When you join the Network you’ll get the opportunity to come along to regular Networking events and meet-ups at diverse, creative and cultural spaces around the Island. Aimed to be relaxed and informal, with some guided chit-chat on what we can do collectively as a creative community, to help foster more exciting cultural opportunities for all.
Our networking events and away days off the Island can be booked via the Eventbrite links which will come available in the News & Opps section of the website. Look out for these events 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 events fill up fast – so make sure to book your place!
Networking Events & Away Days in 2026…
GROUP CRIT SESSION: Monday 28 September, 5.30–7.30pm | Quay Arts, Newport
Members are welcome to join in our quarterly group Crit Sessions, chaired by specialist in Artist Support Alys Scott Hawkins. 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.
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.
These sessions are just one of the ways we’re helping Island creatives develop their work, build confidence and connect with one another.
For our September crit session, fine art photographer Zoë Barker will share her ongoing project “Out of Place”, exploring consumerism and discarded objects collected from her local beach in Ryde. Through recent works, Zoë transforms beach-found rubbish into striking photographic compositions that contrast visual beauty with the troubling environmental reality they represent. With work from the project also on exhibition at Quay Arts, this Crit will offer a chance to view the work in situ and help Zoë explore where the project might go next.
Click here to find out more & book your place. Spaces limited.
Provided in collaboration with Quay Arts in Newport, these sessions are for creatives working in disciplines such as visual & performance art, animation, moving image, sound, photography, craft, and limited to max 20 places within each group.
Want to present your work at a future Crit? Email georgia@iwcreativenetwork.com with a short outline and links to your work.
IWCN PEER SUPPORT SESSIONS
First session: Thursday 1 October, 6–8pm | Building 41, Cowes
Drinks & snacks provided
What if some of the best support for your creative practice was already within the Creative Network?
This autumn we’re launching “Peer Support Sessions” – a new series of facilitated monthly conversations for IW Creative Network members.
These aren’t workshops or traditional networking events. Instead, they’re small, supportive groups where creatives come together around shared challenges such as funding, marketing, pricing, AI, confidence, finding opportunities and maintaining creative momentum.
Together, we’ll exchange ideas, learn from one another, build meaningful connections and leave with practical actions to help move our creative practice forward.
Before we begin, we’d love your help shaping the sessions. Complete our short survey to tell us what’s most important to you right now and register your interest in attending the first session.
To find out more & register CLICK HERE.
ISLAND WRITERS CREATIVE PRACTICE WORKSHOP AWAY DAY
Tbc: Wednesday 2 December, all day | Mayflower Studios, Southampton
Join us for a practical and inspiring workshop day at Mayflower Studios in Southampton, delivered by ArtfulScribe, designed for Island and Southampton based writers looking to develop their practice, strengthen the business side of what they do and think about what comes next.
The day will combine practical workshops, discussion and peer learning, with plenty of opportunity to explore ideas, challenges and next steps alongside other creatives. There will also be an opportunity to perform work-in-progress in front of a live audience and peers at the end of the day.
More information coming soon. In the meantime, to register your interest, please email georgia@iwcreativenetwork.com
Past Networking Events & Away Days in 2026
COFFEE & CHAT SESSIONS for 14-25 year olds
Next session: Thursday 25th June, 10.30am-12pm | Ventnor Exchange | FREE
Book here!
IW Creative Network are working in collaboration with Brave Island to provide a series of ‘Coffee & Chat’ sessions for 14-25 year olds. Each month, along with a small group, you have the chance to meet with a different industry professional and find out about their creative job, how they got to where they are today, or ask for any advice they have to offer.
At this months Coffee & Chat session, join Gary Wallis for a conversation about how he has built his career as a freelance photographer for over 30 years, working mainly in fashion and portraiture.
Brave Island is a platform set up through Ventnor Exchange, to provide more creative opportunities to 14-25 year olds living on the Isle of Wight. They offer mentoring, funding, experiences, and training, there’s something new every week and everything is completely free to take part in.
Venue address: Building 41, Newport Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8BX
To attend a Coffee & Chat session you must be aged 14-25 and need to sign up at www.braveisland.uk. Then just book your place HERE via the Brave Island website and tell us why you would like to take part.
Visual Arts South West Networking Gathering
Wednesday 8 July, 6.30–8.30pm | Quay Arts, Newport | FREE
Join us for an informal evening with the team from Visual Arts South West (VASW), the regional development organisation supporting visual artists and the visual arts sector across the South West.
Co-Directors Hannah Rose and Lucy Badrocke will share an overview of VASW’s work, current opportunities and plans for the region, followed by time for questions, discussion and networking with fellow artists and creatives.
