Do It Together 2026 – Call for Proposals
What can we do together?
Live Art Development Agency (LADA) and 19 national partners are inviting proposals for 10 peer-to-peer professional development projects designed by artists for artists to take place across the UK between March and September 2026. Metal are pleased to be one of the national partners on this project.
What is Do It Together (DIT?)
Do It Together (DIT) is a peer-to-peer professional development programme that enables artists to explore ideas, aesthetics and sociopolitical realities together.
Knowing that the development of Live Art practice is as much about methodologies and experiences as training in skills and techniques, DIT invites artists to delve into collective enquiries and share their process.
DIT reactivates LADA’s flagship programme, DIY, which ran unique professional development projects by artists for artists from 2002 to 2020. Still DIY, but Together, the crucial shift for 2026 is that each project will be supported by two national partners instead of one. By increasing the support at a time when both independents and organisations are struggling to resource artist development, DIT ignites a nation-wide support network for process-led experimental practice.
We know that DIY has always been about collective movements, but now, more than ever, we need to do it together.
For more information and application details visit LADA’s website. Apply by Wednesday 12 November 2025, 5pm.
Hot Desks available to book at Chalkwell Hall, Southend
Need a quiet space to write, develop ideas, or get some focused work done?
You can now book a desk in Metal Southend’s Attic Studio for £10. A peaceful writing spot tucked away above the Estuary.
Whether you’re writing a novel, plotting your next venture, or seeking a calm corner to concentrate, this is your invitation to pause, disconnect from the buzz, and sink into your work.
Available Tuesdays – Thursdays
Located at Metal Southend, Top Floor
£10 per day / 10am – 5pm
Three desks available
Join us and book your space HERE
Get Involved!
There are a range of opportunities for you at Metal.
We regularly hold bookable ‘Open Advice’ sessions at each of our sites. We advertise paid ‘Open Call’ residencies through call outs twice each year. Our unpaid ‘Time & Space’ residencies are always open, as is our ‘Metal New Artist Network’. To learn more about these opportunities, follow the links below.
- Open Advice Sessions
- Paid Open Call Residencies
- Unpaid Time & Space Residencies
- Metal New Artist Network
Large-Scale Event Network
Do you run a large event or festival? Maybe it’s a parade, a festival on a green, or a multi-site art exhibition? Do you want to connect with others who might run similar events? Or, do you have big dreams about making your festival a reality? Together with the Peterborough Cultural Alliance, Metal Peterborough is hosting a Large-Scale Event and Festivals Gathering, bringing together groups, individuals, organisations and the people who work hard behind the scenes, from in and around Peterborough. Learn more and join the network here.
Brentwood Creative Directory
Brentwood Creative Changemakers is a new initiative looking to support, nurture and empower Brentwood’s creative community through a dynamic programme. If you are an artist, creative, collective, creative business or venue in Brentwood and would like to register your interest in the programme, please complete the online form here.
Castle Point Artist & Creative Database
Artists and creatives of Castle Point! Together with Estuary Festival, we are keen to make contact with artists, creatives and makers living and/or working in the borough of Castle Point. To learn more and to join the database, click here.
