 people.

Our new Pie Pros programme aims to help tackle this disparity by offering weekly work and life skills sessions for 16-20-year-olds who are not currently in employment or education.

Taking place every Wednesday from 1st October to 17th December from 10am – 12 midday at Pie HQ, Ramsgate Youth Centre CT11 0QG, the sessions offer:

• Confidence-building activities and insights.
• Tips and tricks for getting ready for work and life after school/college.
• An introduction to different industries and experts from retail, hospitality, finance, food, sport, animal welfare, music, the creative industries and more, with access to current job opportunities in Thanet.
• 1-2-1 Mentoring from our expertly trained youth workers.
• A life-enriching residential trip to Wales! Packed with new adventures and life skills.

To join the programme, young people need to email us at info@piefactorymusic.com or talk to us in one of our sessions at the youth centre.

We know how overwhelming the thought of leaving school or college can be, and how daunting finding a job can be.

Which is why we’re here to provide a much-needed self-esteem boost and be the support system to help young people on their journey into paid work.

The programme is generously funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund from Thanet District Council.