Barbican Women Programme Brings Connection and Creativity to International Women’s Day 2026

Barbican Business Events marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a 10-day Barbican Women programme inspired by this year’s theme, Give To Gain.

Barbican Business Events is reflecting on International Women’s Day 2026 and the Barbican Women programme, which brought colleagues and partners together over 10 days of activities throughout March. Centred on this year’s theme, Give To Gain, the programme celebrated generosity, collaboration and shared learning through a series of events designed to foster connection, creativity and wellbeing.

Beginning on Thursday 5 March, the Barbican Women calendar was developed collaboratively with teams across the Barbican. The programme combined networking opportunities, wellbeing sessions, creative workshops and chances to engage with the Centre’s cultural offer. Colleagues were invited to swap and donate clothing, experiment with collage and scrapbooking, take part in a boxing session, and connect with one another during a private view in the Art Gallery and Conservatory.

Francesca Pacinella, Barbican Business Events account manager and Barbican Women Network Co-chair, said: “International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s history and achievements, a moment to come together in support, solidarity and joy. This year’s theme, Give To Gain, champions generosity and collaboration and has inspired the Barbican Women programme. The Give To Gain programme was shaped around a simple idea: when we share time, skills and encouragement, everyone benefits. Events throughout March created opportunities to meet new colleagues, learn from one another, support wellbeing and celebrate the many ways women contribute to the workplace and wider society.”

For Barbican Business Events, International Women’s Day also provides an opportunity to reflect on the role venues can play in supporting equity, representation and a sense of belonging. As a destination for conferences, meetings and cultural experiences, the Business Events team works with organisers to help shape environments that feel welcoming, accessible and thoughtfully designed for every attendee.

Throughout the year, Barbican Business Events champions initiatives that elevate diverse voices and strengthen community. This includes encouraging organisers to consider representation across panels and programmes, prioritise wellbeing within event schedules, and pay attention to the small design choices that shape how people experience a space, from arrival through to the closing moments.
 

Programme highlights included:

• Breakfast and Poetry, featuring a reading by Barbican Young Poets alumna Ishita Uppadhayay

• A Clothing Swap and donation drive, encouraging mindful reuse and pre-loved contributions

• A gentle Sound Bath on the Hall Stage, marking the spring equinox and intention setting

• Private View and Networking in the Art Gallery and Conservatory, celebrating artist Beatriz González and hosted in collaboration with City of London’s W.I.N.

• Collage and Scrapbooking, a creative workshop open to all and hosted by Carmen Okome

• Boxing in the Fountain Room, led by two female coaches including Barbican Women’s own Ellinna Horton, focused on movement, confidence and community

Francesca Pacinella added: “The most powerful part of the programme is what it unlocks, time to connect, to listen, and to be part of a community that supports one another. Those moments matter at work, and they matter beyond International Women’s Day.”

The Barbican is one of the world’s leading conference and international arts venues. Located in the City of London, it is capable of holding meetings from 10-2,000 delegates in its fully equipped concert hall, theatres, conference suites and boardrooms. Barbican Business Events brings together the venue’s expertise in the arts and corporate meetings. Built as part of London’s Barbican development and officially opened in March 1982 by HM Queen Elizabeth, unlike many other venues, Barbican was specifically built with the dual purpose of holding conferences and arts events presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.