AFTER its big success last year, Northern Pride is calling out for local artists to get involved as part of its annual creative commission for the newly announced Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2025.
Working in partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts, Northern Pride is challenging artists to express themselves through their chosen art form and respond to the theme, Unapologetically Visible, including what this means to them and how they would interpret this through their creative talents. All art forms will be encouraged and welcomed, ensuring Newcastle Pride 2025 is promoting inclusivity for all and celebrating everything the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community has to offer.
Northern Pride is inviting artists and creatives to apply for a total of five opportunities to create and showcase their work during Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2025. This includes two creative commissions which will see the successful applicants secure £2,500 worth of funding to develop and elevate their artistry, plus three Research and Development Get Ready grants of £750 to help artists create new work or enhance existing ideas. Those interested can visit the Northern Pride website here to learn more about the criteria and apply before the 12 noon deadline on Friday 11 April 2025.
For the first year ever, Northern Pride is proudly launching Pride Fringe Festival which will take place from June 2025. Pride Fringe will bring live entertainment, comedy, theatre and networking events and new experiences, which will include opportunities for the commissioned artists to showcase and celebrate their talents at famous venues across the city centre.
Following a packed schedule of Fringe events, the festivities will culminate in the Newcastle Pride weekend of 19th and 20th July, with a line up of live entertainment, family activities and access to health and wellbeing support, as well as the annual Pride march.
Vix Leaney, Project Manager at Creative Central NCL said: “The creative commissions are becoming a highlight in the annual Pride Festival calendar after the success of 2024. It’s great to be working in partnership with Northern Pride again to support more creative commissions from talented local artists.
“We’re hoping to see applications from creators, performers, activists, producers and artists from across the North East. With the exciting addition of Pride Fringe for 2025, there are even more opportunities for the creative community to express themselves and share their art in Newcastle city centre.”
Multi-talented dancer and DJ, Azula Bandit, who was commissioned for Pride in the City last year said: “I applied in 2024 to create a show that fused live DJing, dance, and hosting – a concept I hadn’t seen done in this way before. For me, the true aim of applying was to encourage and inspire through cultural representation and self-expression.
“The commission gave me the space to push my vision, and it exceeded my expectations by showing me just how much I could bring to life with the right support. Through the commission, I learned that my adaptability is expansive – I can shift, evolve, and execute at a high level. Most importantly, I realised I have a strong, clear vision, and when I trust that, the work can speak for itself. I’d highly recommend every artist to apply for the creative commission for Newcastle Pride 2025.”
Stencil artist Chris Fleming, whose artist name is IDa4, also spoke about last year’s commission, saying: “As a proud member of the local LGBTQIA+ community, I knew I wanted to take part in Pride in the City 2024 and represent my city and community. The whole creative commission's experience was brilliant. It was really smooth and easy to apply and to work with the Northern Pride team with regular communication.
“My art for Pride was a big piece that took a lot of planning, with a mix of stencil sizes. I’m constantly pushing myself and learning when making my art, so I was really happy with the overall look I achieved for the festival. I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of applying for the creative commission to absolutely do it – you won’t regret it!”
Full details of the creative commission for Newcastle Pride 2025 can be found at https://creativecentralncl.co.uk/opportunities/ or follow Northern Pride on socials to stay up to date with all the latest news.
Comments