Creative Associates 2026
This summer we are looking to recruit two new Creative Associates to undergo a six-month residency with New Writing North. Each Creative Associate will receive £4000 towards a new creative project, as well as receiving support from New Writing North and mentoring to develop their artistic practice.
In addition, we have partnered with Tyneside Cinema to recruit a Screenwriter in Residence, and with Live Theatre to recruit a Writer in Residence.
For these opportunities, we are looking for writers and creatives based in the North East Combined Authority region (County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland).
Creative Associates
As a New Writing North Creative Associate, you will receive support for six months to develop a new piece of artistic work. Creative Associates bring fresh perspectives to the organisation, and we have no preconceptions about what form the work may take, although it must involve writing in some form. There will be a bursary of £4,000 for each Associate, and you will be provided with the space, time and support from New Writing North to develop your creative project. Associates will also receive a bespoke mentoring package to help you develop your project.
Deadline Monday 8 June, 9am.
Tyneside Cinema Screenwriter in Residence
As Screenwriter in Residence at Tyneside Cinema, you will receive support to create a new piece of artistic work for the screen. There will be a budget of £4,000 to support the creation of the work. Alongside support from Tyneside Cinema and New Writing North, the Screenwriter in Residence will be provided with 3-6 months of desk space at the Tyneside Cinema offices, with free access to the cinema’s daily programme of independent cinema from all over the world, including filmmaker Q&As, discussions and special events. You will also have access to the cinema’s extensive archive, detailing programmes going all the way back to the 1960s and will spend time with the cinemas creative team and filmmaker guests as you develop your creative practice while based at the cinema.
Deadline Monday 8 June, 9am.
Live Theatre Writer in Residence
As Writer in Residence at Live Theatre, you will receive support to create a new piece of artistic work for the stage. There will be a budget of £4,000 to support the creation of the work and you will be supported by a professional theatre writer who will provide tailored mentoring, dramaturgy and feedback through sessions across the residency. You will have designated desk space at Live Theatre and access to the writers’ rooms in the building, as well as access to Live Theatre’s wider team for additional guidance around creative practice, producing, marketing and funding to support more agile working artist in the sector. The chosen writer will be invited into the life of the building, with access to script development processes and rehearsals for Live Theatre’s in-house productions and artist development projects, as well as the opportunity to contribute to a reading and selection panel for Live’s artist development work. The residency also includes free tickets to Live’s produced shows, discounts on visiting theatre, and the opportunity for work to be staged at Live Theatre in 2027/28, either as a standalone production or as part of Live’s annual New Writing Festival.
Deadline Monday 8 June, 9am.
Entry criteria
This project is funded by The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and therefore only open to writers residing within a postcode located in the North East MSA region (County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland).
At the time the Residency begins, writers must not be engaged in full-time education or enrolled in another government-funded, North East MSA funded skills programme or higher education (HE) programme.
If you require any further information, please email [email protected].
Supported by
The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Tyneside Cinema
Live Theatre
