As part of our rolling development programme, members will be able to apply for special opportunities to help develop their creative practice, which include 121 advisory sessions, mentoring, photoshoots and bursaries.
Online applications to these opportunities will come available in the News & Opps section of the website. Look out for these opportunities 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 opportunities are limited – so make sure to spend some time on your application. If you have any questions or require support filling out the online application forms, please email [email protected].
Special Opportunities in 2024…
121 CREATIVE ADVISORY SESSIONS – ONLINE WITH ALYS SCOTT HAWKINS
Over the next 12 months, we’ll be offering 16 2hr long advisory sessions to be released quarterly to individual creatives, online.
Round 1 of applications will open in April for 4 sessions to be taken in May or June 2024. Another 4 sessions will be available for creatives to apply for in July to be taken in Aug or Sept for Round 2. Then again in Oct for Nov/Dec for Round 3, and finally in Jan 2025 for Feb/Mar 2025 for Round 4.
Alys is a specialist in Artist Support, providing guidance and advice 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.
What others have said:
“I was at a crossroads with my work so gave the 121 a go. Alys was a great listener and teased out new directions I’d never imagined – I now feel much more confident going forward. I’ve started to apply what we discussed and really pleased with the results.” James Lord, artist.
“Alys and I talked for 2 hours and it flew by. The session was well constructed and her ability to communicate how the session would go was great. I was able to talk about my work and where I wanted it to go. Alys was incredibly skilful in bringing out of me things I’d never verbalised before. It was extremely helpful and it gave me clarity on aspects of my work. Since the session my work flow has improved significantly. I can recommend Alys to anyone who needs some sensitive and thoughtful mentoring.” Babs Gowan, artist.
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.
APPLY FOR CURRENT ROUND: MEMBERS CLICK HERE.
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ROUND 4: Monday 13 January 2025, 12pm noon.
BURSARY GRANTS FOR IW CREATIVES!
This summer, all members of the IW Creative Network are eligible to apply for a bursary grant of £1000 to help develop their creative practice or seed fund a project, event or activity, either as a group or as an individual (please note, cannot be used as match funding for ACE grants).
There are x3 £1000 bursaries available to apply for with additional mentoring support! Bursary recipients will need to deliver a public engagement event, demonstrating how they have utilised the bursary to develop your creative practice either individually or as a group – this could be in person or online later this year. Click here to check out our two bursary recipients from 2023.
MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE & APPLY!
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Monday 8 July 2024, 12pm noon.
121 CREATIVE BUSINESS MENTORING – ONLINE WITH MICK SMITH
This year, we’re offering x5 places to creative and cultural organisations a series of online mentoring sessions. These sessions are aimed at organisations wanting to focus on sustainability and growth. This offer is intended to support organisations who are already constituted/incorporated (although we will consider those on the verge of this).
Mick Smith has a long history of providing creative business mentoring including for Creative Growth Southampton, IW Creative Network, and Solent LEP. He has also been a core team member of the ‘Flying Start’ Programme (providing entrepreneurship and business support to graduate creative businesses across the UK).
Mick also has held a portfolio of management and organisational development roles, including at Director level both for Bridport Art Centre and Quay Arts. He has managed the delivery of a creative industries business incubation space at Arts University Bournemouth, providing bespoke organisational development support on behalf of the Creative Industries Development Agency in Tower Hamlets, and supporting the significant growth and development of ‘a space’ arts in Southampton for 15 years (including 9 years as Chair of Trustees).
MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE & APPLY!
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Monday 20 May 2024, 12pm noon.
PHOTO SHOOTS WITH PHOTOGRAPHER JULIAN WINSLOW
Island-based Photographer Julian Winslow will provide bespoke Photo Shoots in 2024 for creatives and organisations working in any discipline.
We are offering x10 places for members of the IW Creative Network to apply for this special opportunity. Julian will provide a day’s photo shoot and produce a series of fully edited images which creatives can use to help promote their creative business. He will provide creatives with advice on how to create professional images which they can recreate themselves – providing expert advice and how-to hints and tips on things like correct colour continuity and reducing reflections.
Julian has extensive experience in location photography, shooting for clients such as Liz Earle, Rolling Stones Exhibition Cover, Ventnor Arts Club, Grand Design Magazine, Capital Radio, Bestival, IW Festival, The Dorchester Group as well as numerous artists across the IW and South region.
MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE & APPLY!
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Monday 29 April 2024, 12pm noon.
121 CREATIVE BUSINESS MENTORING SESSIONS – IN-PERSON WITH JEANETTE HOWELLS FEB/MAR 2024
Want to move your creative practice onto the next level? Embrace the next challenge? Become better connected and overcome barriers? Experienced entrepreneur Jeanette Howells can give you the reassurance and tools you require to move your creative business in the right direction.
x10 places are available, to be delivered over a 2hr session. Sessions will be held in-person at Building 41, Northwood in Feb/Mar 2024. If a second session is required, (this is optional) it can be in person or via Zoom, dates to be arranged with the mentee.
Jeanette Howells has built up a successful reputation for understanding, supporting and working with organisations across south of England and has often worked in partnership with local public sector organisations and enterprise agencies.
“I have enjoyed a successful entrepreneurial career working across several sectors spanning over many years. I’ve been a freelancer, operated a small business and worked for large corporate organisations. It’s not always been easy but I’ve learned from my mistakes and, as a business coach, have helped creatives and influencers along the way. I have received national acclaim for my entrepreneurial spirit and have delivered presentations to large audiences to influence and change cultural thinking. I now work within interior design and inspire imagination through the use of colour.”
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Mon 29th January 2024, 12pm noon. These sessions are provided on a first come first served basis, but you will need to fill out a short application form in order to apply.
Members click here to apply. All applicants will be contacted shortly after the deadline to inform them on their date/time slot.
Not a member? Not a problem! You can join the IW Creative Network at any time but there will be specific deadlines to apply for special opportunities throughout the year. Click here to join or login to renew your membership and see what’s included.
If you have any questions or require support filling out the online application forms, please email [email protected]
