As a songwriter, why not throw yourself into a new opportunity in 2026? From applying for funding initiatives to signing up to freestyle challenges, there are a host of openings for songwriters to explore in January as the music industry clicks back into gear following the festive break.
We’ve pulled together five opportunities for songwriters to check out in January 2026 — click here to find out more.
HOME Young Film Collective is a 6 month programme for 18-25 year olds who want to take part in film workshops covering everything from practical filmmaking skills, programming, distribution and will culminate in the making of a number of short films that will be screened in HOME’s cinema. The 6 month programme will begin in February 2026 and applications are open now.
Developed by Lowry, HOME and Z-arts, the course is designed to give early-career producers in Greater Manchester the structured training, networks and practical tools they need to thrive. For 2026, Company Chameleon joins the programme as a new partner, and Stage One return for a second year.
Our pilot made clear just how essential this kind of development is — especially at a time when the sector faces a shortage of producers and few accessible pathways exist for new and diverse talent to enter the field.
English Conversation Cafe is for anyone who speaks very little English or none, who would like to learn more about the English language and social culture/traditions, or just to socialise and beat the blues of isolation.
Working with outstanding professional artists, being in YEP you’ll develop your creativity, learn new skills, gain qualifications and make new friends in our welcoming and supportive groups and sessions.
In partnership with Jigsaw Homes, we’re bringing back our Skills Exchange programme where we’ll be running 2x week long training courses for young people aged 16-18 (or 18-25 with an EHCP) who live in Tameside and aren’t in education, training or full time employment. The courses we’ll be running are:
Hospitality: 8 Sept – 13 Sept from 1-4pm at Dukinfield Community Hub
HOSPITALITY LINK
Live Events Production: 20 Oct – 25 Oct from 1-4pm at Tameside Arts Centre
LIVE EVENTS PRODUCTION LINK
As part of the course, participants will get further support from a Key Worker at Jigsaw to help them into further employment or training opportunities AND the chance to see a free show here at RET. We can also support covering cost of travel, lunches etc or any other barriers that people might face.
Role: DJ Content Creator
Location: Leeds, UK (primarily in-office)
Apply: work@wearecrossfader.co.uk
Date Posted: July 2025
Crossfader have built one of the world’s leading online DJ education platforms. Through their DJ courses, YouTube content and tutorials, they’ve helped thousands of people learn how to mix, build confidence, and find joy in music.
Now, they’re looking for someone new to join the mix.
They’re hiring a DJ Content Creator, someone who loves DJing, gets nerdy about software and tech like Rekordbox and Serato, and is just as passionate about teaching and sharing as they are about playing out.
This role is ideal for someone who’s confident on camera, enjoys experimenting with new gear, and wants to help others grow their skills, whether that’s through tutorials, reviews, gear tests or course content.
You’ll be working closely with their team at their Leeds-based studio, so they’re looking for someone who is able and willing to work from our office regularly.
The BFI Doc Society RAD Fund is open and accepting applications on a rolling basis. They are inviting UK-based first or second-time feature-length documentary directors, director/producer teams, and emerging to mid-career producers to apply. The fund supports independent, non-fiction films and immersive projects with up to £5,000 for early-stage development of a single film or up to £10,000 for multiple projects with attached directors. The funding emphasises expansive, director-led storytelling that represents the diversity of UK society and encourages creative risks.
Applicants must register at app.docsociety.org/apply/ and complete the application form. Applications are accepted year-round, with a processing time of up to 12 weeks. Successful applicants will receive funding for activities such as writing treatments, creating visual materials, research costs, and fees for consultants and directors. This initiative aims to champion underrepresented talent and foster a more inclusive film industry.
For more information, visit the BFI Doc Society website or contact hello@docsociety.org.
Manchester Settlement are hiring Sessional Contract Youth Workers. This role is to work on Monday evenings as a minimum with the potential for additional hours on other evenings and in the school holidays. Regular Tuesday evening sessions, occasional sessions on Monday evenings, and school holiday day time sessions will be available.
We are hiring for a Midweight Photographer to join our fast-paced, in-house creative studio at Footasylum. This is a brilliant opportunity to help shape how our brand shows up across retail, digital, and social platforms — with product, people, and culture at the core of our visual storytelling. As a Midweight Photographer, you’ll work closely with a talented team of creatives — including stylists, retouchers, creatives, videographers, and producers — to create bold, high-impact content that resonates with our audience.
RPS bursaries offer financial support and tailored resources to help you create, develop, and share your photography.
RPS bursaries provide a platform for international exposure and professional development.
The successful recipient will have their work published and showcased digitally across the RPS
On completion of the projects, each recipient will also have the opportunity to have your portfolio printed by Metro Imaging.
WHATCLASS is a revolution in modern music learning. On-demand, bite-size classes directly from the most influential artists in music culture, with insight and skills you can use immediately.
