Future Creative Careers Week 2026 has completed its third year, with the programme continuing to connect young Island people with creative industry professionals.
This year, 36 professionals from on and off the Isle of Wight delivered over 80 workshops across 27 educational settings, spanning more than 2,000 Primary, Secondary and Post-16 pupils.
Island-wide collaboration
Claire Paul, Creative Island’s Education Director, reflected warmly on the week’s success.
She said,
“It is such a pleasure to see this week come together through the collaboration of schools and industry professionals who care so deeply about the future of our Island’s young people.”
Claire added that the experience of speaking with children throughout the week gave her a clear sense of the impact creative subjects have on young people’s engagement with school more broadly.
She said,
“Creative subjects and the freedom to be creative in their learning ignites imagination and motivates them to attend school and try hard in all their subjects.”
Broadening horizons
Creative Island runs the programme through the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership (IWCEP), which works to connect schools with the creative sector and embed creativity across all aspects of learning, supporting teachers through workshops, professional development, and artist collaborations.
A teacher at Oakfield Primary CE described the difference the week made for their pupils.
They said,
“It is so important for our children to have their aspirations broadened.
“They do not have the cultural capital to enable them to consider a range of different career options such as these.”
The teacher also noted one particularly touching moment,
“One child, who does not show emotions easily, was caught on camera, relaxed and smiling – this was a joy to see.”
Looking ahead
Future Creative Careers Week will return from Monday 1st to Friday 5th February 2027.
