Creative Training Sessions – 2025

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 coming up in 2025…

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.

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.
Steve’s work explores disorder by making the familiar unfamiliar, inspired by walking the coast and Flann O’Brien’s fictional philosopher, De Selby. Coastal landscapes reveal instability and the shared forces of survival and growth. His work reflects this, uncovering life’s hidden instabilities and the changing fabric of a world often assumed permanent.

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


CANCELLED – 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.

Unfortunately this event has been cancelled


ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND FUNDING – An introduction to National Lottery Project Grants: Thursday 13 February 2025, 1.30-4pm at Building 41, Cowes

This event is an opportunity to learn more about Art Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants application process and guidance with Ginny Graham, Senior Relationship Manager at the Arts Council, Joe Plumb, Founder of Horse Box Theatre, and visual artist Trudie Wilson. Ginny Graham will provide 121 support for individuals looking to develop their applications. There’ll also be time for coffee and networking after the session.

CLICK HERE to find out more and book your place


CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2024 EVENTS