Without Walls is looking for new partners to join the Creative Development Network (CDN) in 2025-26

The Creative Development Network (CDN) is designed for art organisations, festivals, venues, local authorities, independent producers, programmers, who are interested in expanding, developing, or strengthening their offer in outdoor arts. It provides opportunities for peer learning, sharing of resources and knowledge, networking, and connecting with other creatives across the country.

Alongside a series of meetings, workshops, and other professional development opportunities, the CDN programme is driven by the needs and interests of the group, with partners working collaboratively to share ideas, resources and skills.

Partners in the Creative Development Network have access to a range of benefits, including:

• Four CDN network meetings (two in person and two online), one of which taking place in conjunction with a festival visit to one of the Artistic Directorate festivals.
• Access to financial support for travel expenses to attend one of the two in-person meetings.
• Access to a range of professional development activities including workshops, training events and online monthly partners drop-in sessions. These cover a range of topics such as programming, audience engagement, access, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and other relevant sectoral topics.
• One-to-one sessions with the Without Walls team each year.
• Additional light-touch contact with the Without Walls team throughout the year, with a dedicated point of contact to help partners make the most of the opportunities available through Without Walls, sharing information, offering advice and brokering connections.
• Opportunities to meet with other Without Walls festival partners, staff and Board members at informal networking events throughout the year, to share opportunities, ask questions and develop connections.
• Access to Without Walls digital resources, including toolkits, guides, and publications.
• Regular updates about shows in development and opportunities to attend artist sharings via a regular CDN newsletter and a dedicated partner area on the Without Walls website.
• Profiling your organisation as partners on the Without Walls website, and use of the Without Walls logo in communication and marketing materials.