We are looking for 4 artists across a range of genres who are among the most exciting artists in the North East of England. We are looking for artists at any career stage, but at a ‘pivotal point’ in their career where this project will open up new possibilities and move their work forward. We are interested in project ideas which engage with the theme of climate change or use digital technology (although neither is essential).

The residency runs from September to June and is self-directed so you decide what you will do with the time and money available to create the final performance or digital project, with our support.

The package includes:£3000 towards your time

• £500 for creative development, e.g. 1 to 1 creative support and tuition, buying music equipment
• Residential retreat to work on your project away from the distractions of everyday life
• Access to the rehearsal spaces at Sage Gateshead
• Concert at Sage or digital event to showcase the project at the end of the residency
• Video footage of the final project for promotional use
• Access to advice and contacts from our team
• Access to wellbeing support – GP clinics especially for performers
• Additional money is available for access costs if needed, see below

As part of the role we may ask you to provide us with some ‘work in progress’ updates for use online (e.g. short videos, a blog post) and we may occasionally ask you to act as an ambassador for Sage Gateshead in media interviews.

We look for artists who are:

• Based in the North East
• Writing your own music in any genre
• A professional musician: regularly working and earning money from your original music before the pandemic, whether performances, commissions or releases
• Have been earning money from performing or writing music for at least 3 years
• Applying as an individual not as a group. Your project can involve other musicians, but they will only be paid a fee for the final performance.
• Have some experience of leading your own projects
• Over 18
• Not a previous Artist in Residence at Sage Gateshead

We recognise that some communities have not been represented in our previous work. We want to make sure this opportunity is available to everyone, no matter what your background or the challenges you have faced. For example, we would love to hear from you if you:

• Are Deaf, have a disability, learning difficulty or a long-term health condition
• Describe yourself as neurodivergent (this might include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autistic spectrum, Tourette’s syndrome and others)
• Consider yourself to be from a working class background
• Received free school meals in secondary school
• Grew up in a family receiving Universal Credit or state benefits
• Have ever lived in council or social housing, been on the housing register
• Have ever lived in sheltered accommodation or experienced homelessness
• Attended a state-run school and were the first generation in your family to attend university
• Experienced being in care at any point
• Were a young parent or young carer
• Have been a refugee or asylum seeker
• Are from the African, South, East and South-East Asian, Middle East or North African diaspora, or have experienced racism

These are some common examples of challenging circumstances but there may be others.

Sage Gateshead is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner in association with Youth Music. Find out more here.
Sage Gateshead is a signatory to Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles.

How to apply
Please fill out this form by Friday 11 June, 12pm.