Join
If creativity is part of your work, this is your professional home.
Join our growing network where freelancers, artists, creatives and cultural workers connect, collaborate and champion our sector together.
It’s currently free to join and open to everyone working in creative and cultural roles in Calderdale, whether you’re employed, freelance or running your own creative business.
why become a member
Showcase your work to the public with a CalderdaleCreates directory page
Get first-look access to free training, workshops and resources on topics that are relevant to you
Come along to our regular networking events and socials, extend your network
Find time to tinker with ‘the business side of things’ with creative & culture sector peers
Get useful and relevant funding, jobs, opportunities, commissions into your inbox via our newsletter
Connect and collaborate on topics and themes that come from Calderdale’s Creatives
Have your say on Calderdale’s cultural strategy and feed into its creative shape
Advocate for the cultural and creative industries, and the impact they have here in Calderdale
Help shape CalderdaleCreates’ programme, priorities, and grow our membership opportunities
Get access to free training, workshops and resources on topics like x, y and z
Come along to our regular networking events and socials
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
Find out about new opportunities and commissions
What’s our community like?
Our community is built on mutual support and collaboration – we believe that supporting each other supports our whole sector. It’s an inclusive and welcoming space and you can participate as much or as little as works for you.
How our network is run
CalderdaleCreates is co-designed and led by our members – this is your network, shaped by the people who use it.
Our steering group is the operational lead for the network. It is made up of people elected from the membership each year at our AGM who volunteer their time.
You help us shape our priorities – we regularly consult members through events, round tables and polls.
Your voice helps make the network stronger and more responsive to our members’ needs.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about becoming a member and the benefits it offers.
How do I join?
Joining is simple! Just fill out our online sign-up form. Once you’re a member, you can start participating in our activities and initiatives.
Who can join?
- People working in cultural and creative organisations, including theatres, museums, galleries, visual arts, community arts, music venues, festivals, publishing, film, design, gaming, architecture, TV & radio.
- This covers a multitude of roles, and includes people who promote, publish, stage, curate, administrate, or in any other way support the delivery of creative activity.
- Freelance artists, producers, designers, photographers, film-makers, writers, musicians and other creative practitioners.
- People who work alongside those in the creative and cultural sector towards similar goals. For example, you might work at a mental health charity that has a dance programme, or you might work in place-making and regeneration and value the role of creativity in building stronger communities and economic growth.
- You’re either based in Calderdale or you live elsewhere but over 50% of your work takes place here.
People involved in running amateur and voluntary creative groups. For example, choirs, bands, orchestras, art classes etc. - You must be over 16, but students studying to be in creative and cultural roles are welcome, as are retirees and people who are currently unemployed but who have previously worked in the cultural and creative sectors.
Not sure if you’re eligible? If creativity plays a role in your work and you’re connected to Calderdale, you belong here. Email us creativity@calderdale.gov.uk if you’d like to check – we’re an inclusive network and want to support the full breadth of our creative community.
Membership directory
- What do I need to get started eg images /content?
- You’ll be asked for 3 images, a video, your website / socials URLS, and about you info, as well as some information about your work ie what sector, your interests, etc. It’s easy and doesn’t take long. Please only include your address if you are happy with it going live, ie not if you work from home.
- How long does it take for my profile to go live?
- Our team need to approve the profile, so please allow around 2-3 days (particularly if a weekend).
- Where is the information published and who can see it?
- The information is published publically on www.CalderdaleCreates.co.uk
- Can I opt out of the public directory but stay in the member-only version?
- At the moment we don’t have an option to keep the viewers private. If you don’t want to have a public page, but you do want to be a member, please email creativity@calderdale.gov.uk and we will try to work something out
Privacy and data protection
How is the network governed?
- The Steering Group is the operational lead for CalderdaleCreates, setting the agenda in consultation with our members
- Major strategic decisions are voted on by the whole membership.
- Steering group meetings take place monthly online, and in-person quarterly.
- There are between 6-12 steering group members, elected at our AGM for an initial term of three years. They can stand for re-election for one further term.
- We also have a series of working groups with members drawn from the steering group and wider membership.
Can I suggest events?
Absolutely! We encourage members to suggest events and activities. Your ideas are vital in enriching our community and ensuring we cater to diverse interests.
How do I vote?
We host network meetings for our members, where we hold votes, alongside our AGM. We are also looking to host a online voting system, but it’s still in development.