Artist Development New Associates Meet our New Associates for 2024/25 here. "The generosity amongst the New Perspectives team and the other associates has been an absolute joy. Meeting new people I may not have otherwise and opening new doors with different areas of creative work would be more than worth it, but the workshops, masterclasses and more make it such a valuable experience" Ben Gilbert, New Associate 2023-24 What is New Associates? Each year we invite open applications and support a group of early-mid career artists from the East Midlands to join New Perspectives to develop their career and practise through close association with our award-winning touring theatre company at our Nottingham base. Starting in April of each year, this 12 month-long professional development programme gives the associate artists the chance to work closely with the well-connected New Perspectives team to develop their work, learn from our skills and gain valuable insights into our leadership and governance, as well as take part in a range of masterclasses and professional development opportunities that will help them build new skills and expertise. Our New Associates become part of the company's extended network, involved with our work as it develops and playing their own part in our future. Many of our New Associates continue to have strong relationships with New Perspectives even after the programme ends, with some of our past members coming back to take a place on our board or returning to be a part of one of our productions. "This industry can be challenging, but over this past year, by being part of this wonderful group of New Associates and working with New Perspectives, it has given me the chance to think outside the box, has encouraged me and opened up my eyes to the different avenues that I may want to take" Kate Spencer, New Associate 2022/23 What does the programme look like? "We had inspiring workshops with a range of artists and creatives, were given continuous personal guidance on funding, as well as making a group of friends and collaborators for life" Elizabeth Twells, New Associate 2020/21 The shape of the programme will vary depending on the requirement of each artist. Our aim, through a blend of in person and online sessions, is to offer the specific support that each artist needs to take a crucial next step. Over the last 5 years, New Perspectives flagship talent development programme has provided bespoke support for 53 associate artists. So far for our 2023/24 cohort, we have enabled: ● Over 75 hours of 1-to-1s ● 23 days of in-kind rehearsal space ● Support for Arts Council England prrogrammes 13 Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) and 6 National Lottery Project Grants (NLPG) applications ● 9 online workshops with industry guests ● 7 reading room sessions - peer sharing of work in development ● 6 'go sees' to plays presented in the region ● 5 full day masterclass/workshop sessions New Associate opportunities include: Bespoke masterclasses, skills sessions and professional development opportunities Invitations to company rehearsals, readings, workshops and participatory events Tailored support on a particular project or skill-set including, where appropriate, rehearsal space, mentoring, dramaturgical support, marketing, funding and touring advice Access to staff and board expertise and networks Opportunities to observe board meetings, and take part in planning sessions to act as a sounding board for new ideas Possibilities to collaborate with other New Associates as creative peers and foster connections with other industry professionals and theatre companies across the region Support in your projects and work by sharing information throughout our networks "My time as a New Associate helped connect me with an eclectic and contemporary roster of Midlands artists, as well as giving the opportunity to peek behind the curtain of one of the most exciting and intriguing company's going on in the Midlands today" Ryan Leder, New Associate 2019/20 Find out what aspects of New Associates most helped 2023/24 associate artists Sarah 'Rain' Kolawole and Natalie Chan in their blog posts. Applications for the 2024-25 New Associates programme have now closed. Applications for 2025-26 will open in January 2025.