Springboard Programme – Open School East

Our alumni-focused Springboard Programme continues the work we do to support the award winning artists and cultural practitioners that graduate from our Associates Programme. This includes development opportunities such as ongoing mentoring support from OSE’s programming team, external partnerships, commissions and targeted funded opportunities.

Lizzy Deacon and Ika Schwander, *Prosecco Wisdom*, 2024. Installation View at 243 Luz

The programme is an integral way to ensure Open School East continues to support early to mid-career artists to develop and sustain their practices, develop strong support networks of their own, and provide them with a platform to connect to new audiences and peers.

Part of the Springboard Programme sees OSE Alumni return to Margate to work with our local communities to co-develop projects as part of the Civic Programme. These projects link to the themes of each two-year programming cycle and are centred around the knowledge, expertise and experiences held by our local communities. This continues a dialogue between new and former Associates and a longer-term involvement for OSE alumni in our local communities.

Hicham Gardaf, *The Storyteller*, 2024. Video Still

Springboard Programme partners include; 243 Luz, Margate; Acme Artist Studios, London; AiR, Ramsgate; Arts Education Exchange, Margate; British Council, Turner Contemporary, Margate and Venice Biennale 2022; Cement Fields, North Kent; Gathering, London; Mosaic Rooms, London; Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool and Rooftop Institute, Hong Kong.

We’re always looking for new and accessible opportunities for our Associate alumni. If you would like to discuss potential collaborations or opportunities, please contact: info@openschooleast.org

Springboard Opportunities

OSE Mentoring

One-to-one mentoring sessions with Open School East’s programming team. Mentoring sessions provide long-term, practice-based guidance and technical support, and hold discussions around sustainable artistic practice and professional development.

An open call for the next round of 1:1 Mentoring will launch in July 2025.

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Peer Groups

A programme of informal, critically-focused meetings between Associate alumni, organised and supported by Open School East.

In Peer Groups, alumni are paired together and meet on a monthly basis to discuss projects and work they are currently undertaking. The programme aims to promote critical connections between all cohorts of the Associates Programme, and offer lasting peer support and collaborative opportunities.

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Springboard Sessions

Professional development sessions centred around building and sustaining artistic and curatorial practice with members of Open School East’s wider creative network including past programme guest artists, mentors & practitioners and OSE board members.

Springboard sessions are shared through regular mail-outs. To request an update regarding upcoming events please email: george@openschooleast.org

Current Springboard Partner Opportunities

Wednesday, 11 December 2024 by OSE

Gathering x OSE: Alumni Exhibition

Find out more about this opportunity for an OSE Associate alumni to develop an exhibition at GLASSHOUSE.

Springboard

Wednesday, 31 July 2024 by OSE

Cement Fields x OSE: Foundations

Find out more about our partnership with Cement Fields and the ‘Foundations’ mentorship programme

Opportunities

Wed 23 Apr 2025, 6–7:30pm

Springboard Sessions #3 — Jon Davis

Join us for an online talk with Jon Davis (Director, Cement Fields) where he will share his curatorial approach and explore ways in which artists can work with commissioners.

Online Talk
Springboard Programme

Wed 12 Mar 2025, 6–7:30pm

Springboard Sessions #2 — Maggie Matić

Join us for an online Curators Talk with Maggie Matić, in which they will share insights from their curatorial career, exploring the diverse contexts, programmes, and institutions they have worked across.

Online Talk
Springboard Programme

Mon 20 Jan 2025, 5–8pm

Springboard Sessions #1 — Arts Council England: Project Grants & Developing your Creative Practice

Join us to learn all about Arts Council’s funding programmes, gain understanding on which fund may be right for your ideas and hear about how to apply.