Creative United

03/06/2026

💸Make Tax Digital: Practical steps to get compliant

Mainyard Studiosis partnering with the Federation of Small Businesses - FSB to bring their community a practical and no-nonsense workshop on Making Tax Digital.

Date: Thursday 25th June 2026, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Mainyard Studios, 679 High Rd, Leyton, London E10 6RA
Tickets: https://events.fsb.org.uk/en/g/fJqTd8nh8e/fsb-connect-east-london-at-mainyard-studios-3aJ8PzWBB/overview

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫?
Freelancers, sole traders, and small business owners who want to understand what Making Tax Digital means for them and what they need to do next.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
📋 A clear breakdown of MTD deadlines and who is affected
🛠 Practical steps to get compliant without the overwhelm
💬 Live Q&A with FSB experts who know their stuff
✅ Leave with confidence and a clear action plan

01/06/2026

From hand built violins and violas to helping musicians find their perfect sound, Theo Parmakis has become a trusted name in the string playing community.

Parmakis Instruments is part of Take it away, the Creative United scheme supported by funding from Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Take it away offers interest-free loans for musical instruments, equipment, tuition, and software.

Read our latest Meet the Music Shop feature and discover the story behind this fantastic member retailer. 👇

Since graduating from violin-making school in 2020, instrument maker and repairer Theo Parmakis has built a reputation as one of Sheffield’s go-to specialists for stringed instrument repairs and set-ups. Based in Nether Edge, Parmakis Instruments began with a focus on handcrafted violins, violas a...

27/05/2026

Join our team!

Are you a strong storyteller with a passion for the arts, culture, and creative industries?

We’re looking for a Communications Officer with excellent communication skills and a collaborative, proactive approach to audience engagement.

Working across Own Art, Take it away, and Re:Create GrowthCamp, this varied role will include relationship management with key stakeholders and partner organisations, as well as events management and co-ordination, making it ideal for someone who enjoys building connections. 🌟

Location: Hybrid – minimum two days per week in Central London
Hours: 35 hours per week (full time)
Salary: £32,400
Contract: Permanent

Find out more and apply: https://www.creativeunited.org.uk/job-vacancies/

19/05/2026

Own Art, a Creative United initiative, recently visited the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) for its 200th Annual Exhibition 🎨

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing exclusive artist interviews. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, creative insights, and a closer look at one of Own Art’s valued members.

Discover more on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/own.art/

15/05/2026

How can we build a more sustainable future for London’s artists and creatives?

This week, artists, policymakers and sector leaders came together at Somerset House to explore new ways of supporting creative livelihoods. The conversations highlighted just how vital collaboration, innovation and community are in shaping the future of the creative sector.

Read more about the event and the ideas emerging from it here:

A range of practitioners and policy makers joined forces in Somerset House on Tuesday 12 May to imagine new possibilities for artists’ livelihoods in London. Organised by Creative United with the London Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN London) and Somerset House Residents Community Programme...

13/05/2026

We were delighted to collaborate with Contemporary Visual Arts Network London yesterday for an energising day of conversations focused on sustaining creative practice and supporting artists’ livelihoods across the city.

A huge thank you to all the artists, CVAN London member organisations, guest speakers and colleagues who contributed throughout the day. Through CVAN's Creative Learning Hub discussions and networking sessions, artists shared valuable insights on sustaining practice, professional development, collaboration and building sustainable income streams.

Mary-Alice Stack, CEO of Creative United, shared practical guidance on business development, mentoring opportunities and the Own Art scheme, including a special offer for CVAN London members.

We were particularly pleased to highlight how Own Art can support not only galleries and individual artists, but also artist collectives and studio spaces looking to grow sales opportunities and develop sustainable creative enterprises.

Thank you also to guest facilitators Alice Mayor Sophie Hill (Bow Arts) and Will Jarvis (Gertrude) for leading such engaging discussions, and to everyone behind the scenes who helped make the event such a success: https://www.creativeunited.org.uk/collaborative-event-seeks-new-ways-to-sustain-london-artists-livelihoods/

06/05/2026

Creative businesses have the talent; what they often lack is the time and headspace to grow.⁠
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Too busy chasing clients, juggling the tax return and managing staff, to get on a more sustainable footing?⁠ You are not alone.⁠
⁠
Join a select group of ambitious founders for a 12-week growth programme with creative industry experts, tailored to your needs.⁠
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Learn more: https://recreategrowthcamp.org.uk/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=growthcamp_2026_cohort1_launch

05/05/2026

5 days to go ⏳ We’re inviting Scotland-based visual artists and craft makers to join a paid research project exploring ways to support and sustain creative careers.

Last year’s Artist Advisory Group brought together an incredible mix of practices from graffiti and photography to performance, sculpture, and textiles.

We caught up with Lynsey Powles to hear about her experience. A self-taught urban artist from Grimsby, she runs Cleethorpes Urban Art Festival and is deeply rooted in community-led work.

🎥 Watch the reel to hear more
🔗 Apply now: https://www.creativeunited.org.uk/open-call-for-visual-artists-and-makers-based-in-scotland/

01/05/2026

Ready to take your creative business to the next level?

Hear Re:Create alumni Jess Gell, Rukiya Shanthi, Roopa Basu and Krystal Wong share how the programme transformed their confidence and sharpened their business models.

Built on the success of Re:Create (200+ participants, with boosts in income, skills and confidence), GrowthCamp is a 12-week journey of expert-led sessions and personalised 1:1 mentorship.

🗓 Starts June/July 2026 (online and London)
Early adopter rate: £500 + VAT
Limited places available

Tap the link in bio or DM to learn more.
🔗 recreategrowthcamp.org.uk