PERFECT FOR.

Creators.

Agencies.

Thinkers.

owners.

designers.

freelancers.

visuals.

developers.

marketers.

About Us

COLLECTIVE. connects and amplifies the creative, digital and tech community across the East Midlands.

We bring together the people and ideas shaping the region’s creative future, from freelancers and studios to educators, funders and innovators.

Our purpose is simple: to make the creative economy visible, connected and confident.

Connection Knowledge Opportunity

COLLECTIVE. community event in the East Midlands

What we do

Through events, conversations and collaborations, we help people find each other, share knowledge and build new opportunities.

We believe that creativity drives progress, both economically and socially, and that the best ideas come from working together.

Make the region visible

Showcase talent and share stories from across the East Midlands creative ecosystem.

Share practical knowledge

From AI and VR to funding and strategy—content shaped by real needs and challenges.

Build confident connections

Turn conversations into collaborations and new opportunities across the region.

Purpose

Make the creative economy visible, connected and confident.

Our story

COLLECTIVE. began as a pilot project in 2024, funded by Nottingham Trent University. The goal was to bring together creative, digital and tech professionals across the East Midlands to learn from each other, share opportunities and build visibility for the region’s talent.

The response was immediate. Hundreds of creatives joined the events, forging new collaborations, partnerships and friendships.

What started as a series of conversations became a movement, and now continues independently as CDI COLLECTIVE. CIC, connecting creative thinkers, makers and doers across the region.

Tamily Cookson

Tamily Cookson is a creative industries leader and strategist with more than a decade of experience shaping places, programmes and communities that help creativity and innovation thrive.

She is currently Director of the Barbican Creative Hub in Lincoln and Founder of CDI COLLECTIVE. CIC.

Her work bridges culture, digital innovation and economic development, bringing together people and ideas to spark collaboration, confidence and change.