Find Creative Opportunities
After career experience, applications to new creative residencies, jobs or opportunties in Nottingham? Then this page is for you! We’ll be colating and sharing the newest and most exciting creative opportunities to date. Make sure to check back weekly for updates!
Cultivate
🗓️ Saturday 2nd May
🕰️ 3pm – 5:30pm
📍 New Art Exchange
New Art Exchange is inviting applications from Nottingham-based organisations for the Cultivate programme, a year-long initiative designed to support organisations to strengthen a key area of their work and plan for future growth.
The programme offers time, space and support for organisations to reflect on their practice, explore new ideas and develop a clear plan for the next phase of their work.
The selected organisation will participate in two development workshops focused on ambition and vision, as well as mentoring conversations and an organisational review process designed to support organisational learning and strategic development.
This opportunity is open to organisations based in Hyson Green, as well as Global Ethnic Majority-led organisations based elsewhere in Nottingham that work directly with communities in Hyson Green.
The Next Page masterclasses (May-August)
Big City Reads is our bi-annual book giveaway extravaganza! This year we’ve set up a Youth Selection Panel, a talented group of young people who selected our titles. Keep an eye out for our Big City Reads 2026 announcement and authors’ day event soon.
Whilst we are warming up, we are running a youth talent development programme designed to strengthen critical writing skills and deepen engagement with literature with exciting masterclasses on how to interview an author, being on a panel, and demystifying the publishing industry.
For full details and to sign up visit the next page website here
SATURDAY ART CLUB FACILITATORS
New Art Exchange
NAE are looking to add to our pool of facilitators, so we are calling out to anyone who may be interested in running a series of our Saturday Art Club sessions. We are looking for people who are keen to work with young people (12 and under) and their families across varying visual art forms. Each season will change to suit the main exhibition at NAE.
Acting for Screen Summer School
Nottingham Playhouse
Mon 10 – Tue 11 Aug
Led by Kieran Vyas, our exciting Acting for Screen workshop will teach you all the things you need to know to stand out and shine on camera!
Ready to take your acting to the next level? Whether you dream of starring in films or TV shows, our 2-day Acting for Screen Summer School is the perfect place to start. Get hands-on experience with professional techniques, camera work, and performance style to help you shine on screen!
If you’re looking for an engaging activity to take part in this summer, this could be the workshop for you.
11-18-year-Olds
Find out more and how to apply here
Gallery Art Group
Saturdays 18 April – 16 May & 6 June – 4 July , 10.30am
Visual Arts Studio, Lakeside Arts
See your creative expression flourish! Our Associate Artists will take their inspiration from our current exhibitions programme to lead workshops that explore materials, develop art skills and technique whilst building confidence in a relaxed and sociable environment.
Meet like-minded peers, build your GCSE or A-level portfolio and/or work towards an Arts Award qualification – all in a relaxed and sociable environment.
This workshop is designed for children to enjoy independently. Parents and carers, feel free to relax in our lovely cafés or explore our galleries while the kids get creative.
For ages 11-18, Cost: £120 including materials
BFI Film Academy Alumni: Case Studies & Network Sign-Up
Explore inspiring stories from regional alumni and see where their BFI Film Academy journey has taken them.
If you’ve taken part in a Midlands BFI Film Academy Short or Specialist Course, join our alumni network by signing up to the database – gain access to exclusive opportunities and stay connected with future prospects. Check out here.
Germinator Open Call
GERMINATOR 26/27 — OPEN CALL
With the first Germinator exhibition closing today and degree show season beginning, Haarlem Artspace and Playing Fields are pleased to announce the next iteration of the programme.
Germinator developed in response to the shifting conditions of art education and the widening gap between academic study and the realities of sustaining a practice beyond it. As courses come under increasing pressure and professional development is increasingly sidelined, many graduates leave without access to the networks, knowledge and context needed to navigate the art world. Projects like this feel increasingly important — particularly in regional areas outside so-called cultural centres — where opportunities for recent graduates and early-career artists can be limited despite the vital role they play within the wider creative ecosystem.
The programme is a small but direct response: supporting recent graduates connected to the East Midlands through a year of mentoring, dialogue and practical guidance, culminating in a group exhibition at Haarlem Artspace. Following the success of the first iteration, we are now looking ahead to the next cohort and are particularly interested in artists committed to developing their practice through critical dialogue and long-term engagement.
