OPEN CALL: Co-Act

About the Open Call

Co-Act is a new artist development programme for socially engaged artists and artists working at the intersection of art and community practice, supported by Jerwood Foundation. The programme will support two, early-career artists to develop collaborative and socially engaged ways of working over 18-months. It includes regular meet-ups, workshops, peer-led learning, shadowing experienced artists, and wrap-around support from an artist mentor and NewBridge staff. Artists will critically explore ideas, processes, and the politics and ethics of working within communities. Each artist will be paid an artist fee and supported to develop a new artwork or project, with an opportunity to make it public towards the end of the programme. The programme emphasizes process over outcome and is rooted in mutual relationship building and openness to learning and sharing. It aims to build on NewBridge's groundwork in Shieldfield and across the North East, connecting to existing projects like Reading Room, For Solidarity, Memory Café, Lady Parties, The Collective Studio, TopSoil, and Shieldfield Youth Programme. The ethos is one of open exploration of collaborative, participatory, co-operative, and co-production methods, with a focus on ethical engagement and reciprocal processes within communities.

What is Offered

An artist fee of £5652 for 36 days' work over 18 months, plus a budget of £1500 for development and production of a new commission. The programme includes regular small group sessions, up to 8 mentoring sessions with an experienced socially engaged practitioner, workshops with guest artists, up to 5 days shadowing an artist/collective, paid research, development, and delivery time. Artists will have access to NewBridge's Reading Room, equipment, and hot desk space. There will be an opportunity to share the artwork/project publicly in 2027.

Requirements

Applicants should be early-career artists with 2 to 4 years of experience working with collaborative or socially-engaged methods, or equivalent experience in community organising. A commitment to reciprocal processes and relationship building with people is essential. Applicants should be prepared to interact with the public and engage in community-led activities.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday 4th November 2025, 5pm. Submit a PDF (or audio/video recordings) via email to applications@thenewbridgeproject.com. Label files as _Your_Name_CoAct_Application_. Include: 1. A short biography (no more than 250 words/2 min recording). 2. A short statement (no more than 500 words/6 min recording) detailing past social practice, approach to this opportunity, and why it appeals. 3. A brief CV (no more than one side of A4) with contact details and pertinent experience. 4. Up to 3 images or weblinks to show past projects. Applicants are also asked to complete an Equal Opportunities and Diversity Monitoring Form.