Creative Island is committed to convening a series of local conversations with the cultural community of each town on the Isle of Wight. The ambition is to speak about and listen to the particular challenges and opportunities that we all face, to explore collaborative opportunities, share information and network with others. One of the 6 places or “towns” that we host these meetings is Newport. Below you’ll find a short summary of each meeting previously held.
January 2026 | This conversation was originally set up to discuss improving our sense of belonging, but we adapted since the topic of the Newport Town of Culture bid was relevant to the now. The general conclusion was that Newport needed to be surprising, mischievous, and ambitious. “Here is what the town is, but here’s what it can be” Fiona Capewell of IOW Council, Shaping Newport and Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council is proposing a follow-up meeting, as part of the Newport Cultural Consortium, on Wednesday February 4th, 1pm as an online Teams meeting. Please email Fiona directly on fiona.capewell@iow.gov.uk for a link.
July 2025 | Focused on Newport’s future, with conversations around young people, belonging, and the need for stronger collaboration across generations and sectors. Attendees highlighted the town’s creative strengths, including Strings, Quay Arts and Independent Arts, alongside a shared call for greater connection, consistency and investment to build on what already exists.
January 2025 | In collaboration with the Newport Cultural Consortium, explored Newport’s identity and achievements across heritage and the creative industries, celebrating a town that embraces change and opportunity.
June 2024 | Marked the first Newport Town Conversations at Newport Minster, bringing over 20 people together to reflect on quality of life in the Island’s central hub. While challenges and fragmentation were acknowledged, there was a strong collective desire to champion Newport’s cultural assets, from theatres and museums to libraries and youth-focused creative spaces.
Newport also has a dedicated WhatsApp group to help keep momentum going, share opportunities, and develop ideas collaboratively between these meetings. If you’d like to be a part of this community WhatsApp group, please email your number to Sam at sam@creativeisland.org.
For future Newport Town Conversations, we’ll update this page and our socials, please connect with us to stay tuned. Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
