The IW Creative Network Development Programme offers a range of Creative Training Sessions, in-person and online, all geared to inform, inspire and help develop your business skills working in the creative industries.
As a member of the network, you get access to all of our previous online Creative Training Sessions, which are recorded and posted on our Resources page of the website.
All Creative Training Sessions must be booked via the Eventbrite links which will come available in the News & Opps section of the website. Look out for these sessions via our Instagram & Facebook pages, and monthly e-newsletter – double check your Spam/Junk folder for our newsletters and mark as ‘safe’.
Please note, spaces for these sessions fill up fast – so make sure to book your place!
Creative Training Sessions in 2024…
We’re all done now for Creative Training Sessions in 2024! Please take a look at the very end of the page on all the sessions we ran this year and don’t forget to check out the Resources page for follow-up information on our sessions.
Our full 2025 Creative Training Sessions line-up will be announced soon, but in the meantime, please check out some of the sessions we have coming up in January 2025 below….
MASTERING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CREATIVES: Thursday 16 January 2025, 11am-1.30pm at Building 41, Cowes
If you’re looking to refine your social media presence and take your digital strategy to the next level – then make sure to join us for an intermediate-level workshop led by the marketing and social media teams at Visit Isle of Wight – the organisation responsible for promoting the Isle of Wight as a top destination in the UK and beyond.
This workshop is ideal for creatives, artists, designers, photographers, musicians, writers, and more who already have some experience with social media but want to enhance their effectiveness on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more & book your place
GROUP CRIT SESSION: Monday 20 January 2025, 6-8pm at Quay Arts, Newport
Provided in collaboration with Quay Arts, members are welcome to join in these bi-monthly group Crit Sessions, chaired by specialist in Artist Support Alys Scott Hawkins. Alys provides guidance and advice to Artists & Creatives to overcome barriers, plan projects and make funding applications. She is a member of the Artist Council: the advisory panel for a-n: the UK’s largest membership organisation for visual artists. Previously she led the Artist Development programme at ‘a space’ arts, Southampton, drawing on her long-standing networks within the arts sector across the region.
A crit is a critique where one creative will be invited at each session to share their work with a group and speak about their work, idea or a project they are pursuing, looking for honest, constructive feedback from other artists. These sessions will be limited to max 20 places within each group.
Presenting at this session: Artist, Steve Baxter
If you would like to be considered for further group Crit Sessions, please email [email protected] a brief outline of what you’d like to present, along with any links to your work and technical requirements to show your work.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more & book your place
DELIVERING CREATIVE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS: Thursday 30 January 2025, 11am-1pm at Building 41, Cowes
An opportunity to learn about local authority schemes i.e. HAF, Wrap Around and Early Help, understand what additional training is required ie Ofsted, safeguarding, and funding streams available that align with these projects. These local authority programmes ensure children have access to childcare before and after school and, for those children who are eligible access to holiday childcare. We’ll hear case studies on how other creatives have successfully delivered educational workshops, and Community Action will provide support on organisational governance. There’ll also be time for coffee and networking after the session.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more & book your place
PAST 2024 EVENTS….
USING AI FOR CREATIVE FREELANCERS: Wednesday 13 November 2024, 10am-12pm, Online (Zoom)
Use AI to save time, and as a support and access tool, to help you write and to get work done.
Do you find it difficult to get started, to get your ideas out of your head and into words? Or are you doing 50 things at once, on your own, or on unpaid time, and want to make it easier? This is where AI can help.
This training focuses on using AI to help write documents and complete common freelancer tasks faster. Delivered by Christina Poulton, who provides support for arts freelancers to get stuff done.
Members of the IW Creative Network are invited to join in this opportunity to leverage AI in your creative freelance work.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more & book your place
GROUP CRIT SESSION: Monday 18 November 2024, 6-8pm at Quay Arts, Newport
Provided in collaboration with Quay Arts, members are welcome to join in these bi-monthly group Crit Sessions, chaired by specialist in Artist Support Alys Scott Hawkins. Alys provides guidance and advice to Artists & Creatives to overcome barriers, plan projects and make funding applications. She is a member of the Artist Council: the advisory panel for a-n: the UK’s largest membership organisation for visual artists. Previously she led the Artist Development programme at ‘a space’ arts, Southampton, drawing on her long-standing networks within the arts sector across the region.
A crit is a critique where one creative will be invited at each session to share their work with a group and speak about their work, idea or a project they are pursuing, looking for honest, constructive feedback from other artists. These sessions will be limited to max 20 places within each group.
If you would like to be considered for further group Crit Sessions, please email [email protected] a brief outline of what you’d like to present, along with any links to your work and technical requirements to show your work.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more & book your place
GROUP CRIT SESSION – PERFORMANCE ART FOCUS: Monday 23 September 2024, 6-8pm at Quay Arts, Newport
At this session, performer and writer Andrew Butcher will present his ACE funding project, “Identity Crisis,” which explores themes like identity, mental health, and personality masking. Your feedback will be crucial in helping Andrew develop his project.
Chaired by Alys Scott Hawkins, expert in artist support. This is a great chance to get constructive critique, network with fellow performers, and enhance your craft.
If you would like to be considered for September’s group Crit Session, please email [email protected] a brief outline of what you’d like to present, along with any links to your work and technical requirements to show your work.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT FOR CREATIVES: Thursday 12 September 2024, 11am-1pm at Building 41, Cowes
Join us for a FREE hands-on training session on Website Development for Creatives, delivered by the innovative NOSY Creative Agency! We recently conducted a survey and heard your call for support in Website 101.
This session will cover everything you need, from hosting and domain essentials to SEO and image protection. Whether you’re new to website building or looking to refine your skills, this session is for you! There will also be time for networking after the session.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more
BI-MONTHLY CRIT SESSIONS: Monday 13 May & Monday 15 July 2024, 6-8pm
Provided in collaboration with Quay Arts, we are offering bi-monthly group Crit Sessions for creatives working in disciplines such as visual arts, animation, moving image, photography and craft, chaired by specialist in Artist Support Alys Scott Hawkins.
If you would like to be considered for future group Crit Sessions, please email [email protected] a brief outline of what you’d like to present, along with any links to your work and technical requirements to show your work.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more
WORK/LIFE/BALANCE: Monday 19 February 2024, 6-8pm
Join us with Artist and specialist in Artist Support, Alys Scott Hawkins for this unique session and first networking event of 2024 on developing a balance between life and sustaining a creative practice for members of the IW Creative Network.
This will take place at Building 41, Northwood and there will be plenty of time for networking after the discussion.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more
THEATRE TOUR BOOKING WORKSHOP & NETWORKING: Tuesday 23 January 2024, (half day)
We have arranged an exciting workshop session and networking event for the Island’s theatre network at the Apollo Theatre in Newport. Mark Makin from ‘makin projects’ will be coming to the IW to run a half day, afternoon workshop on theatre tour booking.
Followed by an introduction to Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants and Developing Your Creative Practice fund, by theatre Relationship Manager for Arts Council England South West, Ginny Graham.
Members CLICK HERE to find out more
