Hi folks
A big, warm welcome to all the new people who’ve joined from the Making Ways newsletter, and anywhere else that’s shared Opportunity Tuesday this month. I love that it’s still connecting with people after 7 and a bit years…and it’s wild that it’s been that long! I made the move from Twitter to Substack a couple of years ago, and there are now over 5,000 artists and creatives subscribed to this newsletter - wow. I’m so glad it continues to be useful for people.
P.S. a little apology from me for needing to take a short unexpected break from OppTues earlier this month - I need to do that very occasionally I’m afraid when life/work becomes particularly chaotic, but I promise I always come back as soon as I’m able.
Hope there’s something useful here for you this week - enjoy! x
Happy Opportunity Tuesday!
Every Tuesday (well, almost) 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 socially engaged artists:
Metal is looking for a lead artist for Positive Notes, a new project about uncovering the hidden gems of Peterborough's history, working with young people aged 13-25. The artist will co-create a series of vibrant placemarkers to create an art trail across the city that will spread positivity, spark discovery and warmly welcome people into Peterborough. Paid £300 per day (£5,100 total fee).
DEADLINE: 10 APR
For theatre-makers:
Voila! Theatre Festival are looking for artists making genre-defying, multilingual, border-busting theatre to be part of their fringe-style festival. They will support and mentor theatre-makers to take the next steps in self-producing their work, and aim to create a home for artists to speak in their own voice, accent, and language.
DEADLINE: 22 APR
For early career outdoor and street artists:
South Tyneside Council are looking for artists for their Summer Festival opening parade, which is one of the largest in the north of England. They are looking to programme special commissions on 6th July - which could be street theatre or static interactive installations - at two performance locations on their Promenade. The budget is £500 - £1500 per commission, inclusive of fee, travel, accommodation and equipment.
DEADLINE: 30 APR
For performers:
Performance collective Snap-Elastic are looking for two male singer/performers, inclusive of trans and cis men, for Dussskk, a new immersive, interdisciplinary performance made with teenagers with additional support needs. Paid £700 per week plus holiday pay, and accommodation/travel where relevant.
DEADLINE: 1 APR
For visual artists:
The Cicek Artist Prize is for emerging artists from all backgrounds, aiming to provide artists with a platform to showcase their talents, gain recognition, and further their creative journeys. Win up to £5,000 plus exhibition opportunities, mentorship, and promotion through Cicek Gallery.
DEADLINE: 30 JUN
For writers:
VAULT Creative Arts, the former producers of VAULT Festival, have announced the first VCA Playwriting Award. One writer will be chosen to receive £2,000, as well as a fully-produced realisation of their script at VCA’s current home, The Glitch in Waterloo. The opportunity is for writers with a new script, at any stage in their career.
DEADLINE: 4 APR
For visual artists:
The UK's biggest public art exhibition, The Gallery, challenges traditional models of viewing art. Selected works are displayed on digital screens and billboards in over 55 towns and cities in the UK. The Gallery is inviting artists to make work in response to the theme: It's Not Easy Being Green - how can art inspire meaning and generate ideas to help our societies navigate the environmental challenges that lie ahead? Selected artists will receive £2,000 fee plus other support.
DEADLINE: 13 APR
For screenwriters and film-makers:
UK Jewish Film Festival is launching a new film fund to support the production of three short films exploring British Jewish identity. Apply to create a 15-minute dramatic short aimed at teenagers, and get £2,500 fee plus a production budget of £25,000 per film. The films will premiere at the BAFTA-qualifying UK Jewish Film Festival in November 2026.
DEADLINE: 21 APR
For producers:
Apply to be a Producer with Good Chance! They’re looking for someone who shares their passion for using the power of theatre to change lives and minds. Lead on productions and projects, including transferring major productions and artworks. Paid £38,000-41,000pa, full-time, based in London (hybrid working).
DEADLINE: 13 APR
For film-makers:
Apply for an Aesthetica Film Festival grant to get up to £10,000 to fund new documentaries. All documentary styles are welcome, and entries should focus on narratives that uncover the unseen, unheard and unspoken - showing us just how much of life depends on our ability to truly listen. The audio landscape - be it dialogue, natural soundscapes, music, or effects - should be integral to the narrative, immersing the listener and driving the story forward.
DEADLINE: 21 APR
Plus a cheeky bonus one this week…for Creative Freelancers:
My company RivelinCo are hosting a series of FREE workshops for creative freelancers in/around Sheffield over the next few weeks. I’d love to see some of you there and we still have spaces left! Some are in person and some are online - book below :)
Adapting Your Practice For Creative Facilitation, with Deanna Rodger - Fri 28 March
Green Freelancing, with Julie’s Bicycle - Mon 31 March
Writing Funding Bids, with Christine Poulton - Mon 31 March
Creative Freelancers Toolkit and Strategy Day - Fri 4 April
All About Audio Description, with Quiplash - Mon 14 April
Designing Inclusive Workshops, with Grace Darbyshire - Thurs 15 May
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 it 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 legitimate and not problematic, 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 directly. 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. I don’t normally share ‘traditional’ salaried roles such as marketing, development, finance etc as they are often not relevant for artists. Thanks!