Sage Gateshead

What is an Artist in Residence?

Since we launched the programme in 2019, we have worked with Ruth Lyon, Me Lost Me, Joe Snape and more who have been previous Artists in Residence. Artists in Residence make Sage Gateshead their home away from home – using our spaces, support and the  budget we provide to work on a creative project. You can hear some of the 2021-22 Artists in Residence talking about their experiences here.

What will I be doing as Artist in Residence?

The residency is artist-led so you are in control of how you use the time and what you get out of it. You will have the support of the Sage Gateshead team to turn your project idea into reality over the course of the 10 months. The type of support will depend on what you need but initially might include ideas and advice on other artists to collaborate with, equipment to buy, specialists to consult, wellbeing advice, and useful music industry contacts. We will help organise the performance, can offer help with technical questions, and will also provide video footage of the final event.

We will provide that support through regular emails, phone calls and meetings, as well as access to our rehearsal rooms to help you write and rehearse the music. You have the option to take a residential retreat to focus fully on creating the project, and you might also want to use the money available to give you some time off from other work throughout the year so that you can devote time to planning and writing the project on a regular basis. The money available will be able to support you for around 3-5 days of time off from other work.

You will have a main point of contact for anything relating to the residency (Rianne Thompson, Producer). Other members of the team may occasionally be called on for specific advice.

How often will I need to be at Sage Gateshead?

You are in control of how you use the time so that is up to you. The residency is not intended to be your sole employment or source of income during the period, so this is reflected in the funds available and time commitment required.

The only requirement is that we will check in with you at least once a month to discuss the project and offer advice or support that may be needed, but that can be done by phone or email if needed. However, we would encourage you to make use of the facilities available and to have face-to-face meetings if possible.

Unfortunately, we are not able to cover travel costs for meetings or rehearsals at Sage Gateshead unless the costs are due to specific access needs. Travel expenses are available for the residential retreat and the performance.

How does the selection process work?

Applications will be assessed by a group of experts including staff from Sage Gateshead, a music industry person from the North East, and one of our previous Artists in Residence. From the applications we will invite 6 to 8 artists for an informal interview by video/phone call on 21 or 22 June. Four artists will be selected for the 2022/23 residency programme. All applicants will be contacted by mid-July.

This is a competitive process and that can’t be avoided. We will be selecting based on the information you have sent us and will be looking for artists who show promise, have a clear idea of what they want to achieve with their project, and who will benefit from this opportunity.

How does the money work?

If you are successful, we will pay the £3000 creative support grant in one or two instalments on a date agreed with you.  Equipment paid for with the £750 and advice paid for with the £500 must be agreed with our team first and should be invoiced to Sage Gateshead. For the residential retreat, Sage Gateshead will cover travel costs and accommodation, which can be booked by us or you.

In addition, we will provide a performance fee for the event in June. This will be a total fee for all performers and will be negotiated with the artist nearer the time, depending on the scale of the proposed performance and potential ticket income. If you choose to make any additional funding applications for the project, we will support you with this.

I’ve never been to Sage Gateshead, what is it like?

You’ll receive a warm welcome from all of the team, and we’ll look after you during your visits to make sure you have all the support you need with creative and practical things.

You can have a look inside the building’s main concourse using Google Maps.

The Concourse has a great view across Newcastle and the River Tyne. There is a co-working area and café (open Thursday-Sunday) and you’re welcome to bring your own food to eat in your rehearsal room. Plenty of parking is available, there are bus and metro routes nearby. Please note that the metro is wheelchair accessible but unfortunately mobility scooters are not permitted.