Dazed Academy is a development and educational initiative providing access and guidance to aspiring creatives who seek a different route into industry.

At a time when arts education is being cut and community spaces are diminishing, creating spaces – both physical and online – for young people is more important than ever. Dazed Academy encourages learning, collaboration, exchange, and discovery.

In March 2020, we held a monthly programme of free talks at 180 The Strand, with Dazed editors empowering and advising those hoping to break into fashion, publishing, writing, social media, video and more.

In 2018, we teamed up with Red Hook Labs – a public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn – to teach a free, weekly photography class at the Rugby Portobello Trust in West London led by photographer Eddie Otchere and Dazed’s arts and culture editor. 

Dazed+Labs is a physical space where young, aspiring photographers learn how to take photos, exhibit their work, and receive advice from leading image makers through weekly classes.

A year later, with the support of Converse, students had the opportunity to lead their own photoshoots in a hired studio, complete with models and styling. Their images were shared in editorials on Dazed, and some of the students have gone on to shoot for the magazine.