Grants available for arts and culture organisations to enhance fundraising skills
Charitable and not-for-profit organisations working in the arts, culture and heritage sectors can now apply for grants of up to £2,500. The Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy funding aims to develop skills and build collaboration among fundraising professionals, addressing the growing challenges arts organisations face in sustaining their work. Extra support for accessibilityApplicants can also request […]
Isle of Wight launches national exemplar nature recovery strategy
The Isle of Wight has launched its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), a major plan to restore and protect the Island’s wildlife and habitats. The strategy received unanimous approval from government and has been described as a national exemplar for England. A pioneering approach to reversing nature lossThe Island’s LNRS is only the fourth to […]
Nature Calling initiative invites fresh perspectives from writers and filmmakers
The Isle of Wight National Landscape Partnership (formerly known as the AONB) has announced two new creative commissions as part of a national programme called Nature Calling. This project invites Island residents to bring fresh voices and perspectives to the landscape through writing and film. Two commissions now openThe programme includes two funded opportunities: a […]
New art venues on the Isle of Wight celebrate creativity and community connection
The Isle of Wight’s cultural landscape has recently flourished with the opening of two new art galleries: The Mead Gallery in Ryde’s Monkton Village and Gallery 44 in Ventnor. The Mead Gallery: A New Beacon in RydeThe Mead Gallery has now opened opposite Monkton Arts in Ryde, further cementing the area’s reputation as a vibrant […]
Past Futures – a people’s history of the Isle of Wight: a new heritage fund for the Island
Creative Island, in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation is pleased to be launching a new heritage fund – ‘Past Futures’ – A People’s History of the Isle of Wight. ‘Past Futures’ is an 18 month programme funded by The National Heritage Lottery Fund to broaden the range of voices telling the […]
NOW CLOSED. Join the team – we’re hiring for a Project Producer
Creative Island is looking for an experienced Producer to oversee the successful delivery of a Place Partnership for the Isle of Wight. Can You Hear Us? is a £700,000 multi strand programme of activity, working across the Island with a range of delivery partners to champion all that the Island is as a place to […]
Solent Cultural Forum calls for collaboration, devolution and stronger cultural leadership
The first Solent Cultural Forum, held in Southampton last week, brought together voices from across the region’s cultural sector to explore how collaboration and devolution could shape its future. Opening the morning session, Gavin Stride (Creative Island’s Director) emphasised a shift in thinking—from ownership to sharing—as a defining feature of successful cultural work. He encouraged […]
Creative Island secures £704,000 to boost cultural initiatives across the Isle of Wight
Creative Island is pleased to announce that they have secured £704,000, including £440,000 from Arts Council of England towards a year-long series of activities designed to celebrate the Isle of Wight as a forward looking and ambitious set of distinctive communities. A place in which young people can flourish and which nurtures creativity by everyone […]
Isle of Wight Book Awards 2025: Entries now open for Island-inspired authors
Writers with a passion for the Isle of Wight—whether drawn from its landscapes, history, or people—can now enter their work for the 2025 Isle of Wight Book Awards. The Awards, which open for submissions from 1st April, celebrate books that feature the Island as a central thread. Now in their fourth year, they aim to […]
The first Solent Cultural Forum takes place in Southampton
Creative Island, Portsmouth Creates and Southampton Forward are pleased to announce the first Solent Cultural Forum, taking place on Thursday April 3rd 2025, from 11am- 2pm at Southampton Football Club. Designed as an opportunity to connect, share and better understand the context and current dynamics across the Solent, this is an informal gathering of all those working in and […]