Previous events
Chichester CAN Receives Art and Science Award
20 March 2026
We were honoured to receive the Arts, Science and Culture Award from Chichester City Council, recognising contributions to the local arts, science and cultural experience within the city.
The award was presented as part of the City Council’s Annual Awards, celebrating individuals and organisations who play an important role in shaping and supporting life in Chichester.
We are proud to be recognised alongside this year’s recipients:
Freedom of the City – Jess Breach
Civic Award – Julie Sandall
Community Award – Creative Beatz and Jam Café
Small Business Award – Ghost at the Feast
Each of these awards reflects a different part of the city’s community, and it is both inspiring and humbling to be included among them.
A personal thank you to Councillor Rhys Chant for his speech of introduction and for the role he has played in the journey of Chichester CAN. Through the Art Forum he established and continues to run every two months, he has created an important space for connection and conversation within the creative sector. It was within this forum that my initial idea for Chichester CAN first began to take shape.
Chichester CAN, part of Sussex Creative Art Network CIC, was created to bring creatives together, to create opportunities, and to support a more visible and connected creative presence within the city. In a relatively short time, it has grown into a network that supports collaboration, encourages participation, and helps open up new spaces for creative activity.
This recognition is shared with everyone who has been involved — whether by taking part, supporting, sponsoring, collaborating, or simply showing up along the way.
Thank you.
Our September meet-up was a special edition held in collaboration with Create South East and the Adventures + Wisdom Institute, bringing together creative entrepreneurs from across Chichester and beyond for an afternoon of inspiration, honest conversation, and community building.
The event featured talks and discussions exploring how creatives can grow their practice, develop sustainable businesses, and access the right support and networks to thrive. Attendees heard first-hand insights from creative business founders and industry professionals who shared their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned.
It was a lively and engaging afternoon — full of practical advice, meaningful exchanges, and a real sense of momentum for Chichester’s growing creative community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this inspiring session. Together, we’re continuing to build a network where artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and grow.
Beatz in the City - Chichester
July 18-20
Creative Beatz Festival, curated by the Creative Beatz Charity, was a bold collision of music, street art, workshops, and pop-up creativity — bursting with energy, colour, and the voices of emerging talent.
We were proud to support the event by coordinating a group of street artists to paint live on a purpose-built wall, creating an evolving mural that captured the spirit of the day.
We also invited other artists to bring their own materials and share the space, transforming it into an open, collaborative zone of spontaneous expression. It was powerful, messy, joyful, and deeply grassroots — exactly the kind of creative energy we’re here to champion.
Sidlesham Memorial Hall
July 5th 2025
Sidlesham Fun Day – A Community Art Celebration
The event evolved into a full community fun day, filled with colour, creativity, and connection.
We were invited by the hall to give the outside of the building a bit of a creative facelift—and we jumped at the chance. Thanks to a small budget, we were able to offer each participating artist a set fee to cover their materials. Some worked on smaller OSB boards, while others were invited to paint directly onto the building’s walls, creating a series of bold, vibrant murals and street art pieces.
We set up a dedicated area where young people could try their hand at spray painting and acrylic marker pens, making space for playful exploration and hands-on learning.
It was a joyful, collaborative afternoon, with paint flying (literally!) and families engaging with art in a relaxed, welcoming environment
The Sussex PAOTY Competition is an exciting opportunity for both amateur and professional artists to battle it out for the prestigious accolade of Sussex Portrait Artist of the Year.
Featuring celebrity sitters, guest judges, artist stalls and live entertainment throughout the day - this unmissable event takes place at The Venue, Worthing once a year.
2025 was our inaugural year having taken over the former Worthing Portrait Artist of the Year.
We’re always on the lookout for creatives who want to get involved in future events like this.
Whether you’re an emerging street artist, a painter with bold ideas, or just love working live and interacting with the public — we’d love to hear from you.
Interested in joining us next time?
