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Artist commission: Peer Network Launch Event
Calling neurodivergent artists and creatives!
We are looking for three neurodivergent artists or creatives to create new work for the online launch of our national Peer Network in February 2026.
Each artist will receive £1,500, to cover the artist’s fee as well as any resources and expenses needed to make the final creative piece.
If there is anything we can do to make the application process more accessible or if you need to apply in a different way from what we have suggested below then please email us at hello@mainspringarts.org.uk
What is the Peer Network?
Mainspring Arts are launching a new national Peer Network for neurodivergent creatives. The new network is a direct response to feedback from neurodivergent creatives we’ve worked with.
The Peer Network will be a core part of our programme, creating a supportive neurodivergent creative community and offering a programme of activity shaped by its members.
We want the Peer Network to be designed by our community, for our community - which is why we want to commission ND artists to present work as part of our online launch.
About Mainspring Arts
Founded in 2015, Mainspring Arts is a neurodivergent and artist-led organisation that co-creates supportive neurodivergent spaces and communities that empower, uplift and nurture through creativity.
We’re based in Lancaster and serve the neurodivergent community both nationally and locally in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. We work across artforms, working closely with neurodivergent creatives and supporting them to develop their practice. We provide platforms for neurodivergent creatives to make and share work, and opportunities to meet and collaborate.
Our programmes are designed by and for neurodivergent creatives, and all creative decisions are made by neurodivergent participants and practitioners. All of our programmes have access at their core and are co-designed with participants to meet their needs and interests.
What kind of work are we looking for?
We are looking for work that celebrates neurodiversity - but how you do that is completely up to you! The three selected artists/creatives will each present their work at the online launch for the Peer Network, which will be held on Zoom.
The work doesn’t necessarily need to be created digitally, but it does need to be something you could present at an online event. We are interested in ideas that do this in unusual and inventive ways.
All creative forms are welcome - it could be performance, music, film, visual art, animation or something else - but we are looking for work that is about 5 to 15 minutes long, rather than something static like a selection of images. Work can be either pre-recorded or presented live.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for artists/creatives who:
Identify as neurodivergent (either formally or self-diagnosed).
Work in any and all creative forms, as long as the work is suitable to be presented at an online launch.
Are based in the UK - we hope to find artists who represent a range of areas of the UK.
Have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Are aged 18 or over.
Are self-employed and have permission to work in the UK.
Are available to make and complete work between mid-December 2025 and mid-February 2026
We are keen to hear from ND artists from communities who are underrepresented in the creative sector, including (but not limited to) people from the global majority, D/deaf and disabled, working class, migrant and LGBTQIA+ communities.
What will commissioned artists/creatives do?
Between January 2025 and February 2026, each artist will:
Design and make a new piece of work about 5 to 15 minutes in length that celebrates neurodiversity and neurodivergent artists and can be presented at an online launch.
Present the idea to our neurodivergent Peer Network Steering Group.
Respond to feedback from the Steering Group.
Attend up to four online meetings (held on Zoom) with our Peer Network Project Lead, Stella Barnes and/or Director Miranda Prag.
Make time for the creative piece to have an access audit to make it accessible to D/deaf and disabled audiences.
Make themselves available for the dates below.
Produce a rough draft and final piece of work for agreed deadlines.
Attend the launch of our national Peer Network.
Key dates
Closing date for applications: 10am on 8th December 2025
Selected artists contacted by: 22nd December 2025
Present the idea to Peer Network Steering Group: Tuesday, 20th January 2025
Produce rough draft of work: Monday 2nd February
Submit final work for access audit: Monday 9th February
Attend and present work at Peer Network launch: Wednesday 18th February 2026.
How to apply
You can apply in one of the following ways:
A voice message or video about 3 minutes long.
A written application of about 350 to 500 words (not including contact details and any links or images you want to include).
Please include your:
Full name
Email address
Phone number
Please answer the following 4 questions in your application:
Which regions in the UK do you make or present work in? About 10 words
What is your creative practice? Please include links to your work. About 15-30 words (not including links)
What is your idea for making and presenting a new piece of art that celebrates neurodiversity for our online Peer Network Launch? About 200-300 words
Why is this opportunity important to you? About 100-200 words
Please send your application to Stella at hello@mainspringarts.org.uk
Applications close at 10am on Monday 8th December 2025
Job opportunity: Fundraising Lead
Mainspring Arts are seeking an experienced Fundraising Lead to help us grow and sustain our programme.
