Creative callout: opportunities & commissions for March & April 2025

A co-commission between LOWRY and QUAYS CULTURE

• DEADLINE FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: Monday 24th March 8:00am GMT
• £19,000 commission for a light artwork to show at major light festival at Salford Quays.
• Show dates: Lightwaves: 4th – 7th December 2025, to present artwork for the entirety of the festival.

The Commission:

Since opening in 2000, Lowry have hosted thousands of shows, hundreds of exhibitions, workshops and accessible activities for the community in Salford and beyond. We host a diverse intergenerational audience, with over 900,000 people attending across 2024. Within this commission want to explore and celebrate the history of Salford’s community and Lowry’s place within it.

It’s 25 years since Lowry opened its door to the public. To mark this, we are delivering Lowry Turns 25, a project that focuses on oral histories; collecting stories from people that remember the docks before Lowry was built, and throughout the building’s history. Working together with Lowry, Quays Culture will be commissioning a light artwork that is inspired by the stories and memories collected. The commissioned Artist will have access to an archive of audio stories, and access to Lowry staff and community members to allow further consultation to inspire the response. The artwork should look to draw inspiration from Lowry, its history as a cultural centre and the community of Salford Quays.

Lowry Turns 25 is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will deliver an ambitious heritage project celebrating Lowry’s 25th anniversary, bringing local histories to life, and exploring L.S. Lowry’s legacy as a champion of working class and industrial heritage.

More information and how to apply.

Saturday 5 April 10 – 2pm in the Grand Theatre Studio

Murmurations will be delivered for women by local creative women in a relaxed and welcoming female only space. This open and inclusive free workshop will explore the fascinating themes of gathering through storytelling, folklore, traditional song, music and dance and the way these artforms have drawn women together in the Northwest over the years. Sessions throughout the day include an inclusive dance/movement workshop with the Artistic Director of LPM Dance Company, Helen Gould MBE; words and storytelling with writer Zowie Dischord and a song workshop with folk duo Sue Bousfield & Liz Walmisley of Scolds Bridle.

To secure your place, please contact [email protected] Places are limited, so  book early!!

Boingboing Foundation is looking for people aged 16 to 25 in Blackpool to take part in a ground-breaking project called Blackpool Researching Together. The project aims to use research evidence to guide the way Blackpool Council services address health inequalities. You would be working within a research environment, but you don’t need to already have research skills or knowledge.

Contract type: Casual  

Pay: £12.60 per hour 

Hours: likely to be around 6 hours per week work available though this will vary 

Location: Baines Endowed Children’s Centre, Penrose Avenue, Blackpool, FY4 4DJ. Some remote working possible.  

Application deadline: Monday 31 March 2025 9am

The project 
The Blackpool Researching Together project focuses on four priority areas, and the impact these things have on our overall health. The four priority areas are: Housing, mental health, employment and education, conception to age two years.

You will never be required to share your personal stories, but before applying you should consider if you would feel safe and well talking about these topics as part of this role.

As a Co-researcher you will:

• Contribute to research and service development projects within Blackpool Council

• Work as part of a team alongside academics and practitioners within a research environment

• Use your lived expertise, where relevant, to shape Blackpool Council to work better for the community

• Take part in events and communications to engage with Blackpool residents

• Represent the voice of young community members

• Do admin tasks such as email, diary management, document creation using computer software such as Microsoft Office and Teams

• Take part in wider Boingboing Foundation culture such as team meetings, discussion groups and peer support sessions

Visit the job advert page to find out more and apply.

The Women’s Prize for Playwriting is the leading award for female and non-binary playwrights in the UK and Ireland. The 2025 Prize is now open for submissions until 5pm on Tuesday 22 April 2025.

The winner receives:

• £20,000
• The winning script is optioned by the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, Ellie Keel Productions, Paines Plough and Sheffield Theatre
• The play is published by Concord Theatricals

This Review is an opportunity for a national conversation about the future of Arts Council England and how creativity is nurtured and developed in the future. This survey is one part of that conversation and will enable a broad range of people to share their views and ideas. It is an essential part of the evidence collection for this Review.

This is your opportunity to help shape the review and influence the future of Arts Council England.

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport want to hear from anyone who has an interest in or a view about the operation of the Arts Council England and what it delivers. From the users of the art forms ACE funds, through creative practitioners, freelancers, national, local or community based organisations and institutions, all views will be welcomed and taken into consideration.

Find out more and respond here

• a brief talk from Engagement staff at the Heritage Fund
• insight from a previous applicant
• networking opportunities
• A chance for questions
• And of course, brunch…