The series aims to provide business and professional skills development as well as networking and collaboration opportunities for the Hunter region’s emerging and established artists, creative practitioners, arts and cultural professionals, managers and leaders.  The first in a series of three events was held in 2014 with two more scheduled for the first half of 2015.

In February, Smart Arts and The Lock-Up present ‘Think Big – Big Picture Partnerships’, a tailored, interactive workshop for small to medium creative enterprises, organisations and individuals on how to put ‘thinking’, ‘creative’ and ‘collaboration’ into their business. The ‘Think Big’ workshop is designed to facilitate an opportunity for local arts, cultural and community organisations and individuals to gain practical partnership tools and to be inspired to make collaborative choices for program and business growth and project realisation.

This is a must-attend opportunity to be inspired to help grow your creative business, and support a collaborative creative local environment.

Arts and culture play an invaluable role in strengthening communities, particularly in regional areas, through engaging and connecting people, and by facilitating interaction and collaboration that allow arts and creative businesses to develop (NSW 2021: A Plan to Make NSW Number One).

‘Think Big’ Workshop facilitator Christina Gerakiteys, is the Creative Director of Ideation At Work, the Business Advisor for the Creative Industries at The Business Centre, has been a part of Creativity and Innovation committees and initiatives in the Hunter for several years and works in collaboration with a number of organisations to include innovation in their businesses. 

‘Think Big – Big Picture Partnerships’ will be held at The Lock-Up 2.30pm – 4.30pm on Thursday 26 February 2015. Tickets are $40 per person and include participation in the workshop and entry to the Smart Arts Spotlight Session February 26 at The Lock-Up after the workshop. To book your ticket, click here. If you would only like to attend the Spotlight Session and Panel Discussion tickets are $10 per person.