Cultural Threads artist Mentee

Gem Arts is committed to supporting and creating opportunities for emerging artists working in participatory arts. Cultural Threads is an Arts, Health and Wellbeing programme produced and delivered by Gem Arts.

The project will see three established artists with a range of practices work with community groups based in Gateshead to co-create work which celebrates culture and identity and explore themes and issues relevant to the groups. This opportunity will be to work as a mentee on the project and support those artists.

These mentees will support 6, weekly in person workshops in community spaces.

• Provide support for artist to produce artwork with community members
• Install artwork exhibition for end of project celebration
• Support evaluation of the project with evaluation activities with participants and complete weekly artist diary entries
• Work with mentor artist to identify personal CPD goals and address them throughout the project

• As an emerging artist you will have experience working creatively in any art form (dance, music, literature, visual art, performance) as a professional or otherwise
• An interest in delivering participatory art projects with community members
• A committed anti-racist working attitude
• An understanding of culturally relevant art and culture from the global majority
• Gain a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check
• We particularly welcome applications from candidates from the Global Majority who are underrepresented in the arts sector. This is a positive action measure permitted under Section 159 of the Equality Act 2010, to help us achieve a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

The artist assistants rate of pay will be £25 per hour and they will provide support for weekly 2 hour workshops for a minimum of 6 weeks. This rate covers any additional administrative tasks required for the project.

• Expression of interest deadline 27 August, 5pm
• Informal interviews 7 and 8 September 2026
• Round one of workshops week beginning 14 September- 17 November
• Round two of workshops week beginning 11 January- 15 March

Gem Arts is an award-winning arts organisation based in Gateshead. A recognised leader in the South Asian and diversity arts sector, Gem Arts creates and programmes high quality concerts, events, festivals, workshops and commissions with regional, national and international artists across all art forms.