As part of our ongoing talent development programme, the IW Creative Network hosted a free research and networking day to Southampton for members to gain insight, inspiration and sector connections. The day brought together 12 creatives from across the Island for curated visits to three cultural spaces – each offering a different lens into heritage, contemporary art, and creative practice.
Date: Friday 11th July 2025
Location: Southampton
With support by Red Funnel Ferries
What we did:
Southampton City Art Gallery
We began the day with a behind-the-scenes tour of the gallery, currently undergoing a major refurbishment supported by Arts Council England and Southampton City Council. Curators Dan and Jess gave us access to parts of the building not usually open to the public and shared the story behind its vast collection – over 4,000 works dating back to a 1911 bequest from Robert Chipperfield.
Find out more about the refurbishment.
John Hansard Gallery
Next, we explored JHG’s bold summer exhibition New World Order, which tackled themes of global identity, resistance and place through video, installation and performance by artists including Mykola Ridnyi, Morgan Quaintance, Jumana Manna, Abu Asad and Kin Structures (Kwame Lowe and Arman Nouri).
Explore the John Hansard Gallery programme.
The Arches Studios at God’s House Tower
We ended the day at the opening of Inside the Artist’s Studio, celebrating 20 years of the Arches Studios, home to over 20 creatives in central Southampton. The event offered an insight into artist studio culture and highlighted the power of dedicated creative spaces. We also heard from a space arts Director Dan Crow, and others involved in founding the studios – including Mick Smith, who also serves as a creative mentor for the IW Creative Network. Check here for our lasted mentoring opportunity with Mick Smith for IWCN members.
More on the Arches Studios and exhibiting artists here.
Key takeaways:
- Access to affordable, dedicated creative space can have a transformational impact on practice
- Partnerships between galleries and artists are key for career development
- Seeing other cities’ cultural infrastructure helps Island-based creatives think bigger
- Collective experiences like this build stronger networks and confidence
Thinking of joining the next one?
We run off-Island research and networking visits a couple of times a year. Open to IW Creative Network members of all disciplines – these are free to attend and supported by our partners.
Find out more & join the IW Creative Network: https://iwcreativenetwork.com/about-us/
For more information about past or upcoming away days, please contact georgia@iwcreativenetwork.com
SAVE THE DATE: Next away day to Portsmouth on Thursday 25th September 2025 for Portsmouth Creates ‘We Connect!’ event
