CreaTech Artist CoLab Call Out
Deadline: Midnight Monday 11th August 2025
Are you an early career or emerging creative connected to Salford and committed to learning about creative technology? (CreaTech)
This opportunity is for artists from any non-digital discipline who would like to develop their practice and discover new ways of making. You may have taken initial first steps into the tech space, but no experience is required.
Taking place from Monday 22nd – Friday 26 September 2025, 10am – 6pm at the University of Salford’s DevLab in MediaCity, the project will include participatory workshops, practice development and a commission opportunity.
You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of applications and test out new ideas in a supported peer to peer learning environment, with a chance to share ideas, explore collaborations and pitch projects for further development.
We encourage you to bring your current practice with you, whether that be illustration, performance art, ceramics, visual art, dance, textiles etc, we are able to accommodate for a variety of mediums, you will have the opportunity to tell us more in your application.
Across four days, along with four other participants, you will take part in one participatory workshop per day with the following CreaTech specialists.
On the final day, all participants will be encouraged to develop and pitch a solo or collaborative project idea based on your learning. The University (University of Salford Art Collection and University of Salford School of Arts, Media, & Creative Technology) will then select one project to be further developed for showcasing at the Beyond Conference Day 0 event in November 2025
The successful project will receive funding of up to £5k (from University of Salford Art Collection) to cover artists time and production costs, as well as access to facilities and technical support from the University of Salford School of Arts, Media, & Creative Technology.
The artwork (an edition or element of) developed for Beyond Day 0 will then be acquired by University of Salford Art Collection.
The remaining participants will have the opportunity to share their work in progress as part of wider fringe events at Beyond and everyone will receive a free ticket to the BEYOND Conference.
About BEYOND Conference
BEYOND is the UK's leading annual conference for research and innovation in the creative industries. Bringing together thinkers, makers, researchers, creatives, startups, students, investors, and policymakers from around the globe, BEYOND explores the intersection of imagination, technology, and place. The 2025 conference will take place from 24-26 November 2025 at MediaCity, Salford, featuring themes such as the Creator Economy, Innovation Districts, and CreaTech. Attendees can expect a dynamic programme of expert speakers, groundbreaking projects, showcases, workshops, and enhanced networking opportunities.
The aim of this project is to enable artists to develop their existing practice to encompass new ways of working. Through access to existing CreaTech practitioners and the University of Salford’s facilities at Media City, the programme is designed to encourage the development of new networks that accelerate skills locally.
We will capture feedback to learn about your experience throughout, which will inform a case study to feature on the forthcoming Salford Culture Place Partnership digital platform which will be available as open access for creatives. Learning from this pilot project will inform the development of future programmes.
Two student observers from appropriate courses at the University of Salford will also attend the workshops to provide an opportunity to observe the process and see artists at work. It also opens the possibility of students assisting or contributing to technical and creative skills to the development of furthering the initial ideas, possibly all the way through to Beyond.
What You’ll Do:
- Participate in the CreaTech Artist CoLab week, including four day long workshops exploring how your current creative practice could be informed and / or combined with immersive and creative tech.
- On the final day of the week, propose an idea for a £5k funded commission to develop your concept further and showcase this at BEYOND Conference (24-26 November 2025)
- Work in a peer-to-peer learning cohort to develop early ideas
- Access facilities and expert support at the University of Salford’s DevLab
- Attend the BEYOND Conference (Optional)
- Share your work-in-progress at the BEYOND Conference fringe events (Optional)
You:
- Are an early career / emerging artist or creative practitioner from any background or discipline (not including digital/tech arts)
* an early career / emerging artist = someone who is in the early stages of their professional career, not yet earning the majority of their living as a full time creative - Live, learn or earn in Salford (including being a studio holder)
- Are committed to exploring creative technology and how it will evolve your practice
- Available for the entire five-day programme
- Available to attend BEYOND Conference on 24-26th November if you are successful at obtaining further funding or sharing your work in progress
- Are willing to participate in feedback during the week in the form of recorded interviews and soundbites (optional to be on film)
- Are registered as self-employed and responsible for paying your own tax and national insurance
- Have your own public liability insurance
You’ll Receive:
- A £250 bursary to contribute towards participation
- Free ticket to the Beyond Conference
- Access to technical support and University resources
- Access support as required
Where:
- Project dates: Monday 22nd – Friday 26th September, 10am – 6pm
- Location: DevLab, University of Salford, MediaCity, M50 2HE
If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Sally Gilford – culture@salford.gov.uk with ‘CreaTech Artist CoLab Application’ in the subject.
Deadline for applications: Midnight Monday 11th August 2025
We are unable to give unsuccessful applicants feedback.
Submit applications by following the link below and please complete our equal opportunities form HERE
This opportunity is delivered in partnership with Salford Culture and Place Partnership, University of Salford and Better Connected - GM Arts. Information and data relevant to the project will be shared across the partners.