In this part-time freelance role, the Fundraising Lead will develop our fundraising strategy, research and write funding bids, and identify new potential sources of income.
The Fundraising Lead will join the team at an exciting time as we expand our local and national programmes, explore new ways of working, and grow our organisation and community.
During the period of this contract Mainspring Arts will be exploring adopting a non-hierarchical organisational structure, based on collective decision making and shared responsibility. We are hoping to hear from candidates who are interested in this ethos, and are keen to be a member of the team on an ongoing basis (subject to funding).
As an organisation that champions neurodiversity, we strongly encourage neurodivergent people to apply, as well as people from other communities that are underrepresented in the creative sector. This includes (but is not limited to) people from the global majority, disabled, working class, migrant and LGBTQIA+ communities.
We’re looking for someone who:
has a strong track record of writing successful funding bids
has excellent knowledge of the arts and culture funding landscape
can write persuasively and creatively
is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
has a good understanding of neurodiversity and access
has experience of researching funding opportunities
has experience of developing and managing a fundraising strategy
has thorough and analytical research skills
is proactive, positive, and able to work on their own initiative
The role
Working closely with our Director, team and Board of Trustees, the Fundraising Lead will have the following responsibilities:
develop and initiate a fundraising strategy for the next year and onwards
research new potential sources of funding/support
write and submit relevant funding bids with a view to sustaining our programme
build on relationships with existing funders
contribute to ensuring that accessibility is at the heart of all activity
contribute to cultivating equity, diversity and inclusion for everyone within the organisation and its community
This role could be remote or hybrid, but it would be beneficial if the Fundraising Lead is based within travelling distance of Lancaster. If based nearby, the Fundraising Lead will have the option to work from our co-working space in Lancaster.
Who we are
Founded in 2015, Mainspring Arts is a neurodivergent and artist-led organisation that co-creates supportive neurodivergent spaces and communities that empower, uplift and nurture through creativity.
We work closely with neurodivergent (ND) creatives, supporting them to develop their practice. We provide platforms for ND creatives to make and share work, and opportunities for ND people to meet, collaborate and find community.
We are committed to ensuring ND people are represented at all levels within our organisation. All our programmes are designed and led by ND practitioners, and co-created with ND participants. We ensure that at least 50% of our trustees are ND (currently 75%).
In 2022 we moved our base to Lancaster, and are currently growing our programme of local activity alongside our national work. We have a small freelance core team and a growing pool of freelance practitioners who lead and deliver our programmes.
Terms & Conditions
Contract type: Freelance, 7 months (December 2025 - July 2026). We have funding in place for this period - however, our aim is that the role will continue beyond this (subject to securing additional funding).
Hours: 16 days worked flexibly over 7 months.
Place of work: Remote/hybrid, or at our shared office in Lancaster.
Fee: £200 per day (£3,200 in total)
Access support and an access budget will be available.
How to apply
To apply, please email hello@mainspringarts.org.uk with:
your CV
a cover letter explaining your interest in the role, and how you think you meet the criteria
You are welcome to submit your CV and cover letter in other ways (e.g. video or audio) or request this information in different formats.
Application deadline: 10am on Wednesday 19th November 2025
Please email hello@mainspringarts.org.uk if you would like to discuss how we can make this process more accessible, or if you would like support with the application.
Interviews will be held online on Zoom. If selected for an interview we will ask you about your access needs, and aim to make the interview process as accessible as possible.
Timeline
Wed 19th November, 10am: Application deadline
Fri 21st November: Shortlisted applicants invited to interview; other applicants notified of outcome
Fri 28th November: Interviews (on Zoom)
Wed 3rd December: All interview candidates notified of outcome
Early December: Role begins (date agreed with selected candidate)
We want to bring more of the support we offer in person and via online mentoring here. Here’s our pick of the best opportunities geared toward propelling your creativity and creating more access for ND / disabled / marginalised creatives and their work. From competitions, features and internships to full-time jobs and funding schemes - we hope to promote as much as possible to help you access more chances to create!
This edition is quite writing focused but we will be promoting any and all creative opportunities we find! If you are offering something new, inclusive and soon - please don't hesitate to contact us for a feature!
