Future Works is back! We are super excited to announce we will be bringing you the third instalment of Future Works to Strings Bar & Venue on Thursday 7th November at 7pm! Future Works is the Island’s regular event for 16-30 year olds to meet new people, make connections, and start collaborating. The FREE event features exciting guests from all areas of the creative industries, brought to you by Brave Island, Platform One and the IW Creative Network!

We’ll be joined by industry professionals to discuss different topics around starting your creative career, with a focus on events, festivals, and performance. After a panel discussion with our three guests, there will be plenty of time for you to meet new people, make connections, and start collaborating!

November Guest Speakers:

We’ll hear from Writer & Actor Joe Bone, Circus Performer and Creative Projects Assistant at Ventnor Exchange and New Carnival Kai Davies, and Creative Director from Wonderfell Theatre Company Vicky Wells.

Joe is a writer and actor from the Isle of Wight. Schooled at Downside Middle and Cowes High, he went on to study Film and Theatre at university. After successfully debuting his solo work ‘Bane’ on the Island in 2008, he took the show to Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe Festival where he ran sell out shows to critical acclaim.

Joe was signed by United Agents in 2012, kick-starting his TV and film career, acting on-screen in Castles in the Sky, Endeavour, Six minutes to Midnight, Tom and Jerry the Movie, Beyond Paradise and more recently, the Netflix smash-hit Baby Reindeer.

In 2019, he co-wrote the thriller The Vanishing, starring Peter Mullan and Gerard Butler, directed by Kristoffer Nyholm. In 2022, he was commissioned by Big Talk and Altitude Films to write Mars Express, a Colin Pillinger biopic starring Toby Jones. In 2023, he wrote Parliament Strom, an action film set in the Houses of Parliament, directed by Pierre Morel, and was hired by Indefinite Films and Big Talk Studios to write KUJI, the true story of British hacker Matthew Bevan. In 2024, he was commissioned by HTM to write the pilot for Spark, a boxing series starring Connor Swindells.

Kai is the Creative Projects assistant at Ventnor Exchange, working on projects including Ventnor Fringe, Ingrams Yard Market, Brave Island and more. He recently finished his level 3 Events Assistant Apprenticeship, where he was shared between Ventnor Exchange and New Carnival, who run the Isle of Wight Mardi Gras and Merry & Bright in Ryde. After finishing the course, Kai is staying on at both organisations.

As well as working in event management, Kai is also a Circus performer and instructor specialising in Flower Sticks, Staff and Contact Juggling. He’s performed in Fire shows at Ventnor Fringe, Isle of Wight Festival, and Bestival. He also teaches circus skills with Wild Woods Workshops and Sun Drum Circus Skills Club.

Vicky began working with children in her teens and became a qualified KS2 primary school teacher in 2010. She has taught across all levels of primary and also Drama/English/Music in secondary education. She set up Wonderfell Theatre Company in 2020 to combine her love of drama and working with children, along with a passion for improving a child’s creativity, self-esteem and mental health and well-being.

She says, “Every workshop we create is inspired by children, for children. Our hope is to create and deliver innovative workshops and theatre to awaken all senses and creatively engage curious, young minds.”

Wonderfell go into primary schools across the Isle of Wight and deliver immersive storytelling experiences and workshops to children. Vicky oversees all areas of the creative process from writing, producing, directing, budgeting, delivering, logistics and liaising with staff teams. Within the theatre company, they also create commercial events, and this year, they co-produced the first Ventnor Family Fringe, in collaboration with the team at Ventnor Exchange.

So… want to start a band but don’t know a drummer? Want to write a play but don’t know any actors? Maybe you want to film a showreel but don’t know a filmmaker? Then make sure to pop along to Future Works!

To book your FREE ticket, please CLICK HERE!
Venue Address: Strings Bar, 9 Bowling Green Ln, Newport PO30 1LL

Brave Island is a platform set up to provide more creative opportunities to 14-25 year olds living on the Isle of Wight. We offer mentoring, funding, experiences, and training, there’s something new every week and everything is completely free to take part in. Sign up at www.braveisland.uk to get involved, and follow us on social media on @braveislanduk

Platform One is a boutique college based on the Isle of Wight, specialising in high quality education for the creative industries. With over 20 years experience running music qualifications (BTEC, BA Commercial Music, MA Enterprise & Innovation), in 2023 Platform One launched BTEC and Degree programmes in Sustainable Fashion. Follow them on social media: @platformoneiow 

IW Creative Network supports Creatives on the Isle of Wight through professional business support, networking, resources and profiling. A bespoke talent development programme is available for individuals joining the network, aiming to nurture and inspire, allowing creatives to thrive and become more sustainable. Join here: www.iwcreativenetwork.com and follow them on social media: @iwcreativenetwork

If you would like any more information, or have any questions, please email megan@ventnorexchange.co.uk