Young Schemers (Assistant Producers)
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
ICA CREATIVES 2026–2027
Job Description
Job title: Young Schemers (Assistant Producers)
Fee: £119.15 per half day (£2,144 across 18 sessions)
Reporting to: ICA Staff and RESOLVE Collective
Contract: Fixed term, September 2026 – June 2027
Location: London
Commitment: Two half-day sessions per month (18 sessions across the programme). Sessions will mostly run on Wednesday evenings from 6:30–8:30pm with some Saturday sessions.
Deadline for application: 31st August 2026, 5pm
About the programme
ICA CREATIVES × RESOLVE: NO ZINES, NO ARCHIVES is a year-long artist development programme for people aged 18-21 co-developed with RESOLVE Collective. The programme is run by RESOLVE Collective, ICA and the Young Schemers (age 21-30).
Working across publishing, collective organising, architecture, design and social practice, participants will explore alternative ways of making, documenting and sharing knowledge. Through artist-led workshops, site visits and collaborative projects, the programme aims to nurture the collective, place-based creative practices of young Londoners to think with the histories of the city that emerge from the marks they make on their areas. The programme culminates in an exhibition at the ICA, developed collaboratively with participants.
Programme aims:
• Support young people to develop 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.
Empower participants to shape the ICA’s programme and future cultural conversations.
Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment centred on collective learning and care.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
About the role
We are looking for two Young Schemers (Assistant Producers) age 21-30 to support delivery of the ICA Creatives × RESOLVE programme.
Young Schemers are emerging producers, artists or cultural organisers who will work alongside ICA staff and RESOLVE Collective to help create an inclusive, welcoming and well-organised programme.
This is a developmental opportunity for people interested in producing, facilitation and artist development. As consistent members of the programme team, Young Schemers will support participants throughout the year while gaining experience of producing artist-led public programmes within a major arts institution.
Timeline and Commitment
• September 2026 – June 2027
• Two half-day sessions per month (18 sessions in total)
• Freelance contract
Season 1 dates (Season 2 and 3 TBC):
Wednesday 7 October, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 21 October, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 4 November, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 18 November, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 2 December, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 16 December, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Responsibilities
Young Schemers will:
• Support the set-up and pack-down of workshop spaces.
• Welcome participants and help create an inclusive, friendly atmosphere.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
• Act as a consistent point of contact for participants throughout the programme.
• Support artists with workshop delivery and practical activities where appropriate.
• Assist with materials, resources and workshop logistics.
• Liaise with ICA staff to ensure sessions run smoothly.
• Support participant sign-in, attendance monitoring and basic evaluation activities.
• Assist with documenting workshops through photography, note-taking or other agreed methods.
• Help facilitate group discussions, check-ins and collaborative activities.
• Raise any participant wellbeing or safeguarding concerns with ICA staff.
• Lead occasional peer-to-peer learning sessions with support from ICA and RESOLVE.
• Contribute ideas towards the development of the programme and final public outcome.
About You
Essential Skills and Experience:
• An interest in contemporary art, design, publishing, architecture or socially engaged practice.
Experience working collaboratively with groups of young people or within community settings.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A welcoming, organised and proactive approach.
• Confidence supporting creative workshops.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• A willingness to learn and work as part of a collaborative team.
Professional producing experience is not required.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Personal Qualities:
• Friendly, approachable and supportive.
Curious and enthusiastic about collaborative practice.
Reliable and well organised.
• Adaptable and confident working in changing environments.
Comfortable working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Interested in building a career in arts, culture or creative production.
What You’ll Gain:
• Supporting with the production of artist-led public programmes.
• Working alongside RESOLVE Collective and ICA staff.
• Supporting participant engagement and workshop facilitation.
• Arts administration and programme delivery.
• Collaborative working within a leading contemporary arts organisation.
• Developing professional networks within the creative industries.
Application questions:
-
What draws you to the role of Young Schemers?
-
Please tell us about your experience in supporting programmes in cultural spaces.
-
Do you have experience working collaboratively with groups of young people or within community settings?
To apply, please share details of your CV, cover letter and responses to application questions to jobs@ica.art