Graduated in the last few years…or about to graduate?
Based in (or connected to) the Midlands?
Send a short introduction + link to your work: [email protected] before August 31
Tutors, lecturers and peers — please share or recommend someone.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ZINES
A Creative Literacy Workshop at Nottingham Women’s Centre
Empowerment Through Zines is an 6‑week creative course designed to help you build confidence with reading, writing, and self‑expression in a relaxed, supportive space.
Together, we will explore women’s stories, rights, and experiences, using these as inspiration to create your own personal zine — a small, handmade booklet that reflects your voice, ideas, and creativity.
Throughout the course, you’ll have the chance to:
- Develop your reading, writing, and communication skills at your own pace
- Try out creative techniques such as drawing, collage, lettering and simple design
- Share stories, ideas, and inspiration with other women in a friendly group
- Build confidence through hands-on activities and gentle guidance from an experienced tutor
- By the end of the course you will create, publish and showcase your zines and contribute your work to a small exhibition in the library (optional)
Please register in advance by emailing [email protected] or call 0115 941 1475 (Mon-Fri 9-5)
Amplify Co-Working Sessions
Nottingham Playhouse
Thu 30 Apr & Mon 18 May, 10am
For creatives who have work to be getting on with but like being around other people doing the same, Company is booked out for AMPLIFY members from 10am-5pm. We’ll provide tea and coffee. Come along for a check in first thing, and we’ll have an end of day accountability check in for those that want it. Or just drop in when it suits you – even if just to say hello.
In cosy corner, we have the Play Library up and running, so if you have any plays you’d like to re-home and gift to the theatre community, please bring them along – and of course feel free to take a play or two home with you to bring back another time.
Free | £5 suggested donation
New Nottingham Journal 2026 Submissions Open
All submissions should be in Arial, 12 point, double-spaced, with your name and email address in the header. Please attach your piece/s to your email, as a PDF, Google Doc or Word document.
Please send these to [email protected] before Saturday the 16th of May. We ask that you include a brief one sentence bio for yourself which could be included in our contributors section. Here are some guidelines for our content categories:
Poetry: please send up to four poems in one document – each should be no more than 2000 characters, including spaces.
Short fiction: please send pieces up to 4000 words.
Creative non-fiction & slow journalism: please send pieces up to 4000 words.
During this submission window we are seeking to publish original material, rather than pieces which have already appeared on the web or elsewhere in print. We will consider original translations if the work has not appeared before in English. We do not currently accept postal submissions.
NextGen Hub Nottingham
Introducing NextGen Hub!
Calling all young creatives in Nottingham and surrounding areas! We’re excited to unveil Next Gen Hub, a brand-new series of sessions just for you!
What’s in store?
• Songwriting & Spoken Word Masterclasses: Unleash your creativity and craft your own music.
• Event Management Skills: Gain the know-how to lead and organise a fantastic festival event this summer!
• Wellbeing & Relationships: Explore how to nurture your mental health and build meaningful connections.
• Voice Work & Tone: Improve your singing skills with expert guidance.
• Dance & Relaxation: Find your rhythm and unwind through movement.
Session tutors will be revealed soon! Stay tuned for more details on the experts who’ll be guiding you through each session.
A huge thank you to Near Neighbours Nottingham for funding our inclusive creative project especially designed in consultation with young people at Community Recording Studios (CRS) in Nottingham.
📢 Stay Tuned!
More details on how to sign up and get involved are coming soon. Keep an eye out for updates and get ready to join the creative journey!
Sugar Stealers
Sugar Stealers are offering free creative and wellbeing opportunities for all women and gender expansive people. These workshops are made to suit a wide range of abilities & all necessary equipment will be provided for you, so don’t worry if you are a first timer!
Free 8 week Music Industry Development Programme (Podcasting, event planning, DJ-ing, Music Production, Sound Engineering, Industry Mentorship, Rehearsal Space). Limited spaces available, advised to apply soon to secure a spot! https://www.sugarstealers.com/music
Free 5 Week Music Tuition For People Facing Financial Barriers (DJ-ing, Music Production, Sound Engineering): https://www.sugarstealers.com/tuition
SWEF Grants: Young People in Nottinghamshire
Grants of up to £2000 are available to young people in Nottinghamshire who need support with a business investment, targeted at those who are not in education, employment or training.