Each month we round up five of the most exciting opportunities currently available for young people living on the Isle of Wight, whether that’s from Brave Island or from other organisations we think you should get involved with! Check out our top picks for December, below.
Now or Never – The first Brave Island Zine!
In case you missed it, Brave Island is launching a brand new zine in 2026. These will be released Quarterly, but all of the content will be made by Brave Islanders like you!
Whether you’re an artist, poet, photographer, or just want to get something off your chest, this is your chance to have your voice heard. This first edition of the Brave Island Zine is themed on the phrase “Now or Never” but we’ve purposely made this vague so you can interpret it in whatever way you’d like.
The deadline for submissions is Sunday 4th January, and the finished Zine will be printed and circulated from the 31st January, at a special launch event at Ventnor Exchange.
You can find out more, and submit your contributions by clicking here.
FREE Dance Masterclass at Quay Arts
Quay Arts have a FREE Contemporary Dance Masterclass available to dancers of 16+ years old and all abilities:
Dancers and those interested in movement are invited to join contemporary dance artist and choreographer Maya Carroll for a one-day movement masterclass.
Through guided improvisation, embodied research, and imaginative tasks, participants will dive into deep-sea-inspired movement themes, engaging physically and creatively with the ideas behind Soundings.
Learn more and book you free place by clicking here.
Open Studios registrations are OPEN
Isle of Wight Open Studios (IWOS) is set to return in 2026 and registrations are now OPEN!
Open studios is the annual event where artists from all over the Island welcome Art lovers and potential customers into their studio to get a glimpse at the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
Don’t have your own studio that you can open to the public? Not to worry, you can take part through solo or shared studios, pop-up venues, community spaces or group exhibitions. The IWOS team has split the Island into North, East, South and West and each area has a designated Area Rep to be your main point of contact and guide you through the process.
Find out more and register to take part here
Public Art Commissions
Isle of Wight National Landscape and Creative Island invite applications from artists for three new public art commissions that celebrate and respond to the Isle of Wight National Landscape as part of “Can You Hear Us?” a major island-wide cultural programme taking place in Autumn 2026.
The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 14th December.
Find out more here.
Free Photography Workshops
Want to develop your photography skills? Brave Island have teamed up with In Focus Education & Development to bring their creative photography workshops to the Isle of Wight! These are FREE sessions where you can gain skills and experience using professional cameras and equipment!
These open sessions are a space for young people aged 16 – 25yrs to learn new skills, connect with others, and explore your creativity. All equipment and materials are provided.
The next session is taking place at Ventnor Exchange on Thursday 11th December, 5:00pm-6:30pm. Book your free space here.
