Aspiring Creatives Networking Forum
- Date
- 2 July, 2026
- Start time:
- 16:00
- Venue Name
- Corn Exchange
Description
Interested in the creative industries but not sure where to start? Join us at Cambridge Corn Exchange for a free evening of networking, mentoring, industry insight and creative opportunity!
Aspiring Creatives Networking Forum brings together creative organisations, employers, festivals, artists, producers and practitioners from across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire, creating opportunities to make connections, discover pathways into the sector and better understand the many careers that exist within the creative industries. Participating organisations include BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Wild in Art, Art Streets, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge Film Festival, Cambridge Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambridge BID, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Le Claires Marketing Agency, Absolute AV Solutions, Sanskruti Dance and more.
Throughout the evening you'll have the opportunity to meet organisations, speak directly with industry professionals, explore creative opportunities, take part in interactive activity and connect with fellow creatives from across the region. Experienced creatives from Cam Creatives CIC will also be offering informal mentoring and advice sessions, providing attendees with the opportunity to ask questions, gain feedback and build new connections.
Alongside the networking activity, attendees will be able to attend a series of short professional development talks.
Arts Council England will be sharing insight into Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP), wider funding opportunities, what strengthens an application and practical advice for early-career creatives looking to develop their practice and navigate the sector.
The programme will also feature ‘Starting Your Own Creative Venture’ with Jane Rich, Deputy CEO of Support Cambridgeshire. Drawing on her experience founding and leading Cambridge Community Arts, Jane will share practical advice, lessons learned and the key ingredients needed to turn a creative idea into a sustainable organisation.
Whether you're studying, freelancing, making work independently, considering a career change or simply curious about the creative sector, this event is designed to be welcoming, accessible and full of opportunity. We hope to see you there!
Accessibility Information
If you would like to book accessible seating, your account with the Cambridge Corn Exchange must have a tag applied to it. Please email tickets@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 357851 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)* to request we add this tag to your account. Please read our access document in advance of booking to ensure the tickets you book are the most suitable.
Access to the box office
The Box Office for the Corn Exchange is called Cambridge Live Tickets and is located left of the venue, two doors down (next to the restaurant Steak & Honour.)
The Cambridge Live Tickets Box Office is currently closed, however, when there is a performance taking place the Box Office opens at 6pm (or an hour before a matinee starts) and closes half an hour after the start time (or until 9pm for standing performance.)
Here is a summary of Box Office features:
- Lowered kerb providing level access
- Automatic sliding doors to Box Office
- Large print seating plans
- A lowered counter
- An induction loop
- Wi-Fi
Audio Loop
There is an infra-red hearing enhancement system which can be used either with, or without a hearing aid. The system only works in the auditorium and balcony. The headphones and receiver can be obtained from the steward at the Customer Services Desk. No deposit is required but the stewards will ask for your name and seat number” There are 6 sets available which consist of, a headset, receiver and neck loop. There are certain areas within the auditorium where the system doesn’t work:- Rows S to Z, seats 1 to 8 (House Right), at the rear of the auditorium. Rows XF to XK Rows O to R, seats 1 to 4 Using the system with a hearing aid Headphones are attached to the receiver and then worn in a similar fashion to a personal stereo. For those customers with hearing aids without a T setting, we suggest using this system with headphones but removing your hearing aid whilst inside the auditorium. The loop should be placed around the customer’s neck and attached to the receiver. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver. Using the system without a hearing aid The headphones should be attached to the receiver and worn in similar fashion to a personal stereo. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver.
Wheelchair Access
Level Access and Automatic Doors (or No Doors)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at our venue.