Common Ground - Creative Futures

Common Ground is a new collaborative skill-sharing programme for creatives, creative organisations, and community groups across the Scottish Borders. It is facilitated by Alchemy Film & Arts, Hugo Burge Foundation, Creative Coathanger, and CABN.

This programme session invites enquiry, conversation, and shared learning through a series of themed development days.

Creative Futures

This session explores how we live sustainably as artists.

How can we all play our part in being inclusive and building better for tomorrows creatives.

It is designed for:

Individuals who want to discuss or discover how careers can be supported and/or organisations who employ artists.

We are particularly keen for early career artists and students to attend.

The day blends practical insights, case studies, and reflective discussion.

Contributions across the day will include:

• Alchemy Film & Arts will focus on the different contexts that help us understand the challenges and opportunities of trying to sustain a career in the arts. They will look at the realities and pragmatics of establishing an artistic practice, what makes a career in the arts and creative industries possible, and the ways in which employers and organisations should be held to account for fostering a culture of inclusivity.
• Hugo Burge Foundation will focus on transitioning from education to arts career, either as an arts worker or as an artist. They will discuss what skillsets to develop and where to go for opportunities that compliment a developing practice or work in the arts. They will also discuss some of the developing artists programmes that Hugo Burge Foundation offers.
• Creative Coathanger will signpost to resources which can used to support sustainable creative careers, and signpost to tools which can be used, adapted or developed to support practical things. They will ask: How do you keep your creative spark?
  How do you balance long timelines and stay inspired?
  What can you do without funding?

• CABN opens discussion and reflection.

This is the last of three sessions we will be offering this year. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

The Community Room, Borders College

Programme Schedule

10:00–10:30

Tea, coffee, and networking

10:30–11:30

Session 1 with Alchemy Film & Arts

(break)

12:00–13:00

Session 2 with Hugo Burge Foundation

13:00–13:45

Lunch - with GF and Vegan options

13:45 - 14.45

Session 3 with Creative Coathanger

14.45 - 15.30 Close

Session 4 with CABN

Please inform us of any dietary requirements during checkout.

Access requirements:

Please get in touch with CABN at [email protected] if you have any access requirements, and we will be happy to help.

We encourage car sharing for this event—if you have space in your car or need a lift, let us know during checkout, and we’ll help connect you with others to arrange travel together.

As multi‑artform development organisations Alchemy Film & Arts, Hugo Burge Foundation, Creative Coathanger, and CABN, each bring distinct approaches and areas of focus, united by a shared commitment to developing skills, nurturing creativity, and strengthening the cultural ecology of the Borders and beyond.

About CABN

CABN is a project supported by Southern Uplands Partnership, which champions and supports creative businesses across the Scottish Borders.