Jobs & Opportunities

There are always ways of becoming involved with us, whether this is as a participant or a volunteer, a job or an artist call-out!

Current Opportunities

An open call for artists exploring DISSENT. 

Selected artists will exhibit alongside works from the Lancaster University Art Collection. 

DISSENT WORKS is an open call inviting artists from across north Lancashire to respond to Lancaster Arts' 2026 annual theme of DISSENT. 

This year's programme explores the many ways dissent can be expressed through artistic practice. It might be loud or quiet, public or personal, but at its heart is a willingness to ask whether things could be different. 

We're looking for work that surprises us with the strength of its ideas, the quality of its making, and its response to the theme. Whether your work is political, playful, personal or quietly provocative, we'd love to hear from you. 

The Lancaster University Art Collection is one of Lancaster University's most significant cultural resources. Home to works by artists including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Barbara Hepworth and David Hockney, it is an evolving collection and a living resource that inspires new conversations between artists, audiences and ideas. Through DISSENT WORKS, contemporary artists have the opportunity to become part of that story. 

Applications are open to artists aged 18 and over who are based in north and west Lancashire. 

Applications close: Monday 24 August 2026 

Find out more 

Before applying, please download the Open Call, which includes eligibility, artwork guidance and the selection process. 

You can also explore the Lancaster University Art Collection to discover more about the artists and artworks it includes. 

Download the Open Call 

Apply online 

If you would prefer to submit using a word document please download it here.

Explore the Lancaster University Art Collection 

Join the Lancaster Arts Ideas & Connectors Group  

What is Lancaster Arts? 

Lancaster Arts is a professional arts organisation based at Lancaster University, encompassing the Nuffield Theatre, the Great Hall and the Peter Scott Gallery as well as locations in the region, natural settings, community centres, carparks, and historic buildings. Our artistic programme includes commissions, Creative Gatherings and artist residencies alongside our presentational programme. We work across artforms and our work expresses a commitment to social and environmental justice. Our website https://www.lancasterarts.org/ can tell you more about the work that we do. 

What is the Ideas&Connectors Group? 

The Ideas&Connectors Group (ICG) is a diverse sounding board that helps shape the work that Lancaster Arts delivers for Arts Council England and Lancaster University. We have a brilliant group in place already but are looking to expand this by 5 people. The ICG groups meet 3 times a year. We intend that this group offers a way of joining the Lancaster Arts community to exchange ideas and explore the things that matter to you and us as an organisation.  

We offer: 

  • Invitations to special one-off events 

  • 2 free tickets in each of our two seasons for any show or concert  

  • Free training opportunities (e.g. access, carbon literacy) 

  • Invitations to shape meetings by contributing agenda points 

  • Support for any access needs identified 

  • Expenses and transport will be provided 

  • Opportunity to participate online 

 

We ask for: 

  • Commitment to fully participate in 3 meetings in a year   

  • Dedicated ambassadorship for the wide range of work we do 

  • Engagement and critical friendship with our programme. Take up opportunities within a specific subgroup (outlined below) 

  • Commitment to at least one of the Ideas and Connectors Group Subgroups identified below. 

 Subgroups in the Ideas&Connectors Group 

Community Researchers 

  • This is an opportunity to get directly involved in our artist commissions. We define ‘research’ as everything from informal conversations with artists and audiences, to probing local archives and making quiet observations. We are eager to draw on this group’s understanding of the places we work in and the communities in them. 

 Collections 

  • Contribute your ideas and collaborate with our gallery team to bring Lancaster University’s Art Collection to new audiences, helping shape what we display through discussion and content-creation, relating to future acquisitions, displays, digital engagement, workshops and volunteering opportunities. 

 Communications and Engagement 

  • Work with us to develop a more creative and inclusive approach to engaging with our audiences, addressing barriers that prevent audiences from engaging and helping us target specific groups identified in our Audience Development Strategy. 

Application form is here.

To find out more, please email: ICG@lancasterarts.org 

Participate!

Lancaster Arts hosts commissions all year-round that invite participants to have a direct role in the creation of the work. If this is of interest, please get in touch with us at producers@lancasterarts.org.

Student Opportunities

Lancaster Arts has frequent opportunities for short term placements and internships. One of our marketing placements has written a blog about her experiences here.

Keep and eye on this page for the latest opportunities and how you can get involved.

Volunteering

Lancaster Arts has fantastic opportunities for volunteering. Please visit our Volunteering page. If you can spare a few hours we are always seeking volunteers of all ages to support our arts activity. Get in touch with us at volunteer@lancasterarts.org