New Associates

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 practice through close association with our award-winning touring theatre company at our Nottingham base.

New Associates is our professional development programme,  associate artists taking part have 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.

Participants become part of the company's extended network, and are involved with our work as it develops 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.

Since our inaugural cohort in 2019/20 the programme has supported over 80 artists, you can see who they are here 

"New Perspectives has given me the confidence, learning and experience to keep going, keep putting myself forward to more employment opportunities in the industry, and to actually start getting paid for my creativity."

Grace Carter - New Associate 2024/25

What does the programme look like?

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 7 years, New Perspectives flagship talent development programme has provided bespoke support for over 80 associate artists.

For example, across the 2025/26 cohort we enabled :

• tailored support for artists through 1-to-1s
• in-kind rehearsal space 
• Support for Arts Council England programme funding applications
• online workshops with industry guests
• reading room sessions - peer sharing of work in development
• 'go sees' to plays presented in the region
• 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