We’re excited to partner with Newcastle Pride and Curious Arts to support four new opportunities for artists and creatives as part of Newcastle Pride 2026.
Part of what Creative Central NCL exists to do is create more opportunities for artists and creatives, and work with partners to make space for creative practice within the life of the city. These new opportunities are a chance to support artists and creatives to make, develop and share work as part of Pride Fringe and Newcastle Pride 2026.
The opportunities
Both the commissions and the Get Ready grants are open to artists and creatives working in any art form.
That could include visual art, performance, theatre, music, spoken word, installations, exhibitions, comedy, podcasts or digital work.
For both opportunities, ideas need to lead to a public-facing outcome. That might be a performance, event or showcase during Newcastle Pride Fringe in a venue within the Creative Central NCL footprint, or a legacy artwork such as a banner or puppet that can be used as part of the Pride March now and in future years.
The four opportunities are:
- two creative commissions, each with £2,500 of funding for artists to develop new work – click here to read more about this opportunity
- two R&D Get Ready grants of £750 each to help spark new ideas or enhance existing projects – click here to read more about this opportunity
All proposals must respond to the theme City of Hope, Streets of Joy. This theme reflects both the resilience of Newcastle’s LGBTQIA+ communities and a commitment to collective joy. We’re looking for ideas that connect with that and can be shared publicly during Pride Fringe, or contribute to the wider Pride weekend and its future legacy.
In addition, all proposals should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- explore LGBTQIA+ and/or gender themes
- be of interest to LGBTQIA+ communities
- be created or presented by LGBTQIA+ artists
- offer a clear development opportunity for the artist
If you apply, you also need to be available to share or showcase your work between 1 July and 22 July 2026.
How to apply
- Visit our opportunities page
- Select the opportunity that suits you best
- Always read the guidelines in full
- Apply by noon on 11 May 2026
Newcastle Pride 2026
Newcastle Pride is returning in 2026 on 25 and 26 of July. After 17 incredible years shaped by registered charity Northern Pride, the festival steps into an exciting new chapter led by Curious Futures, a not for profit company part of Curious Arts.
This year Newcastle Pride returns to the city centre, with city-wide celebrations and a Pride weekend designed with the community at its heart. Leading the charge for 2026 are pop icon Nadine Coyle, dance floor queen Katy B, drag superstar & HeSheThey resident DJ Bimini, plus RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Danny Beard.
Further details about the Festival weekend, including the free programme, dedicated zones (Market Village, Trans+ Zone, Family and Youth) and a range of activities, will be released very soon. Tickets for the Pride Arena at Times Square are now on sale. Stay up to date with news from Newcastle Pride 2026 by visiting their website.
