A new Cultural Development Agency has been announced for the Isle of Wight. What was previously known as The Island Collection has evolved to become Creative Island.
The news was announced at the recent launch of the new Isle of Wight cultural strategy, where dozens of creative practitioners and arts and heritage organisations came together to find out more.
Shaping the place you live in
Creative Island’s Director, Gavin Stride (pictured left, below), has spent the last six months touring the Island, engaging with decision-makers, creative practitioners and heritage and arts organisations.
Listening to what Islanders had to share with him has helped shape Creative Island’s vision: To ensure that everyone on the Island has the greatest chance to participate in, enjoy and shape the place they live in.
Stride: Already we feel a shift in ambition and energy
Gavin explained,
“This feels like a step change in our activities.
“Although we are a relatively young organisation, I think the process of repositioning who we are has given us the opportunity to better focus our energies and sense of purpose.
“Already we feel a shift in ambition and energy which we are keen to harness.”
NPO status
The launch of Creative Island was held almost one year to the day when Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England, announced exclusively on News OnTheWight that the organisation had been awarded National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status.
This status is guaranteed for three years and secures a budget supporting staff between now and March 2026.
Major projects
Among the major projects that run alongside the strategic and partnership work of Creative Island are the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership (IWCEP) and Isle of Wight Creative Network (IWCN).
Claire Paul (pictured right), lead for IW Cultural Educational Partnership, which engages with schools on the Island to develop a creative curriculum, said,
“It has been so rewarding to see the IW Cultural Education Partnership grow and develop.
“Now with a strong network of committed, cultural professionals and educators we are continuing to find new ways to ensure that every young person growing up on the Isle of Wight can benefit from its world class cultural assets.”
Newman: A strong appetite to work collaboratively
Georgia Newman (pictured middle), the founder of IW Creative Network (now boasting more than 170 members) and Deputy Director of Creative Island, said,
“I’m thrilled to continue leading on the IW Creative Network and build on the already brilliant partnerships within Creative Island.
“It is a very exciting time to develop and nurture the ambitions of creative practitioners and organisations on the IW.
“There is a strong appetite to work collaboratively, share skills, and strengthen our creative workforce and resilience in the sector.”
Visit the Creative Island website to find out more about the organisation and to watch a short video intro from Gavin Stride.
You can also sign up via the website to the new Creative Island newsletter to stay up to date with the latest developments.
