Creative Networking: Building bridges in the sector

This talk explores the transformative power of collaboration, creativity, and cross-sector partnerships in driving learning and growth for creatives.

Calodagh McCumiskey, a creative in her own right, draws on her 14 years experience working in war zones, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises, where interdisciplinary collaboration across stakeholders was a necessity as well as her 15 years working as a wellbeing specialist in this talk.

With expertise in international development, wellbeing. coaching, and running her own business. Calodagh shares how creativity is more than a skill—that it can be a tool for connection, confidence-building, healing – and growth in and between communities

What Participants Will Gain:

• Practical insights into how to identify and connect with potential collaborators—both within the creative sector and beyond
• Insights and understanding on how networking can lead to meaningful, long-term partnerships
• Insights into what makes cross-sector collaborations work—and how to build them
• How to make networking productive and fun? Preparation, during and follow up
• A facilitated networking session that will guide participants to expand networks, uncover new opportunities, and build bridges within and between the creative and other sectors.

This talk is part funded by Craft Work 4.0 supported by Creative Europe.

Craftwork 4.0 All is defined as a platform of international and intercultural co-creation, created among 12 organizations from 12 countries, and aiming at supporting emerging craft artists and practitioners to co-create, cooperate and promote their work, developing a common European programming of non-national craft artists and of trainings.

Calodagh McCumiskey

Calodagh McCumiskey is an accredited Master Practitioner in Wellbeing and Coaching, a keynote speaker, trainer and consultant – and an award-winning creative entrepreneur. She specialises in helping people and teams thrive through wellbeing – using her 12 pillars framework and with a particular focus on mental and emotional fitness.

Before founding her own business, Calodagh spent 14 years leading teams in some of the world’s most demanding humanitarian crises—during and in the aftermath of war, drought, floods, tsunamis, epidemics and earthquakes. This shaped her practical, results-driven approach to collaboration, networking, wellbeing, and leadership.

She is the co-founder of Inner Rhythm, a creative initiative that combines wellbeing, drumming and meditation to help people find the clarity, motivation, and the space to live the life they really want.

Calodagh was Runner-Up in the National Solo Business Woman of the Year at the Network Ireland Business Woman of the Year Awards (2023) and received Special Recognition in the National Network Ireland Awards (2024). She holds a Master of Business in Executive Leadership (2024).

You can read more about Calodagh and her work at: www.spiritualearth.com      www.calodagh.com        www.innerrhythm.ie