Bristol Creatives is sadly coming to the end of its current Arts Council SW funding. I am busy researching and writing a business plan for the future development and sustainability of the network and I need your help.

Bristol Creatives was launched back in June 2006, and so far we have concentrated on:

• providing free membership to anyone working in the creative industries in the city (we currently have over 650 members from a wide range of creative practices);

• developing our excellent website, including the introduction of the ever popular Event Calendar and Creative Directory;

• producing and distributing two flyers, one to promote the network to creatives in the city and the other to promote Bristol Creatives and it's members to the public.

• coordinating five networking events;

• providing business advice and support, moderate, update and manage the website and answer members enquiries;

• producing regular e-bulletins full of news, opportunities and advice.

All this with one part-time (three days per month) Project Manager (me) and the support of Bristol East Side Traders (who applied for the Arts Council Funding and employ me to run Bristol Creatives).

At the last official networking event back in June we asked members to help evaluate Bristol Creatives and to suggest activities for the future development of the network. These suggestions include:

• a paid membership package to include public liability insurance and other benefits such as discounts at art suppliers and framers;

• regular monthly networking events;

• to continue promoting and developing the website and publishing the e-bulletins;

• to develop an online gallery, linked to the existing website, where members can sell their work.

• creative incubation space for new creative businesses.

We'd really like your feedback and thoughts about these suggestions and your evaluation of the services we have provided so far. With this in mind could you please visit www.bristolcreatives.co.uk/node/976 to download our Evaluation & Future Planning Questionnaire, complete it and email it to sally@bristolcreatives.co.uk to arrive before 21 January 2008?

We really need your help with this, as any future plans and developments for Bristol Creatives will be based on the results of this survey and without your support Bristol Creatives won't be able to continue.

Many thanks for your help and here's to a fun packed Christmas and a peaceful prosperous New Year.

Best Wishes

Sally Reay
Bristol Creatives Project Manager

sally@bristolcreatives.co.uk