Organizer Information
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is one of the United Kingdom’s leading contemporary arts institutions, dedicated to supporting experimental artistic practices, emerging talent, and critical conversations across visual arts, performance, film, music, publishing, and cultural production. Located in central London, ICA has a long history of presenting innovative work by both established and emerging artists while creating platforms for new forms of cultural exchange and public engagement.
The ICA CREATIVES × RESOLVE: NO ZINES, NO ARCHIVES programme is developed collaboratively by ICA and RESOLVE Collective, with support from the Young Schemers team. RESOLVE Collective is an interdisciplinary design group working across architecture, art, engineering, and social practice. Their projects explore collective knowledge-making, community spaces, and alternative approaches to design and cultural production.
The programme is designed as an artist development initiative for young London-based creatives, focusing on collaborative making, publishing, collective organising, architecture, and socially engaged artistic practices. Through workshops, site visits, discussions, and collaborative projects, the initiative encourages participants to explore how creative practices can document histories, respond to local environments, and generate new forms of knowledge sharing.
The ICA CREATIVES programme also aims to strengthen pathways into the cultural sector by providing practical experience, mentorship, and opportunities for emerging cultural producers and organisers to contribute to the development of a major public arts programme.
Title & Description
ICA CREATIVES 2026–2027: Young Schemers (Assistant Producers)
ICA CREATIVES 2026–2027: Young Schemers (Assistant Producers) is a paid creative production opportunity for emerging artists, producers, and cultural organisers aged 21–30 who are interested in developing experience within contemporary arts programming.
The role supports the delivery of ICA CREATIVES × RESOLVE: NO ZINES, NO ARCHIVES, a year-long artist development programme for young people aged 18–21. Young Schemers will work alongside ICA staff and RESOLVE Collective to help organise workshops, support participants, contribute ideas, and assist with the production of the programme’s final exhibition at ICA.
The programme explores alternative methods of making, documenting, and sharing knowledge through publishing, design, architecture, social practice, and collective organising. Participants and Young Schemers will investigate how creative practices can connect with local histories, communities, and urban environments.
The opportunity is particularly suited to emerging creatives who want to gain experience in cultural production, artist development, facilitation, and public programme delivery within a leading contemporary arts institution.
The Role Overview
- Position Title: Young Schemers (Assistant Producers)
- Organisation: ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in collaboration with RESOLVE Collective
- Contract Type: Fixed-term freelance contract
- Contract Period: September 2026 – June 2027
- Commitment: Two half-day sessions per month (18 sessions total across the programme)
- Schedule: Sessions will mainly take place on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm–8:30 pm, with some Saturday sessions.
- Fee / Salary: £119.15 per half-day session
- Total Fee: £2,144 across 18 sessions
- Reporting To: ICA Staff and RESOLVE Collective
- Number of Positions: Two Young Schemers (Assistant Producers)
Position & Tasks
Young Schemers will support the organisation and delivery of ICA CREATIVES × RESOLVE: NO ZINES, NO ARCHIVES. Responsibilities include:
- Supporting the preparation, setup, and breakdown of workshop spaces.
- Welcoming participants and helping create an inclusive and supportive environment.
- Acting as a consistent contact person for programme participants throughout the year.
- Supporting artists during workshops and creative activities.
- Assisting with workshop materials, resources, and logistical arrangements.
- Coordinating with ICA staff to ensure sessions operate smoothly.
- Supporting participant registration, attendance tracking, and basic evaluation processes.
- Documenting workshops through photography, note-taking, or other agreed methods.
- Helping facilitate group conversations, check-ins, and collaborative activities.
- Reporting participant wellbeing or safeguarding concerns to ICA staff.
- Leading occasional peer-learning sessions with guidance from ICA and RESOLVE Collective.
- Contributing ideas toward the programme development and final public exhibition outcome.
The role is designed as a learning and development opportunity rather than a position requiring previous professional producing experience.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Art Production
- Cultural Programming
- Socially Engaged Practice
- Architecture
- Design
- Publishing
- Community Arts
- Creative Education
- Artist Development
- Cultural Organisation
- Performance & Workshop Facilitation
Eligibility
- Age between 21 and 30 years old.
- Interested in contemporary art, design, publishing, architecture, or socially engaged creative practice.
- Interested in developing a career in arts, culture, or creative production.
- Experience working collaboratively with young people or within community environments is desirable.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to support creative workshops and collaborative activities.
- Organised, proactive, and willing to work as part of a team.
Professional producing experience is not required. The opportunity is aimed at emerging artists, producers, and cultural organisers who want to gain practical experience within the arts sector.
Applicants should be comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds and committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Program Benefits
- A total fee of £2,144 across 18 programme sessions.
- Practical experience producing artist-led public programmes.
- Opportunity to work directly with ICA staff and RESOLVE Collective.
- Experience supporting participant engagement and workshop facilitation.
- Development of skills in arts administration and cultural programme delivery.
- Professional networking opportunities within the creative industries.
- Insight into the operation of a major contemporary arts institution.
- Experience contributing to the development of a public exhibition outcome.
- Opportunities to strengthen skills in collaboration, organisation, communication, and creative production.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Applications should be sent by email to:jobs@ica.art
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026, 5:00 pm
- Programme Period: September 2026 – June 2027
- Season 1 Sessions:
- Wednesday 7 October 2026, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
- Wednesday 21 October 2026, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
- Wednesday 4 November 2026, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
- Wednesday 18 November 2026, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
- Wednesday 2 December 2026, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
- Wednesday 16 December 2026, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
ICA CREATIVES × RESOLVE: NO ZINES, NO ARCHIVES is focused on collaborative learning, experimentation, and collective creativity. The Young Schemers role provides an opportunity for emerging cultural workers to gain experience from inside a major contemporary arts organisation while actively contributing to a programme designed for young creatives.
Successful applicants should demonstrate curiosity, enthusiasm for collaborative practices, and an interest in supporting others’ creative development. The role values interpersonal skills, reliability, openness, and willingness to learn over formal professional experience.
The programme seeks individuals who can help create a caring and inclusive environment where participants feel supported in exploring new artistic methods and ideas.