Happy Opportunity Tuesday!

17 January 2023

It’s that time of the week again!

I’m writing this fresh out of interviews today, and am interviewing for the rest of the week too - for Arts Support Workers at RivelinCo (where I am Director) and for a General Manager at The Montgomery (where I am a Trustee).

It’s such a huge privilege to interview people. I love hearing about different approaches and experiences, and sharing in so much enthusiasm for what we’re all trying to make happen all the time. It’s a useful reminder for me, too - many of the best people I’ve ever hired have been people who may not have had a look-in if the company had specified a certain (unnecessary) qualification, or if they’d been vetted first by disconnected HR: people who may not have qualifications but do have lived experience, people from other sectors with transferable skills, people who have developed through volunteering or unpaid caring rather than traditional work, people who are semi-retired and are trying something new, people who deserve a second chance or were perhaps never given a first one. If we claim that in our sector ideas and creativity are our currency, we shouldn’t be afraid to be a bit radical in who we hire and how - it often really pays to take risks (and as we know, often it’s not even about risk, it’s just bias!)

This is not a new take, and I know as freelancers many of us are on the receiving end most of the time. So maybe just a reminder then, for those rare moments when we do find ourselves in the privileged and powerful position of sitting on panels or selection committees. People, and what they bring, are more than just walking CVs. Let’s see what happens if we collectively consider potential over GCSE results, degrees, or age?

Speaking of wonderful people, as ever there are lots of them writing important and useful things this week! Here are just a few to pop on your reading list:

• This excellent ArtsPro article by Binita Walia, about use of language in PR, advocacy and activism.

• This scarily good AI-written ACE Project Grants answer which Producer Jake Orr shared this week - are we soon going to be out of a job?!

• This really useful advice from Vic Hancock Fell, who after 15 years as a fundraiser has just spent her first week on the other side of the assessment and now has some tips for us all!

Now, on with the main event…

Happy Opportunity Tuesday!

Every Tuesday I share 10 #artsopps, commissions, residencies, open calls and applications closing soon.

Always PAID (or free/cheap for training) and for a range of artists: emerging to mid-career, from 16 to 80+.

Here are this week’s…

For performance artists and companies:

Apply for Bradford Producing Hub’s Big Commission to get £60,000 to develop a new production to be premiered at the BD: Festival on 28/29 July 2023!

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: MON 30 JAN

For early career writers:

Unlimited Theatre are looking for someone to join them for the development of a brand new gender euphoric trans mid-scale musical, in a creative team led by Jamie Fletcher. £1500 initial fee plus expenses.

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: THU 9 FEB

For cultural leaders:

Applications are now open for the Clore Fellowship 2023/24 and a number of fully funded Fellowships are available for exceptional individuals working in arts, culture and heritage. Get a year of incredible support including financial support, coaching/mentoring, residentials and skills workshops, a development budget and more - it’s an incredible opportunity and they’re not just looking for ‘traditional’ leaders. I applied in 2021, never thought I had any chance of getting in, then did and it genuinely transformed my career. Go go go!

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: THU 23 FEB

For artists of all disciplines:

Apply for the COAL Prize with your project ideas connected to plants, to win 12,000 euros and an artist residency at a human and wildlife commune in the heart of the Domaine de Belval.

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: SUN 19 MAR

For directors:

Apply to be Assistant Director or Associate Director with Theatre-Rites! Assist on the UK tour of Zoe's Peculiar Journey Through Time (paid £3,850) or join as Associate for a new co-production with Schauspielhaus Bochum, Germany (paid £6,500).

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: MON 30 JAN

For creatives who are or have been homeless:

Apply for the 2023-24 Associate Leadership Programme led by Arts & Homelessness International to get access to training and workshops, coaching, a placement with a cultural organisation, and the opportunity to collaborate on artistic work. All meetings, training etc will be paid, and travel, accommodation and meals will be covered.

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: SUN 12 FEB

For early career producers:

Told By An Idiot are looking for an Assistant Producer to support their projects and productions, including community engagement and artist development. Paid £26,000pa pro rata (3 days per week)

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: THU 2 FEB

For theatre-makers and producers based in Scotland:

The Studio in Edinburgh is open and offering 3 R&D residencies to test new ideas! Get 5 days of free rehearsal space, two days of tech support, £2000 seed funding and other support.

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: MON 30 JAN

For artists making work about climate:

The Royal Docks are looking for compelling creative projects (any artform) that respond to the climate emergency to be part of their programme next year! Youth-led companies can get between £1-10k, and people pitching family-friendly activities can get £1-15k.

Find out more and apply here

DEADLINE: MON 6 FEB

For producers:

Imagine If are currently recruiting a Creative Producer to work across all their creative projects, and to take a lead on the producing, operational and financial side of the company. Paid £34,000pa pro rata (3 days per week) for 12 months, with the opportunity to extend.

Find out more and apply

DEADLINE:TUE 31 JAN

That’s it for this week!

Really hope it’s useful. It’s a tough time for artists (and, well, everyone) at the mo so please look after each other out there. Let me know if you’re successful with your applications - I love hearing from you! And as always if you enjoy Opportunity Tuesday please share to help us reach the folks who need it most. I started it to try to level the playing field a bit, and every little helps.

Opportunity Tuesday will always be free to access, but if you can afford to chip in a little something to support me to keep it going, that would be hugely appreciated - just click the button below to support with £1 per week. (I’m freelance too!)

Thank you for your support, and I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. Good luck!

P.S. The part you’ve all been waiting for - Mabel says hi

Please note: Inclusion in #OpportunityTuesday is not endorsement. I look far and wide for the most interesting and exciting paid opportunities I can find, and though I do my best to make sure they’re legit, I don’t always know the organisations well. If you have an issue with something on the list, please get in touch with the relevant organisation. You are very welcome to send me opportunities to include, but please note I will not be able to respond to every request, and I do not guarantee inclusion in the list - each week is curated to be varied and relevant. Thanks!