The Future of Creative Work: Creating Conditions for Creative Collaboration

What will the future of creative work look like and what do we need to create the conditions for it to thrive? Creative work is becoming increasingly connected across sectors, disciplines, technologies and borders. New networks, digital tools, emerging technologies and changing markets are opening up new possibilities for creative businesses but meaningful collaboration does not happen by itself. It depends on the right conditions: the relationships we build, the spaces and networks that connect us, the skills and knowledge we share, the technologies we use, and the opportunities that enable businesses to work together. The Future of Creative Work brings together creative businesses, practitioners, researchers, organisations and ecosystem partners to explore what those conditions look like with a particular focus on the potential of cross-border and cross-sector collaboration.The half-day programme moves from evidence and experience to discussion and action, combining research, real-world case studies, panel conversations and an interactive Creative Collaboration Lab. What we'll explore Evidence What is happening across the creative economy? What trends, skills, technologies and business models are shaping the sector, and what does this mean for future growth and collaboration? Experience What can we learn from businesses already collaborating across borders? What makes collaboration possible, what challenges need to be navigated, and what opportunities can emerge that would not exist when working alone? Ecosystem How can spaces, networks and programmes move us from simply knowing each other to actually working together? Emerging technologies How can digital tools, AI and emerging technologies enable new forms of creative practice and collaboration? Action What could we do differently to make creative collaboration, particularly cross-border collaboration, easier, more meaningful and more sustainable? Creative Collaboration Lab The day will finish with an interactive session where participants will work in small groups to explore the conditions for creative collaboration.This is an opportunity to hear from people working across the creative economy, share your own experience, make new connections and contribute to a conversation about what the future of creative collaboration could look like. Come with your experience. Leave with new connections, ideas and possibilities for collaboration. Speakers: • Rebecca Walsh, Big Motive • Lucy Baxter, Queen's University • Rory Clifford, The Sports Games Co. • Jackie Toal, DKIT • Christine James, Blick Studios This event is free, but registration is required. Spaces are limited.