Professional development opportunities for artists and creatives

Kick off 2025 with a series of professional development workshops, webinars and talks designed for artists and creative practitioners looking for support and the skills to thrive in their creative business.

While the Art Northern Rivers (ANR) Practice 101 series launches early autumn, the ANR team has handpicked some industry favourites to help artists and creatives get started right away.

Sound NSW Advisory Board 2025

An exciting opportunity to help lead music development and make a significant impact to artists, businesses, audiences and music communities across NSW.  Applications closing: Jan 28, 10am

Mentoring Sessions for Aboriginal Artists/Arts Workers

2 Rivers is offering 20 free mentoring sessions designed to provide personalised guidance, deep insights into the arts landscape, and strategic advice to help you grow. Spots are limited!

Regional Arts Australia Assessor Pool 2025

Paid opportunity for people with the skills and know-how to fairly and thoughtfully assess applications to Regional Arts Australia programs. Applications closing: Feb 28

Byron School of Art’s Individual Mentorship

This (ongoing) series of four one-hour sessions is suitable for artists with a focused practice who are working towards producing a cohesive body of work. Course fee $525

Create NSW launched Create Exchange, a program which features artists and leading industry experts who will provide you with the tools to navigate the business fundamentals of contracts, copyrights, grant application writing and more. The series will provide essential skills to establish a successful, sustainable and thriving creative practice.

Term 1 runs from February to April, with 6 webinar episodes.

Episode 1:  The Business of Creativity

Set yourself up as a freelancer and avoid the most common pitfalls.  Mon 3 Feb 2025, 5.30 – 7pm  Book Now

Episode 2:  Learn From Success

Some of our successful Arts and Cultural Funding Program grant recipients share their tips for writing a great application.  Monday 17 February 2025, 5.30 – 7pm

Episode 3:  Sign on the Dotted Line

Understanding arts contracts and being contracted as a creative worker. Monday 3 March 2025, 5.30 – 7pm

Episode 4:  Your Rights in Copyright

The basics of copyright law and how it applies to creative works. Monday 17 March 2025, 5.30 – 7pm

Episode 5:  Find a Mentor

How connecting to creative knowledge, wisdom and experience can benefit your creative practice. Monday 31 March 2025, 5.30 – 7pm

Episode 6:  Advocate for Yourself

Finding your voice in negotiating as a creative worker.  Monday 14 April 2025, 5.30 – 7pm

Creative PLUS BUSINESS headed up by Monica Davidson has a series of online workshops and webinars running through February and March, focusing on practical advice for creatives to improve their small business skills for a successful and sustainable future.

How to Start a Creative Business

Ever wondered how to turn your creative practice, hobby, or passion into a business? This fun and friendly online workshop for beginners, is a safe space where every question is a good question, and the mysteries of business become a bit clearer. February 18, 6- 8pm

Pricing for Creatives

A practical online workshop that covers the basics of figuring out the price point for creative work, including calculating costs and understanding the marketplace when charging for creative products and services. February 20, 6- 8pm

Time Management for Creatives

An online workshop that discusses practical time management strategies specifically designed for creatives to help keep all juggling balls in the air and find better ways of monitoring and managing capacity. February 25, 6- 8pm

All About Auspicing

Auspicing is a wonderful but sometimes mystifying process where one organisation provides support, sponsorship, or guidance to another, often in the context of funding. This free webinar is the perfect entry point for anyone interested in learning how auspicing could benefit their practice. February 26, 6- 7 pm

Future Planning for Creatives

An online workshop that reframes and explains the business and strategic planning process, made specifically for creative practitioners and arts businesses. March 4, 6– 8pm

Creative’s Guide to Branding

A practical online workshop that helps creative practitioners understand, and build, a compelling brand for their business or practice to help them stand out from the crowd. March 6, 12 – 2pm

Cashflow for Creatives

An online workshop that explores the most practical ways to manage the rollercoaster of income and expenses that comes with working in the creative industries. March 18, 6-8pm

Guide to Selling Online

A beginners online workshop for artists who are ready to sell their work online, and don’t know where to begin, including business basics, eCommerce models, legal matters and more. March 20, 12– 2pm

Diversify Your Creative Income

An online workshop to help creative professionals think laterally and collaboratively about the best ways to diversify income and make more money from their skills. March 25 , 6- 8pm

This professional development series is free, you will need to register for each workshop via Service NSW using your log in details.

Service NSW also have free online business resources for you to refer to.