Creative Circles: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

Hosted by Creative Edinburgh, Creative Circles runs every month. For April, we're in-person.

This event is a casual monthly meetup for creatives, techies, makers, students, freelance folk and everyone in between who is interested in discovering more about what's happening in Edinburgh. Take a break from work, share ideas and advice, make new connections, and find your next collaborator.

April's Conversation: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

In this month's Creative Circles event, we’re focusing on the feeling of imposter syndrome when working creatively. We’re hearing from Emma Collins, a consultant in the arts and charity sector, a qualified transformational coach and the Director of Push the Boat Out poetry festival.

Imposter syndrome is felt by nearly 75% of people at some point, many of them high achievers. It’s that nagging inner critic whispering: "What if I'm not good enough? What if I'm found out?". In coaching people in the arts and third sector, Emma has found that the most common internal barriers holding artists back from achieving their potential or fully enjoying their success. It can manifest in different situations: e.g. public speaking, self-promotion, developing partnerships, managing staff in an organisation, or pitching to a potential funder.

This friendly conversation will offer a look at what Imposter Syndrome is, how it affects us and a brief overview of a few practical tools from the world of transformational coaching that can support you in tackling it.

All Creative Circles in 2024 are generously sponsored by an accounting software that lets accountants, small businesses and landlords file Self-assessments directly to HMRC, saving time and reducing stress. We are excited to be working with FreeAgent and can't wait to introduce them to our members at the upcoming events.

Creative Circles is for members of Creative Edinburgh. Not a member yet? It's free to join click here.

About our speaker

Emma Collins has been a leader, consultant and producer in the arts and literature sector for over a decade. In August 2023, she was appointed as Director of Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival. She continues to run her consultancy, which she founded in 2017 to support arts and charity sectors with fundraising, strategy and development, and through this, she has had the privilege of working with many of Scotland’s foremost creative organisations, artists and festivals.

Before this, she was the Director of the Village Storytelling Centre and in this role founded the Village Storytelling Festival, remaining the festival’s Creative Director until 2022. She also produces small-scale contemporary work that crosses boundaries of storytelling, theatre and music, under the banner All the Figs, Emma is a qualified transformational coach and facilitator, supporting individuals and teams to overcome their blocks, figure out what they want and reach their full potential.

Running Order

16:30 - 16:45: Welcome everyone to the session & introduction from Creative Edinburgh

16:45 - 17:30: Presentation from Emma Collins

17:30 - 18:20: Socialising with attendees

18:20 - 18:30: Community announcements, Creative Edinburgh news, thank you and farewell

Can't make the whole event? Just join us for what you can.

Got something to shout about during our community announcements? Get in touch with us at .

How are we making sure this event is accessible?

There won't be a BSL interpreter present at the event.

There will be no amplified music or bright lights used throughout the event. If you have other access requirements, please let us know during registration or get in touch with us directly, and we will do our very best to help.

Have we forgotten anything? Please help us learn and let us know.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you there!

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About Creative Edinburgh

Creative Edinburgh is a registered Scottish Charity (SC052838) committed to helping creatives thrive. Through events, career support and advocacy, we bring together and help grow the city’s creative community, providing a space for creation, collaboration and connection at every stage of your career. Creative Edinburgh is supported by Creative Scotland as one of the Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs).

To become a member of Creative Edinburgh, click .

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