I am very excited to announce that I am one of the new artistic associates with New Perspectives theatre company in the East Midlands.
13 artists have been selected for its 2025/26 New Associates programme, a year-long professional development initiative designed to support early and mid-career creatives.
Now in its sixth year, the New Associates programme has grown in popularity since its launch in 2019. This year, the company has reduced the cohort size from 18 to 13 to place greater emphasis on pastoral care and individualised support.
Originally aimed at early-career artists, the programme now includes mid-career creatives to address the lack of support for freelancers at this stage of their careers.
The full list of 2025/26 New Associates includes: Stevie Cairns, Leah Chillery, Tom Heath, Daljinder Johal, Annis McGee, Amelia Michaels, Sneya Rajani, Anna Sharpe Jones, Ioney Smallhorne, Noor Sobka, Ione Vaughan, Ben Weatherill, and Conor Wilkinson.
The cohort represents a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences:
54% Global Majority artists
77% identify as having a disability or long-term health condition
46% working class artists
Led by Participation Director Jayne Williams, the programme offers tailored support including mentoring, rehearsal space, dramaturgical guidance, and access to New Perspectives’ networks and expertise.
Angharad Jones, Artistic Director/CEO, said:
“Five years post pandemic, we are mindful of how non-linear creative careers can be and the support artists need, including those with strong back catalogues of work. It’s daunting for any artist to have the belief, self-confidence and resources to establish and sustain a career in this industry and even more difficult when contending with geographic, economic, disability or health barriers. We have such pride in our New Associates programme which has gone from strength to strength. After considering each application in depth, this year we have invited 13 artists to join the programme and have uniquely offered feedback to all applicants. As well as opening up conversations this helps us to widen our understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by artists from across the East Midlands’ region.
“Now with an alumni of over 70 East Midlands artists, our New Associates programme is proving to be an essential part of helping to sustain careers, proving support at a crucial time in an artist’s journey”.