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Pollinate & Create - Artist Call Out, Suffolk Community Libraries

  •  East
  •  Â£25k-30k
  •  Part time
  •  Closes February 16, 2026
  •  Chrissie Meikle
  •  libraries.arts@suffolk.gov.uk
  • #Combined arts
New

Description

Job Summary

We’re looking for Creative Health artists with an interest in nature and community practice to take part in a residency intensive at Lowestoft Library.

Job Description

Suffolk Community Libraries, Suffolk Artlink, Culture Health & Wellbeing Alliance, Green Light Trust, Natural Habitat and Suffolk Wildlife Trust are looking for six artists to take part in a week-long intensive R&D to explore the potential of community health interventions that connect with and are inspired by environmental advocacy - exploring the role of libraries as places at the intersection between creativity, wellbeing and environmental responsibility.

During the week we will be inviting artists to grow their practice, hear from inspiring speakers and contribute to shaping future projects and ways of working. The week aims to embrace a wide range of perspectives and stimulate new ideas on creative health and community engagement, in green and blue spaces.

The will offer space to artists to explore new ideas and ways of working which, following the week, will form a tangible community programme to support healthy habit building for our library users. We hope that this work will draw on the known health benefits of creativity and connecting with nature.

Key Information

  • Location: Lowestoft Library, Clapham Road South, Lowestoft
  • Dates: Monday 23 March - Friday 27 March 2026 (09:00am - 5:00pm (with an hours lunch break))
  • Duration: 5 days R&D(9am - 5pm), plus additional activity days (TBC)
  • Fee: Suffolk Community Libraries will pay each artist a fee of £1,700 ex. VAT (£700, 5 days R&D @ £140 per day, plus £1,000 commissioning pot post-intensive).

We will also cover reasonable travel and will be providing refreshments and lunch throughout the week.

https://suffolkcommunitylibraries.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Pollinate-Create-Intensive-Application-Pack-v2.pdf - Find out more by exploring our recruitment pack (here)

Job Requirements

The intensive residency will be a catalyst for artists working within this area, so that creative health, arts, and wellbeing can flourish within our region.

Suffolk Community Libraries would like to hear from you if you are:

  • A creative, artist, writer, or performer - in any medium, including music, movement, visual arts, digital media, print, theatre etc.
  • Enthusiastic about developing activities for Suffolk's communities, including presenting, and sharing your knowledge through events and workshops
  • Someone who is living in or working regularly in Suffolk, and who is keen to work across the county delivering creative health provision.
  • Committed to creating work which advocates for the environment.
  • Available between 23 - 27 March 2026.

Job Responsibilities

This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of the development of our creative health programme. We are looking to work with artists who are keen to build meaningful reciprocal relationships with the libraries team, utilising libraries as a 'test kitchen' for new ways of working.

In addition to participating in the intensive you must also be able to:

  • Comfortably interact with library customers, including but not limited to young people, families, and later life groups
  • Participate in the promotion of projects, including media opportunities to promote the residency and the library.

Post intensive

The week will hold a space to explore new ideas and ways of working which following the week will form a tangible community programme. Following the intensive each participating artist will be allocated a commissioning pot of £1000 to test bed their ideas in a library setting.

Useful Links

How to Apply

Please complete the online expression of interest form on the website.

The closing date for applications is Monday 16 February at 09:00.

Interviews will take place in-person at Lowestoft Library on Friday 27 February.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with us at: [email protected]

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