ACAVA Talks is our professional development events programme for creative practitioners.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your practice, take risks, make a change, or simply reconnect with purpose, this programme is for you.

Through knowledge sharing and skills development, it aims to support and foster connections between creative professionals navigating a shifting and complex cultural landscape.

Creating space with trusted voices from across the sector to learn, reflect, challenge and rethink how we work, ACAVA Talks is open to artists and creatives at all stages of their careers.

Join us for practical, honest conversations with a focus on sharing tools, insights and solidarity for sustaining a creative practice.

Ticket pricing
Standard: £5
Concession: £1
Free for ACAVA studio holders

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We’re proud to be sponsored by Smartist
Showcase your artwork, without all the hard work.  Smartist are offering a 30-day free trial and a discounted annual subscription for ACAVA Talks attendees.
Claim your offer here.

Designed by artists, for artists, Smartist makes it effortless to create stunning, realistic mock-ups in seconds. It’s the most downloaded art visualisation app, trusted by over 1 million creatives in 175 countries. With powerful customisation options, artists can fine-tune everything, from interiors and frames to layouts and perspectives. Do you have a collector who wants to see your work in their own home? Upload their room photo, and Smartist will seamlessly and professionally place your artwork inside.

FAQs

Who can attend ACAVA Talks?

ACAVA Talks are open to all artists, no matter your career stage. Whether you're just starting, mid-career, or well-established, the sessions are designed to support you in developing your practice, refreshing your approach, or gaining new perspectives. You don’t need to be an ACAVA studio holder, everyone is welcome, including those working from home studios, bedrooms, sheds, or hotdesks

What is Smartist, and how does it support artists?

Smartist is a leading art visualisation app, designed by artists for artists, that helps you showcase your artwork in realistic, professional mock-ups with ease. Over 1 million creatives in 175+ countries use it to present their work beautifully.

ACAVA Talks attendees can enjoy a 30-day free trial and a discounted annual subscription from Smartist.

Want to show a collector what your work would look like in their home? Just upload a photo of their room and Smartist will do the rest.

What access provisions are available for online and in-person talks?

For online talks, Zoom links are emailed the day before. Talks are automatically captioned; just click the green “Closed Captions” button in Zoom. We’ll also explain this at the beginning of the session.

A BSL Interpreter can be provided with one month’s notice. To request this or share any access needs, email Georgia at profdev@acava.org.

For in-person talks at Barham Park, we offer:

  • Accessible toilet
  • Drinking water
  • Seating
  • Quieter area
  • Step-free routes (with a temporary ramp)


We don’t have a dedicated prayer room, but please get in touch ahead of time, we’ll do our best to find a suitable private space.

Will the talks be recorded?

Yes, online talks will be recorded and made available within a month after the event. Recordings will be emailed to the address provided during booking. Please note that in-person talks will not be recorded due to the interactive nature of those sessions.

Am I eligible for a concession ticket?
Concession tickets are available to those who are unwaged or on low incomes. If you’re able to pay the full fee, your support helps sustain the ACAVA Talks programme and expands access to more artists, as we are a registered charity.
I’m an ACAVA studio holder, how do I claim my free ticket?

Studio holders will receive a booking code via email to claim a free ticket. Didn’t get yours or need help? Email profdev@acava.org for assistance.

What’s the format of the talks?

Each talk lasts 90 minutes:

  • 60 minutes for the speaker’s presentation
  • 30 minutes for a live Q&A session


You’re welcome to use the chat function to interact or ask questions during the session.

Past events

Getting paid for your published work

Part of ACAVA Talks: Join Chris Haynes from DACS on Thursday 11 September, to learn how artists, illustrators, and photographers can claim Payback royalties, meet deadlines, and maximise earnings from published work.

Preserving your artistic legacy

Part of ACAVA Talks: Join Annamieka Hopps from Artwork Archive on 25 September to learn practical strategies for documenting, protecting, and sharing your art so your creative legacy endures for generations.

Navigating practice, values and person

Part of ACAVA Talks: Join Jade Foster on Thursday 9 October to explore how artists can fluidly navigate values, identity, and justice across interpersonal, organisational, and systemic levels without compromising creative practice.

Studio Visits with Georgia Taylor Aguilar

Part of ACAVA Talks: Join Georgia Taylor Aguilar online on Friday 20 June, 11am–12.30pm for strategies on approaching studio visits with clarity, intention, and confidence.

Critical Feedback with Chloe Cooper

Part of ACAVA Talks: Join Chloe Cooper online on Thursday 3 July, 1–2.30pm to explore generous, practical approaches to peer mentoring and giving/receiving constructive feedback.

Artist teacher collaborations with Dr Darren Chetty

Part of ACAVA Talks: Join Dr Darren Chetty on Friday 25 July, 11am–12.30pm at Barham Park Studios for an in-person session on artist–teacher collaboration in education.

Webinar: Unpacking public programming

Join this ACAVA Talks webinar with Pacheanne Anderson to gain an understanding of what public programming is, and how it can play an important role in engaging the public with the arts and building your artistic audience. Anderson will unpack the nuances of navigating public programming and explore the art of how to make it a part of your practice.

Webinar: Demystifying artist residencies

Join us for a panel discussion to hear residency-experienced artists and art residency providers discuss their personal experiences of taking part, organising, and selecting artists for residencies. Find out more about different types of residencies, how to make your application stand out, and how make the best out of your residency once you’ve been selected.

Webinar: How to price your artwork

In this free webinar, Artquest’s Programme Co-ordinator Tom Pope will discuss what’s entailed when selling work – from identifying audiences, and editioning works to establishing prices. The session will be followed by a Q&A where you can contribute your questions. This webinar will be free for all.

Webinar: A practical guide to developing a socially engaged artistic practice

Join this ACAVA Talks webinar with Isabella Niven to gain an understanding of what organisations are looking for when recruiting socially engaged artists. Find out what values, skills, and experience are required to successfully deliver a co-created community project; and how positive social, health, and wellbeing outcomes can be achieved through co-creation.

Webinar: How to present yourself and your creative practice

Join this ACAVA Talks webinar to hear independent Curator Becca Pelly-Fry discuss what attracts curators to artists and how to build long-lasting working relationships with other creative professionals. You’ll also learn how to best showcase your work online and present yourself as professional and reliable.

Webinar: Writing for Impact

Sign up for this ACAVA Talks webinar with fundraising consultant Lucy Stone to learn how to improve your applications, with insight into: using behavioural economics to transform your writing; top tips on what works including language and layout; funders' pet peeves; types of writing including free form applications, letters and applications; cases for support – what are the key messages you need to include; using examples to highlight key information; common traps people fall into and useful resources. Come prepared with questions and Lucy will do her best to help!

ACAVA Talks is sponsored by

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