Creative Futures Workshops

Creative Futures Workshops are free practical sessions designed to help emerging creatives develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to build sustainable creative careers.

Led by artists, producers and creative professionals, each workshop focuses on a key aspect of creative practice and provides practical tools you can apply straight away.

Choose a workshop that matches your interests and book a space.

Sessions combine practical guidance, discussion, exercises and opportunities to learn alongside other creatives at a similar stage in their journey.

Self Start: Creative Freelancing 101

When: Tuesday 8 September 2026, 6pm–8pm
Where: Online

Want to do more creative freelancing work, but not sure where to begin?

This practical workshop explores the realities of freelance work as a creative. Together we’ll cover:

• An introduction to HMRC and self-employment
• How to find freelance work
• Setting your rates
• Building your professional profile
• Organising yourself as a freelancer

Leave with a better understanding of freelance life and practical tools you can adapt to your own creative practice.

On Everything: Balancing Work Life as a Multi-Hyphenate Creative

When: Tuesday 13 October 2026, 6pm–8pm
Where: Online

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything as a creative, you’re not alone.

Most early-career creatives work across multiple roles, from making and producing to facilitating and freelancing. This workshop focuses on building a sustainable portfolio career and explores:

• How to identify and package your skills
• Different income streams for creatives
• Making the most of your experience
• Balancing creativity alongside paid work
• Developing a more sustainable way of working

You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what you offer and how to build a career that works for you.

Making Connections: A Shy Person’s Guide to Building Your Creative Network

When: Tuesday 10 November 2026, 6pm–8pm
Where: In-person, Bristol (venue TBC)

Find networking a bit awkward? Us too.

Making Connections brings creatives together with arts organisations from across Bristol and the South West in a relaxed evening of conversation, activities, food and connection.

The focus is on building genuine relationships, sharing work and developing confidence in approaching collaborators, organisations and creative communities.

Dreamspace: A Guide to Creative Facilitation and Co-Creation

When: Tuesday 8 December 2026, 6pm–8pm (TBC)
Where: In-person, Bristol (venue TBC)

Interested in leading creative workshops, projects or participatory activities?

This workshop explores different approaches to facilitation and creative leadership, including:

• Facilitation techniques and leadership styles
• Co-creation and creative agency
• Designing engaging workshops
• Structuring interactive activities
• Useful games, exercises and icebreakers

You’ll leave with fresh confidence and practical tools for leading creative experiences.

Jumpstart: Bring Your Creative Project to Life

When: Tuesday 12 January 2027, 6pm–8pm (TBC)
Where: Online

Got an idea but not sure how to make it happen?

Jumpstart introduces creative producing and project management skills that can help turn ideas into reality. Together we’ll explore:

• Finding collaborators and project partners
• Funding opportunities
• Budgeting and cashflow
• Project timelines and planning
• Evaluation and project reporting

Ideal for anyone looking to develop and deliver their own creative project.

Funded: A Guide to Arts Fundraising

When: Tuesday 9 February 2027, 6pm–8pm (TBC)
Where: Online

Looking for funding for a creative project?

This practical fundraising workshop introduces the key skills needed to secure support for creative work, including:

• Different types of arts funding
• Choosing the right funding opportunity
• Structuring a funding application
• In-kind support and partnerships
• Budget writing

Perfect for creatives looking to understand the basics of fundraising and funding applications.

Make Waves: A Creative’s Guide to Getting Your Work Out There

When: Tuesday 9 March 2027, 6pm–8pm (TBC)
Where: TBC (Online or in-person in Bristol)

Want more people to discover your work?

Make Waves is designed to help creatives develop practical marketing skills and grow audiences for their work. The session explores:

• Building audiences online
• Choosing marketing tools that work for you
• Finding and securing project partners
• Increasing the visibility of your creative practice

You’ll leave with practical ideas, tools and inspiration that can be applied immediately.

Anchored: A Creative’s Guide to Making Work Minus the Burnout

When: Tuesday 13 April 2027, 6pm–8pm
Where: TBC (Online or in-person in Bristol)

Anchored explores how creatives can build sustainable working practices that support both creativity and wellbeing.

Designed for artists and creative freelancers navigating busy workloads, this workshop focuses on developing healthier ways of working while maintaining momentum in your creative practice.

For creatives aged 16+ from any creative discipline who want to develop professional skills, confidence and connections.

No formal qualifications or previous experience required.

Sessions take place online.

After booking you’ll receive joining information and details about your session.

Sign-up by filling out an event enquiry form. Someone from our Creative team will contact you by email to arrange a time that works for you.

Creative Futures Workshops are delivered by Creative Youth Network, Watershed and a range of guest artists, producers and creative professionals from Bristol and beyond. They are funded by: