The Art Workers’ Guild
The Art Workers’ Guild
The Art Workers’ Guild is launching the Creative Connections programme for 2026/27. The purpose of the programme is to create a space for creative people who are in the early stages of establishing themselves professionally to build supportive networks, develop their professional practice and get to know the Guild.
Successful applicants to Creative Connections will join a small cohort for the year-long programme. The programme will include hands-on workshops, talks, discussions and social events - all opportunities to exchange insights and ideas, encourage each other and navigate the challenges of sustaining a career.
The programme starts in September 2026.
’I’ve really enjoyed the Creative Connections programme, everyone is so supportive…I think it’s quite hard starting out and it’s felt reassuring to have this group.’
’Because the group is diverse, and everyone has had different experiences and different amounts of time in their industry, I think we have a lot to offer one another.’
’The journey with Creative Connections has been transformative... For me, the experience has fostered a sense of being enveloped and accepted into a venerable institution with a group of diverse but like-minded individuals, providing a sense of belonging and community.’
The programme is for creative people* who:
And who:
Please note: there is no age limit to participate in this programme.
* Our definition of creative people includes (but is not limited to): makers, architects, designers, art historians, curators, craftspeople, artists. Please take a look at the Guild’s membership page to get a sense of the very wide variety of disciplines within our membership; you’ll see the Guild takes a broad approach to creativity.
Creative Connections is a one-year programme of events that will introduce you to other emerging creatives and to more established practitioners. The events will be a chance to learn new skills, discuss professional knowledge and experience, and develop a supportive, friendly network.
The Guild has around 400 members from a very wide range of disciplines and professional fields, many of whom will contribute to the programme in some way. However, this programme is not about matching you with a mentor in the same field – it is about finding common ground and unexpected connections with people in other disciplines. It is this kind of cross-pollination that makes the Guild a unique place and it is why we are inviting applications for emerging makers to join the conversation.
The programme begins in September 2026 and will conclude in September 2027. Events will be spread across the year, usually on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings.
Hands-on creative workshops: The workshops will offer a convivial chance to learn a new skill or to find parallels and connections with other people’s ways of working.
Discussion evenings: These informal events will invite programme participants and Guild members to get together to discuss different aspects of establishing and sustaining a creative professional practice or to share projects and work in progress. Some discussions may be quite practical (commissions, residencies, studios etc) while others might explore more creative or ethical questions.
Studio Visit days: These days will offer a peek into the working spaces of Guild members and insights into how they’ve developed their creative practice.
Access to the Guild’s Ordinary meetings in 2026 and 2027: Guild meetings take place every other Thursday evening. Each meeting includes a talk from an invited guest followed by drinks and sandwiches. Guild meetings offer informal opportunities to get to know Guild members and become part of a friendly, creative community. To see a list of speakers at upcoming Guild meetings, please click on this link. Guild Ordinary meetings can be attended in-person and via YouTube.
Participation in a showcase at the end of the programme: Creative Connections participants will be invited to share their work in a showcase event at the Art Workers’ Guild in September 2027 during Open House weekend. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the conclusion of the programme and present your work to the public and invited guests.
Places on Creative Connections are limited so participants are asked to commit to attending as many programme events as possible; the aim is to build supportive networks (that we hope will extend beyond the year of the programme itself) and to get to know each other’s work and ambitions.
We hope that taking part will benefit your professional development and that your skills, insights and perspective will enrich other participants’ experience too. By participating in Creative Connections you will become part of a peer group of creative people from a wide range of disciplines who are interested in building supportive networks and sharing their perspectives.
Please note, Creative Connections is not a mentoring scheme or a business advice course.
For full information please download the information pack here.
The deadline for submission is midnight on Monday 25 May 2026.
Please complete the following and email to catriona@artworkersguild.org :
Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.
Access needs
If you would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format that is a better fit for your access needs please do get in touch with us so that we can discuss the options.