This free event is open to visual artists, makers, curators, producers and anyone with an interest in the visual arts. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, learn more about regional opportunities or connect with peers, we’d love to see you there.
For more information & to book your place, click here!
GROUP CRIT SESSION: Monday 20 July, 5.30–7.30pm | Quay Arts, Newport | FREE
Facilitated by artist support specialist Alys Scott-Hawkins, our quarterly Group Crits are open to creatives working across visual and performance art, animation, moving image, sound, photography and craft. Each session invites one artist to share work-in-progress with a small group and receive honest, constructive feedback in a supportive setting.
This session will feature Lisa Heath, an Island-based artist whose sculptural practice combines hand-worked silver, textiles and salvaged materials. Lisa is currently developing work for her first solo exhibition, “Freedom as a State of Mind”, exploring themes of the human condition, accessibility and new disciplines including sound, video and kinetic sculpture.
Click here to find out more & book your place. Spaces limited.
CREATIVES’ BRUNCH AT VENTNOR FRINGE 2026: Wednesday 22 July, 12.30 – 2pm | FREE
Ingrams Yard, Dudley Rd, Ventnor PO38 1EF
Join us during Ventnor Fringe this year for a relaxed Creatives’ Brunch, hosted by us – the IW Creative Network. Held at Ingrams Yard – right in the heart of the festival – this informal meetup offers a chance for performers, creatives and curious attendees to connect, chat, and share ideas. Whether you’re part of the Fringe or just keen to meet others in the creative community, all are welcome.
Enjoy a drink, network with others and hear from our IW Creative Network lead, Georgia Newman, who will share more about the support we’re currently offering creatives across the Isle of Wight including, networking, mentoring, training, and the launch of our new micro bursaries!
This event is are open to creatives, artists and students of any discipline, whether or not you’re performing at Ventnor Fringe.
Other Artist Networking Events:
Artists’ Breakfast hosted by Gallery 44
Saturday 18 July | 11:00 – 12:30 | Fringe Village | Ventnor Park | FREE
An informal, social event with free pastries to meet fellow performers and creatives. Network, meet new people. Hosted by Mark Cosby, creator of Gallery 44 in Ventnor High Street, a community gallery. You can opt into a paint along with Mark, all materials provided.
Artists’ Breakfast hosted by Arts Council England & Crying Out Loud
Friday 24 July | 11am – 12.30pm | Fringe Village | Ventnor Park | FREE
Led by Abigail McQuater, Relationship Manager at Arts Council England (with responsibility for the Isle of Wight), Abi will discuss how you can access opportunities through ACE’s grant and funding programmes with Crying Out Loud.
You can book tickets for any of these Ventnor Fringe events here
SCRATCH NIGHT AT VENTNOR FRINGE 2026:
Sunday 26 July, 7–8.30pm | Bosco Theatre in Ventnor Park | Pay What You Can
This collaborative event between IW Creative Network and Mayflower champions new work, giving artists the chance to test ideas, receive audience feedback and take the next step in developing their practice.
Click here to find out more about our four acts testing out brand-new work, as well as our MC host for the event!
Book your ticket to the Scratch Night event here!
COFFEE & CHAT SESSIONS for 14-25 year olds
Next session: Sunday 26th July, 4-5pm | Ventnor Park – Putting Green | FREE | Just turn up!
EVENT UPDATE: SORRY THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED
IW Creative Network are working in collaboration with Brave Island to provide a series of ‘Coffee & Chat’ sessions for 14-25 year olds. Each month, along with a small group, you have the chance to meet with a different industry professional and find out about their creative job, how they got to where they are today, or ask for any advice they have to offer.
At this months Coffee & Chat session (as part of Ventnor Fringe), join Fee Walker – Artist Development Programme Leader at Mayflower. Mayflower’s Artist Development offer includes artist residencies, 1-1 artist support, scratch nights and much more. The Mayflower Propel Artist Network is free to join and members benefit from free networking and professional development events, regular updates and opportunities from Mayflower as well as discounted tickets. More information on the Artist Development programme and signing up to the artist network can be found here: Artist development | Mayflower.
Brave Island is a platform set up through Ventnor Exchange, to provide more creative opportunities to 14-25 year olds living on the Isle of Wight. They offer mentoring, funding, experiences, and training, there’s something new every week and everything is completely free to take part in.
Venue address: Ventnor Park, Putting Green (just outside of the Bosco Theatre), Park Avenue, Ventnor, IW PO38 1LB.
To attend a Coffee & Chat session you must be aged 14-25 and need to sign up at www.braveisland.uk. Then just book your place via the Brave Island website and tell us why you would like to take part.