Whether you aspire to perform on the biggest stages or simply explore a personal passion for music-making, WHATCLASS empowers your artistic journey, one class at a time.
Click the link above to find out more.
Alchemy Arts frequently offer freelance opportunities for creatives of all skill levels, from emerging talent to seasoned professionals. Each job listing will detail the required experience and compensation. While most opportunities are paid, we may also share occasional volunteer roles or general vacancies within our team. By joining their talent pool, you’ll receive updates on these openings and can choose to apply for the roles that align with your skills and interests.
While most questions are optional, Alchemy Arts would love to learn more about your background and the type of work you’re most passionate about.
Kaiia is a community-first fashion brand creating everyday essentials for the modern, style-conscious girl. They focus on elevated casualwear, social-first storytelling, and building real connections through fashion, creativity, and culture.
Kaiia The Label are looking for a Junior Graphic Designer to join their growing Creative & Marketing team. Someone who’s passionate about design, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants to grow in a brand that’s moving fast and making noise.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Click the link above or here for more details and to apply.
The aim of this fund is to support individual artists and organisations who have experienced barriers to accessing our funding. Creative Steps aims to address this by supporting artists and organisations throughout their journey, helping them with their professional, business and organisational development.
We believe it is crucial to support these individuals and organisations because it is a priority for us to increase the diversity of work being created, funded and celebrated in Wales.
We want to make sure that you have sufficient time to complete your application, including any support/mentoring that’s required. Please note that if you have not already spoken to a Development Officer and discussed a draft proposal with them, we will not be able to release a link to an application form less than 2 weeks before a published deadline. Thank you.Who can apply?
Creative Steps for Individuals is open to individual artists and creatives who identify as being ethnically and culturally diverse, Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. This scheme focuses on these particular groups because research, both internally and externally, tells us that we are not engaging enough with individuals from these backgrounds. It also tells us that individuals from these backgrounds and lived experiences have not been able to access our funding easily and have faced barriers and/or discrimination.
Please see the next drop down for our full definitions.
We advise that you read the eligibility criteria below to find out if you’re eligible to apply for this fund.
Take a look at our eligibility criteria for individuals.
Our criteria for individuals states that you must have experience as an artist or creative professional. You may have had breaks, and your artistry does not have to be your main source of income, but you must have demonstrable artistic or creative experience.
Our criteria for individuals states that you must have some experience of making and sharing work with others (a performance or exhibition for example). For those that do not have this experience, we may still be able to support you as long as you submit a portfolio to us with your application. We may decide to fund you based on your artistic potential.
You must clearly articulate the barriers you’ve had in your journey and how the Creative Steps funding can help remove those barriers. We recognise that it can be difficult to talk about negative or harmful experiences so we will do our best to ensure that applicants are able to share their experiences in a safe environment.
The White Pube Creatives Grant is a one-off £500 grant to be given out to a different working class creative practitioner based in the UK once every month. This grant has been set up to support creatives of all ages who are early in their careers and would benefit from this no-strings attached financial support to help them in whatever they like – be that money to cover time to make, or money to fund materials, equipment, research, subscriptions, development, travel, or even rent and bills. The grant is open to anybody who makes stuff. Art, writing, performance, sound, music, craft, comedy, games, whatever you want to throw at us.
Anybody can put themselves forward by emailing funding@thewhitepube.com. Give us a brief introduction to yourself, contact information and an example of your work. There is no deadline as this is a monthly rolling grant, and the grant does not expect any outcomes or reporting. If you are not awarded the grant one month, your submission is still taken into consideration for future months so there is no need to re-submit. The work of each recipient is shared on The White Pube homepage, plus you can find more information about previous recipients below.
We’re looking for a talented Social Editor or sometimes, called a Video Researcher to join our team! If you’re a creative individual with a passion for social media and viral content, this role is perfect for you!
We operate across all major social publishers including Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube and our mission is to give the youth generation a voice by building communities that laugh, think and act.
Missy Empire is a rapidly growing online fashion retailer, looking for a talented Graphic & Content Designer with Video Editing and Gif Skills to join our team. The successful candidate will have experience in creating engaging visuals for various formats, print, packaging and digital platforms, as well as a passion for video editing and creating gifs.
As a Technical Assistant, you will manage our cinemas with scheduled and private screenings, support staff with technical help and assist on smaller projects as directed by the Technical and IT Management or other members of the IT Services management team, along with AV support on events using mixing desks, video play back and recordings, production lighting, and live music.
oin Black Creative Trailblazers & Manchester Museum for an evening to reflect, recharge & connect with creatives across Manchester. Inspired by The Cat that Slept for 1000 Years, we’ll explore how caring for ourselves and our dreams shapes a better future.
Expect beautiful conversations, good vibes, and space to simply be.