ABOUT US

Portsmouth is a unique island city, home to world-class cultural heritage with an incredibly strong sense of pride and community spirit.

ABOUT PORTSMOUTH CREATES:

Portsmouth Creates is a Community Interest Company, operating in the heart of Portsmouth. Our strategic objective is to support the growth of our creative and cultural sector across the city. We connect, support and advocate for Portsmouth’s creative community. Nurturing our talent and building our pipeline through creating pathways across the sector.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

We create opportunities through and for creativity. We know that access to creativity and culture empowers and enriches all lives. Through enabling a creative Portsmouth, we will contribute to the development of a vibrant, inclusive place with a strong sense of identity, ambition, heritage, and pride.

Collaboration and co-creation are at the heart of our work. We work across a range of partnerships with multiple approaches to developing Portsmouth’s creative growth.

OUR VALUES: (in alphabetical order)

• Creativity  Creativity is our thing! We are passionate about enabling and developing creative thinking and practice. Creativity enables new opportunities, partnerships, connections and innovation. We believe creativity is an infectious energy that supports development and wellbeing.
• Equability and Inclusion  People are at the heart of what we do. We work to create access, opportunity and a fair, level playing field for everyone. We are committed to an inclusive work culture where everyone who works with or for us is treated with respect and integrity. We advocate for our partners and those we collaborate with to share this value and work to address inequality, increase access and engagement across our city and beyond.
• Positivity Through action, caring, joy and generosity of spirit we work to positively contribute to Portsmouth, making a difference and championing our creatives, communities, and city.
• Trust and respect  Through being our authentic selves, having clarity about what we do and why, being approachable, actively listening, supporting and working to making a difference we aim to build solid relationships and collaborations built on trust and respect.

What We Do

• Champion Creativity – Empowering Portsmouth’s creative sector through building capacity, sustainability, collaboration, and opportunity.
• Connect & Support – Building partnerships between across the creative sector, businesses, and communities for a thriving ecosystem.
• Advocate for Inclusion – Making culture accessible to all, ensuring fair representation and opportunities.
• Create Impact – Hosting events, workshops, and partnerships that help creatives thrive and shape the city’s future.
• Drive Growth – Strengthening Portsmouth’s creative economy and positioning it as a hub for innovation and opportunity.

Why We Do It

• Creativity Transforms: It enriches lives, supports wellbeing, and inspiring change.
• Collaboration is Key: Stronger together, we amplify the creative sector’s impact economically and socially.
• Innovation & Inclusion: Fuelling growth and building a future of opportunity.
• Portsmouth Deserves to Shine: Elevating the city’s creative profile regionally and beyond.

How We Do It

• Expert Advice – Free one-on-one consultations on funding, marketing, and business strategy.
• Digital Visibility – Showcasing creatives via the Portsmouth Creative Directory and across our platforms.
• Events & Networking – Sector specific workshops, peer to peer networking funding sessions, and industry-led conferences.
• Creatives & Community – Events like We Shine and Victorious Festival bring communities together through high-quality art, showcasing local talent, and connecting makers with new audiences. They shine a spotlight on Portsmouth’s vibrant creative scene.