In March 2020, Voluntary Arts launched #CreativeNetwork - a series of online get-togethers open to anyone involved in arts, culture and creativity in order to connect and collaborate in unusual times. Facilitating these conversations has enabled people from across the UK and Ireland to talk with others, develop ideas and projects, and find sustainable ways forward in changing circumstances.

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After more than 100 inspiring sessions since 17 March, we have started to develop successful themed sessions that take place monthly. We'll be continuing these for the foreseeable future and invite anyone interested in these topics to join a session. We will still also be hosting more open 'peer support' sessions, allowing people to raise other topics they'd like to discuss, but we don't intend to run a session every weekday anymore. Each week will still have plenty of discussions open to anyone to join - see what's coming up below. 

Most sessions take place via Zoom between 9:30am and 10:30am, but other times will be marked clearly below. Join any session by clicking the 'Join' link below.

Wednesday 3 March 9.30am - 10.30am	#CreativeNetwork - Coventry Guest speaker: Heather Peak from the Small Bell Rings floating library	Join
Thursday 4 March 9.30am - 10.30am	#CreativeNetwork - Local Arts Wales Theme: Coping creatively - What are the methods and messages for promoting creative activity as a coping mechanism?	Join
Thursday 11 March 2pm - 3pm	#CreativeNetwork - Theatre Theme: Celebrating creative groups	Sign up

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If you have any additional accessibility requirements for Zoom meetings, please contact us at [email protected] in advance and we will do our best to make sessions inclusive for everyone.

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Regular sessions

#CreativeNetwork - Children & Young People 

#CreativeNetwork - Crafts 

#CreativeNetwork - Coventry 

#CreativeNetwork - Dance 

#CreativeNetwork - Devon 

#CreativeNetwork - Local Arts Wales 

#CreativeNetwork - London 

#CreativeNetwork - Science & Art 

#CreativeNetwork - South East

#CreativeNetwork - Spaces 

#CreativeNetwork - Theatre 

#CreativeNetwork - West Midlands 

#CreativeNetwork - West Yorkshire 

 

The sessions above are particular areas of focus that we have embarked on recently, either because of local capacity or specific skills and interests. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every location or art form, but we hope there is something that interests everyone. We will continue to host open sessions for wider discussions so do check the weekly schedule above for details.

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#CreativeNetwork Clips
 

See clips of previous guests on the #CreativeNetwork on our YouTube playlist, including Darren Henley (Arts Council England), Baroness Deborah Bull (Kings College London), Hilary Carty (Clore Leadership), Nick Capaldi (Arts Council Wales), Gary Cameron (Creative Scotland) and Baroness Beeban Kidron (5Rights).

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If you're new to working independently or working from home, try our new Briefing on Remote Working: a guide to working from home. We explain the common tools used in plain English, including video conferencing, cloud storage and live collaboration on documents, plus there are tips on how to manage your work and your workspace to ensure you have an uncluttered mind before and after work.