The Associates Programme is a 10 month artist develop programme and is part of our two year model, Building an Art School for the Future.

The Associates Programme offers an informal, critical and non-competitive environment in which artists can develop their practice and expand their creative networks. The programme is run according to principles of collaboration, experimentation and openness, and welcomes those who engage with these notions in different ways.

The Associates Programme is for artists who face challenges accessing arts education and practise-based development opportunities.

The next Open Call for the Associates Programme 2025-26 is now LIVE – please find details here.

Programme Overview

The Associates Programme runs from September – June in alternating years (year 2 of our programming cycle) and is split between a curated programme curriculum and self-directed opportunities, both of which create spaces for experimentation and develop peer networks and future collaborators.

OSE’s Artistic Director, Polly Brannan, invites a lead artist to develop a collaborative project as part of the programme curriculum. The project responds to ideas and themes set out in OSE’s two year programming cycle, and builds upon the foundations set out in the Civic Programme with opportunities for Associates to develop work directly with community partners.  This is an opportunity for the current cohort of Associates to work with an established artist, gaining insights into their approach and exposure to the practices of the guest artists they in turn invite to lead sessions.

Throughout the year Associates meet with OSE Mentors for one-to-one tutorials to discuss their work, research and ideas and in preparation for public events and the Associate Exhibition.

Past mentors include: Simeon Barclay, åbäke, Matthew Darbyshire,Benedict Drew, Kodwo Eshun and Anjalika Sagar (The Otolith Group), Anthea Hamilton, Marguerite Humeau, Sally O’Reilly and Melika Ngombe Kolongo, Paul Maheke, Shenece Oretha.

The Associates self-direct peer to peer activities, in which they devise and deliver skill sharing workshops and crit sessions, and participate in one-off guest projects developed through partnerships with other arts organisations and/or arts professionals.

The programme is coordinated by our Programme Producer George Harding, who was an Associate in 2017.

The Associates Programme culminates in an end of year exhibition which is an opportunity for the Associate artists to share their work with arts professionals (locally and nationally), prospective collaborators, funders, peers and the wider public. The exhibition is curated by a guest curator with expertise in exhibition making, and supports the Associates to share and present their work as part of a group exhibition.

Past curators include; Sepake Angiama (iniva), Beatriz Lobo Britto (iniva), Cedric Fauq (Musée d’Art Contemporain de Bordeaux), Maggie Matić (Auto Italia) and Angelica Sule (Site Gallery).

During the programme OSE provides the Associates with:

• A shared workspace with 24/7 access
• Critical and practical practice support 
• Weekly tuition & mentorship from internationally renowned practitioners, theorists and curators
• Opportunities to develop educational workshops, projects and events with and for the wider school and OSEs wider community partners
• The tools and means to conceive and deliver a public programme of workshops and events around your practice and shared interests
• Developmental opportunities to meet and work with invited guest artists, curators and other creative professionals through the Visiting Artist Module 
• Opportunities to showcase work through an end of year exhibition, ensuring visibility of Associate projects, research and work to local and national audiences, OSE stakeholders and wider visual arts sector (curators, commissioners, funders, gallerists, producers etc.)

The Associates are expected to move to the local area* and commit to two days of scheduled activity per week (typically Mondays & Tuesdays) at Open School East to receive tuition, meet their mentors, plan public activities and collaborate on projects.

Tuition is delivered through a combination of workshops, seminars, group crits, excursions and reading groups, many of which are open to the public. We expect Associates to make use of their studios during the rest of the week, working around their own work schedules & commitments.

*particular needs in this respect are reviewed on a case by case basis

The Associates

Associates at Open School East are emerging practitioners with or without a BA, MA or formal arts qualification, who are seeking a critical, informal and non-competitive environment in which to develop their practice. We are particularly committed to supporting applicants from under-represented backgrounds and without formal training.

Space and facilities

Open School East operates from a building at 39 Hawley Square in Margate. The building is currently only accessible by stairs and we are working towards making the space fully accessible. In the meantime, we are committed to providing alternative solutions to enable full participation.

The building includes dedicated spaces for each of OSE’s programmes as well as shared studio spaces for the sole use of Associates, which are accessible 24/7.

OSE has further studios rented out to OSE Alumni, local visual artists and practitioners. Basic tools and AV equipment are available for Associates to use and kitchen and toilet access is shared with other learners and studio holders. 

Selection, application and requirements

The course is free to enable access to arts education that may not have been previously possible due to cultural barriers and/or socioeconomic factors. 

Each year we form a group of 15 Associates from a diverse range of practices and backgrounds. We are interested in creating a multidisciplinary environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. As such welcome artists, makers, producers, researchers and writers who seek to interact with people from other disciplines. 

At Open School East, we are committed to improving the diversity of our organisation as a whole and building inclusive cultures every day. Therefore we encourage and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and sections of the community, both with and without formal training. 

Prospective Associates are selected on the following criteria:

• quality of ideas and portfolio;
• a recognised need to access free and informal education;
• a genuine interest in being part of a group of people with different practices and experiences;
• a curiosity to expand one’s knowledge base and engage with a range of topics and ideas;
• a willingness to work collaboratively as well as individually, be self-directed and interact with members of the public at different moments. 

Please note we take applications from individuals only.