Our rolling talent Development Programme is here to support you – whether you’re a freelance creative or part of an organisation. With opportunities to network, upskill, and access tailored support, you can pick the tools you need to grow your practice.
Check out what you can expect in 2025 and click the links below to find out more:
Special Opportunities:
As a member of the IW Creative Network, you’ll gain access to exclusive development opportunities designed to elevate your creative practice. These include 1:1 advisory sessions, expert mentoring, professional photoshoots, videography support, and bursary grants. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, these targeted opportunities offer tailored support to help you take your next step with confidence.
Networking Events & Away Days:
Connect with fellow creatives through regular meetups, both online and in-person. Whether you’re attending a local networking event, crit group session or joining an off-Island research day, this is your chance to share ideas, collaborate, and build lasting partnerships.
Creative Training Sessions:
Want to sharpen your skills? Our training sessions – covering everything from website development to creative education workshops – will give you practical tools to apply directly to your work. These sessions are run by industry professionals, provided in-person and online. 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.
Affiliated Networks:
IW Creative Network is proud to work in partnership with key regional and national networks that support artists and creative practitioners across a variety of disciplines. These affiliations help us extend access to opportunities, professional advice, training, and advocacy for our members – ensuring that creatives on the Isle of Wight are connected, represented, and supported.
Whatever your creative practice, our partnerships will help strengthen your creative business through access to wider networks and sector-specific support and development:
- B41 Creative – weekly coworking space for creatives
B41 Creative is a relaxed, weekly coworking space hosted every Thursday at Building 41, Cowes. A collaboration between Building 41, Creative Island and the IW Creative Network, the initiative is open to anyone working in the creative industries – you don’t need to be a member of IWCN to attend. Whether you’re catching up on admin, developing your practice, or just need a change of scene, B41 Creative offers flexible space and time to focus, connect, and share ideas. Pop in and out as needed, or stay for the day – bring your laptop, sketchbook, or just yourself. Find out more and book a session: innovationwight.co.uk/b41-creative - Creative UK membership and early-career support
Creative UK is the national network for the UK’s cultural and creative industries, championing the sector through policy, research, campaigns and events. As organisational members, we’re able to offer free Student & Early Career Membership to all IWCN members – not just students – providing tailored support at the start of a creative career. This includes access to an on-demand video library featuring industry insight and skills debates, monthly online events with early-career creatives sharing practical advice, and paid writing commissions supported by Creative UK’s editorial team. To find out more about our student membership, click here or visit www.wearecreative.uk - Visual Arts South West (VASW)
IW Creative Network is a Steering Group Member of Visual Arts South West – a vital regional network that advocates for the visual arts and supports artists and organisations to thrive across the South West, including the Isle of Wight.
VASW shares opportunities, resources, and news via its popular Directory, listings and newsletters, while offering vital advocacy and development support to those in the sector. With a focus on community, equity and resilience, VASW helps visual artists overcome isolation and economic barriers through a responsive programme shaped by artists and art workers. Find out more: www.vasw.org.uk - Independent Theatre Council (ITC)
IW Creative Network is an ITC Hub Member, which means theatre companies and performing arts producers based on the Isle of Wight can access ITC Hub Associate status by joining our network.
Hub Associates gain access to legal, financial and managerial advice, discounted training, industry resources, and networking opportunities – ideal for those in the early stages of their creative business. This affiliation was developed to support the Island’s theatre sector following conversations with local practitioners in 2023. Find out more and how to join: ITC Hub Associates – IW Creative Network. - Brave Island
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. IW Creative Network are working in collaboration with Brave Island, to provide a series of sessions and events for 14-25 year olds. These opportunities will give young Island people a chance to meet with creative industry professionals, find out about creative careers, how they got to where they are today, and to gain advice and network with other creative young Islanders. To get involved, sign up at www.braveisland.uk.
Learn more about what we did in 2024 & 2023…
Creative Training Sessions 2024
Networking Events & Away Days 2024
Special opportunities 2024
Creative Training Sessions 2023
Networking Events & Away Days 2023
Special opportunities 2023
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.
