Are you an early career or emerging creative connected to Salford and committed to learning about creative technology (CreaTech)?
This special opportunity provides a week of mentored workshops, with one successful candidate receiving £5k in funding to develop their idea and the chance to showcase their work at the BEYOND Fringe. Apply before August 11th!
Taking place from Monday 22nd to Friday 26 September 2025, 10am – 6pm, at the University of Salford’s DevLab in MediaCity, the CreaTech Artist CoLab project will include participatory workshops, practice development and a commission opportunity.
You will 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 and 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’ fringe event on November 24th 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 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.
Lightwaves 2023, DevLab installation, artist Anabeth Robinson with Yorkshire Life Aquatic.
Details about the project
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)
Lightwaves 2022, DevLab installation view, artist Paul Miller.
About 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 – [email protected] with ‘CreaTech Artist CoLab Application’ in the subject.
How to Apply
Deadline for applications is Midnight on Monday 11th August 2025 – apply now!
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.
Unfortunately we are unable to give feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
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, around the themes of The Creator Economy, Innovation Districts, and CreaTech. Attendees can expect a dynamic programme of expert speakers, groundbreaking projects, showcases, workshops, and enhanced networking opportunities. Early Bird tickets are available now. Concession tickets are also available.
Vera’s Not Alone, 2022, DevLab Installation view, artist Pravel Prokopic
_ _ _ _