Creatives in Residence, School of Communication and Creativity • City St George's, University of London

The Creatives in Residence (CiR) @ City St George's Scheme provides a platform for early career creative practitioners to grow and explore their practice in a socially engaged and politically conscious centre of educational excellence, contributing to world-changing interdisciplinary research alongside the School’s students and staff.

About the scheme

This initiative aims to:

Provide the CiRs with a supportive, experimental and challenging environment in which to develop their professional practice. This will culminate in the completion of a creative project, developed during the duration of the residence
Encourage mutual learning and collaboration between students, staff and CiR, inspiring new models of practitioner-led teaching and the identification of areas for potential curriculum development e.g. music artistry, playwriting, spoken word poetry, podcasting, videography
Increase and diversify the School’s engagement with the general public, local creative communities and freelance/independent practitioners
Diversify the perspectives and experiences of creative practice within the School’s community.

What We Offer to Creatives in Residence at City St George's

A 12-month residency with the title Creative in Residence @ City St George's
Access to the School campus, including a shared workspace and the opportunity to collaborate with staff and students on a regular basis
Space to host workshops, exhibitions, open mic/scratch nights, performances and showcases
Access to City St George's Library
A City St George's email address
Access to performance and studio spaces out of teaching hours/out of term
The option to attend community activities, selected lectures/classes of interest, and media training sessions.
Membership of the Institute of Advanced Studies community, including access to all events
Opportunities to meet members of staff across the school, pitching your skills and knowledge for potential (paid) teaching/mentoring opportunities.

What we expect from Creatives in Residence at City St George's

Completion of a tangible creative project, and delivery of a final presentation on completion of the residency, showcasing the project
Engagement with the School community, sharing skills, experience and practice, and collaborating through events, student projects/informal mentoring, and public activities
Promoting your creative practice in the School and acting as an ambassador for City St George's within your networks.
Delivering one masterclass/workshop to our student and/or staff community
Spending a minimum of five days in the School per term.

Male student performing on stage at Urdang 'The Drowsy Chaperone'

SCC Creatives in residence alumni network

We are delighted to confirm that we have now launched our SCC Creatives in residence alumni network. After spending a year as Creatives in Residence, these young industry professionals continue to practice and perform in the School, and work with our staff and students for up to five hours each term.

Eligibility

The Creatives in Residence @ City St George's Scheme is open to early career creative/media practitioners, with under five years of professional experience. Areas of practice may include (but are not limited to):

composers/sound artists
musicians
video/film artists
dancers/choreographers
performance artists
visual artists
writers
spoken word artists
interdisciplinary artists.

Applicants’ practice should reflect the School’s identity and mission. We support and develop the next generation of practitioners and entrepreneurs who work across the cultural, creative, music, heritage and media sectors.

We are deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we are working to transform these sectors by educating and empowering students from under-represented backgrounds and supporting them to excel. Our Creatives in Residence should share these values.

Creatives of all genders, ethnicities, national origins, sexual orientations/identities, religions/beliefs, education and physical abilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants who identify as Black or belonging to the African diaspora are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be resident in the UK.

Applicants need not have any prior experience of studying or working at a university.

Selection criteria and process

Three CiR each year will be selected based on the following criteria:

Demonstrable commitment to establishing themselves as an independent/freelance creative, with a dedicated and focused creative practice
Strength of tangible creative project plan and intended outputs
Potential collaborator with vision for integrated engagement with the School
Alignment with School’s identity and mission and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a panel composed of members of the School and established creatives of various disciplines, identities, and practices.

How to apply

Please submit the following by email to Johanna Payton:

A statement of interest (maximum two pages) describing:
- your creative practice and professional experiences
- your motivation to apply as a Creative in Residence
- your alignment with the School’s identity and mission
- examples of your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity, and ideas for how you intend to transform professions in this space.
A tangible project plan for your residency, with monthly milestones and measurable intended outcomes
Three practice or work samples as PDFs, JPEGS, MP3 or MP4
- If submitting audio/video, please limit your submission to 15 minutes by providing cues/excerpts
- Web links to work samples and press releases are allowed
- Where applicable, work samples that capture a broader aspect of your practice are encouraged (ie. interacting with community, engaging in collaboration, etc… )
- MIDI renderings will not be accepted for composers/sound artists
A Curriculum Vitae including contact information.

The deadline is 31 May 2024.

Facilities in the School of Communication and Creativity

Vocalists and performers on any instrument, laptops and electronic devices plus any other sound-making objects come together to form City St George's experimental ensemble.
The Department of Journalism's TV studio allows simultaneous multi-media broadcast.
The Department of Performing Arts has outstanding facilities for performance, sound recording and composition.
The Journalism department has four radio studios and two radio broadcast studios with high-tech facilities.
Our Department of Performing Arts encompasses Urdang at City St George's which is based in the Old Finsbury Town Hall and specialises in musical theatre.