Young Schemers: Assistant Producers at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
Application deadline: 31 August 2026, 5:00 pm
Location: Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH
Number of positions: 2
Eligibility: Applicants aged 21–30
Contract: Fixed-term freelance contract
Contract period: September 2026–June 2027
Commitment: Two half-day sessions per month; 18 sessions in total
Schedule: Primarily Wednesday evenings, 6:30–8:30 pm, with some Saturday sessions
Fee: £119.15 per half-day session; £2,144 in total
Reporting to: ICA staff and RESOLVE Collective
The Role
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is seeking two Young Schemers to work as Assistant Producers on ICA Creatives × RESOLVE: No Zines, No Archives.
Young Schemers are emerging producers, artists or cultural organisers who will work alongside ICA staff and RESOLVE Collective to help deliver an inclusive, welcoming and well-organised artist development programme.
The position is designed as a developmental opportunity for people interested in cultural production, facilitation and artist development. Professional producing experience is not required.
As consistent members of the programme team, the Young Schemers will support participants throughout the year while gaining experience in producing artist-led public programmes within a major contemporary arts institution.
About the Programme
ICA Creatives × RESOLVE: No Zines, No Archives is a year-long artist development programme for people aged 18–21, co-developed by the ICA and RESOLVE Collective.
Working across publishing, collective organising, architecture, design and socially engaged practice, participants will explore alternative approaches to producing, documenting and sharing knowledge.
Through artist-led workshops, site visits and collaborative projects, the programme will support young Londoners in developing collective and place-based creative practices. Participants will explore local histories through the marks, materials and cultural forms emerging from their areas.
The programme will culminate in an exhibition at the ICA developed collaboratively with its participants.
Programme Aims
The programme aims to:
- Support young people in developing sustainable creative practices
- Explore publishing, making and collective organising as creative tools
- Build confidence through collaboration, experimentation and peer learning
- Create meaningful pathways into the cultural sector
- Enable participants to contribute to the ICA’s programme and future cultural conversations
- Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment centred on collective learning and care
Responsibilities
The Young Schemers will:
- Support the preparation and clearing of workshop spaces
- Welcome participants and help create an inclusive and friendly environment
- Act as consistent points of contact for participants throughout the programme
- Assist artists with workshop delivery and practical activities
- Organise materials, resources and workshop logistics
- Liaise with ICA staff to ensure sessions run smoothly
- Support participant registration and attendance monitoring
- Assist with basic programme evaluation
- Document workshops through photography, note-taking or other agreed methods
- Help facilitate group discussions, check-ins and collaborative activities
- Report any participant welfare or safeguarding concerns to ICA staff
- Lead occasional peer-to-peer learning sessions with support from the ICA and RESOLVE
- Contribute ideas to the development of the programme and its final public presentation
Schedule
The programme will run from September 2026 until June 2027 and involve 18 half-day sessions.
The confirmed dates for the first season are:
- Wednesday, 7 October 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Wednesday, 18 November 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Wednesday, 2 December 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Wednesday, 16 December 2026, 6:30–8:30 pm
Dates for the second and third seasons will be confirmed later. Most sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings, with some additional Saturday sessions.
Eligibility and Experience
Applicants must:
- Be between 21 and 30 years old
- Have an interest in contemporary art, design, publishing, architecture or socially engaged practice
- Have experience collaborating with groups of young people or working in community settings
- Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Be welcoming, organised and proactive
- Feel confident supporting creative workshops
- Have good organisational and time-management skills
- Be willing to learn and work as part of a collaborative team
Professional experience as a producer is not required.
Candidate Profile
The ICA is looking for applicants who are:
- Friendly, approachable and supportive
- Curious and enthusiastic about collaborative practice
- Reliable and well-organised
- Adaptable and confident in changing environments
- Comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and experiences
- Interested in developing a career in arts, culture or creative production
Professional Development
Young Schemers will gain experience in:
- Producing artist-led public programmes
- Working alongside RESOLVE Collective and ICA staff
- Supporting participant engagement
- Facilitating creative workshops
- Arts administration and programme delivery
- Collaborative working within a leading contemporary arts organisation
- Developing professional relationships across the creative industries
How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
- A CV
- A cover letter
- Responses to the following questions:
- What draws you to the role of Young Schemer?
- Please describe your experience supporting programmes in cultural spaces.
- Do you have experience working collaboratively with groups of young people or within community settings?
Applications should be emailed by 5:00 pm on 31 August 2026.
Note: This listing has been edited for formatting purposes. To read the complete opportunity and apply, please visit the link below.
