Want to make this the year to join a creative community or career support network?
Ready to knuckle down on acing a professional quality, like commercialising yourself or making all-important freelance contacts?
Maybe you’ve just got the creative thirst for learning, listening and being inspired by creative luminaries?
Whatever your reasons, we’ve put together a pocket size list of organisers and their live events that lit up the scene in 2018 - ones that we think you should keep your eyes on over the next year!
Uniqlo Tate Lates images courtesy of Jessye Bloomfield, via The Dots
Allbright
This funding, education and support network links female founders to funders and creates an entertaining programme of workshop events in London, Manchester and Glasgow including FoundHER and the AllBright festival.
Barbican
The beloved brutalist structure is home to a programme of free events dedicated to nurturing creativity. 2018’s stand out happenings include Walthamstow Garden Party, Barbican OpenFest and their ever successful 16-25 programmes.
Courier
With the belief that startup culture is changing the world, Courier have positioned themselves at the heart of this revolution, running events that pin down physical space, online presence, sustainability, our generation's love of coffee and much more.
Clever Boxer
With live talks, panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops, Clever Boxer delivers an abundance of resourceful and exceptional learning opportunities.
Creative Equals
Rooted in culture and equality, this diversity organisation provides support, bursaries and programmes with the goal to equalise the creative playing field. Keep an eye out for their jam packed conferences such as #CELeaders.
Image of gal-dem takeover at V&A, courtesy of Ibiye Camp, via The Dots
Creative Social
Creative Social is a set of communities (creative social, brand social, innovation social) with a combined aim to accelerate innovative thinking through social events, thought leadership and specialised training.
D&AD
Design & Art Direction is a charity and awards organisation promoting excellence in both esteemed and emerging creatives. Alongside awards events and fairs, D&AD are always planning panels, workshops and lectures.
For Working Ladies
Applauded for their trailblazing panel discussions, For Working Ladies elevates women in their careers. A 2018 highlight was their ‘Back 2 Bizzness’ workshop series in collaboration with Bumble Bizz - all about exploring self promotion and public speaking.
Future London Academy
Future London Academy creates workshops and interactive experiences within the design sector, hosted by top designers, innovators and creative agencies. Offering a range of professionals programmes and courses - perfect for growing skills and networking.
gal-dem
Spearheading content produced by women and non-binary people of colour, gal-dem is the digital platform reflecting stories in media, art and creative collaborations. Check their facebook for frequent book clubs and more.
General Assembly
Offering a magnitude of educational courses for thriving careerists, this platform specialises in coding, data, marketing, design & product skills - perfect for growing skills portfolios and starting a professional course.
Image of The Barbican's Guildhall Music Sessions via Barbican on The Dots
Glug
Glug is the international network conducting talks and informal chats. With events in New York to Paris, Beijing to Berlin, Glug boasts an alumni of countless incredible speakers spanning design, architecture, tech and more.
It's Nice That
Every last Tuesday of the month, expect East London’s Oval Space to play host to an evening of creative inspiration. The team always have a spectacular programme of four fantastic, candid and ever-eclectic speakers taking to the podium.
LIFE TALKS
L.I.F.E Talks (learning from intelligent, fearless entrepreneurs) is a platform created by Velma Simmons, giving advice on how to access the entertainment industry via lecture style events with high profile speakers.
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery has a busy programme, free for all. Consistent highlights are their ‘Take Notice’ evenings, where visitors can experience art using guided mindfulness techniques and the Philosophy Cafe.
Mellor & Smith: Take Fucking Risks
Embodying the risky nature of the advertising and marketing world is Take f*cking Risks and their top panel events. Last year's highlights included a sold out venue headlined by Cindy Gallop and a pub crawl for creatives.
Image courtesy of For Working Ladies via The Dots
Powersuit Social
With the aim to keep creativity viable in uncertain times, Powersuit Social is an 80s themed event where contemporary creatives discuss current issues, topped with pineapple cheese sticks.
Protein
The co-working studio and events space a stone's throw from Shoreditch High Street saw a very fun and full 2018. With a gathering of cultural events and fashion pop ups, highlights included the Protein Youth Report, Polly Norr's exhibitions and the community art event in aid of period poverty, 'Ovar It'. Look out for 2019.
The Dots Portfolio Masterclasses
Masterclasses roll out monthly to give attendees the unique opportunity to have a portfolio review by leading industry professionals. Previous masterclasses have been hosted at VICE, Spring Studios, AKQA, Royal Academy and have resulted in attendees gaining jobs, opportunities and invaluable connections.
Quarter Club
This leading network for ambitious women & gender non-binary people, forms an authentic, physical space for members to collaborate, converse and support one another. Every quarter, a salon is hosted on a new theme.
Image of She Lights Up the Night exhibition at Protein Studios by Paul Plews via Aine Donovan, on The Dots
Riposte Presents
The Riposte team spotlight dynamic female creatives and extraordinary conversations. Now, with events in Berlin and New York under their belt, the team continue to blossom and bring topics from Tech to Publishing to light with their quality panels and workshops.
She Says
SheSays is the global creative network dedicated to tackling gender leadership imbalance. Watch out for their free mentorship scheme 'Who's your momma?', open to all women, all levels, in the advertising and marketing industry.
SocialFixt
Connecting the dots within the creative industry for BAME talent, SocialFixt provides a digital community of support. Previous panel and session events have included ‘Fix the Gap’ and ‘Fix your CV’.
TATE
Liverpool, London and St.Ives offer a diverse range of events for the public to get stuck into. Tate Lates 2018 proved a big hit, merging music, exhibitions, pop-up talks and playful artistic activations. With a 2019 programme already bursting at the seams, there’s something for everybody with a love for art.
V&A
The V&A is the iconic space home to arts and culture, contemporary and ancient. In 2018, the top museum’s enriching programme of events included drawing sessions, lunchtime lectures, curator talks and exhibition guided tours, on top of exciting collaborations with the likes of gal-dem.
Women Who
Otegha Uwagba, the brains behind Little Black Book, leads ‘Roundtables’ - part mentor sessions, part career clinics in an intimate and relaxed environment to help people navigate tricky career conundrums.
Paola Antonelli image courtesty of Riposte Presents
Companies
Barbican Centre
- Arts and Culture
TATE
- Arts and Culture
V&A
- Arts and Culture
Protein
- Education & Research
The Socials
- Design
General Assembly
- Design
D&AD
- Design
Creative Equals
- Social Enterprise
Future London Academy
- Design
Glug
- Events
The Dots – Portfolio Masterclasses
- Publishing
She Says
- Events
Riposte Magazine
- Publishing
Power Suit Social
- Events
The Quarter Club
- Arts and Culture
Clever Boxer
- Events
It's Nice That
- Publishing
gal-dem magazine
- Media Production
Mellor&Smith
- Advertising
Manchester Art Gallery
- Arts and Culture
For Working Ladies
- Publishing
Life Talks
- Events
AllBright
- Marketing & PR
SocialFixt
- HR and Recruitment
