artist development opportunity

31 August - 31 october 2026

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Photo credits: Flexer & Sandiland

About the project

Are you curious about a career in the arts? This fully funded opportunity gives five young people aged 16-25 the chance to meet and learn from professional artists and creative practitioners alongside a live public arts project in Milton Keynes.

‍An Obscure Camera is an interactive installation and choreographic intervention by artists Flexer & Sandiland. The work brings together dance, visual arts, photography, digital technology, participation and performance. This work, which has been presented at leading arts spaces around the UK, is due to be presented by MÓTUS Dance in Central Milton Keynes on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.

‍Based on the Victorian ‘Camera Obscura’, this new digital update allows visitors to physically interact with, and control a multitude of peep-hole views depicting the live view of what’s happening outside of the building. Watch a short video of the exhibition in action HERE.

‍In tandem, Flexer & Sandiland will be creating a series of outdoor choreographic interventions, performed by local artists, which can be experienced through the installation.

Artist Development Opportunity: An artist development programme led by MÓTUS with support from Offset Projects accompanies the commission. Five young people aged 16-25 will take part in a 2-month volunteering and mentoring programme

are you aged 16-25 and interested in the arts, performance, events, producing, design or creative careers?

You may already be studying an arts based subject, looking for a work experience opportunity or simply considering a future in the arts. We welcome applications from all 16-25 year olds living, learning or working in Milton Keynes or the surrounding area; no previous experience is required.

What will you gain?

  • One-to-one mentoring

    (3 sessions per participant)

  • Hands-on project experience

  • Creative careers advice

  • New professional contacts

  • Experience for your CV or portfolio

  • Increased confidence / creative skills

  • Meet like-minded peers

What support is available?

  • MÓTUS Dance will provide support for all participants throughout.

  • Offset Projects will provide guidance on getting the best from mentoring.

  • All participants will receive £100 volunteer expenses - this may support for example your travel, data or lunches.

  • We’re committed to ensuring that the opportunity is accessible to all young people. If you have additional support needs we encourage you to share these when making your application.

What will you do?

  • Meet, shadow and work alongside professional artists / producers

  • Learn about creative producing

  • Take part in mentoring with a member of the project team (see below).

  • Support event delivery

  • Gain insight into exhibition and presentation design

  • Support event delivery and assist with a professional live exhibition

  • Help capture audience feedback

project schedule

The project will run across September and October 2026. Please ensure that you have checked your availability before submitting your application; applicants will be asked to confirm that they are available for all project dates as part of the application process.

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Introductory session | Online | TBC (week beginning 7th Sept)

An online session hosted by MÓTUS who will introduce the artists, fellow team members, the project and your role within it.

Mentoring sessions | Online & In-person

All team members will receive 3 x mentoring sessions across September / October - this includes an in person session on Friday 25 September. Dates and times for all other sessions to be agreed separately between mentor / mentee.

Creative Careers Conversation | Friday 25 September | 6-8pm

MÓTUS and Flexer & Sandiland will jointly host an event for individuals considering a career in the arts. This event will be open to U25s outside the core team and include a Q&A.

Event support | In person | Saturday 25 - Sunday 27 September

The opportunity to work alongside Flexer & Sandiland as part of the artwork installation and public opening. Times will be agreed individually.

Evaluation session | Online | Thursday 1 October | 6-8pm

A final online session hosted by MÓTUS will draw the project to a close. Team members will be invited to share their experiences and consider their next steps.

producers and mentors

  • Yael Flexer

    Mentoring focus: Dance, producing and live performance

    Yael Flexer is a choreographer based in Brighton, UK. Her work is primarily concerned with interaction; connecting with an audience on a human and visceral level. Co-artistic director of Flexer & Sandiland, Yael has created 15 full-length productions for the company touring throughout the UK and internationally. Flexer & Sandiland have been commissioned to create works for, among others: Brighton Festival and Digital Festival, South East Dance, Sadler’s Wells and Barbican Centre, Hull Dance, Dance East, and Swindon Dance. Current touring projects include the installations An Elevated Platform and An Obscure Camera. Recent stage productions Imagining Otherwise and Acting Our Age. Commissions as an independent artist & movement director include works for London Contemporary Dance School, Project Female, Three Score Dance, Encore East, National Youth Dance Company, Trinity-Laban, Rita Evans, and numerous works for UK C.A.T. programmes.

  • Nic Sandiland

    Mentoring focus: Working with galleries and venues, interactive technologies and installation design

    Nic Sandiland is a UK-based artist working across installation, performance, and film. He has made work in London, Europe and Southeast Asia and has presented at theatres, art galleries, and many unusual venues. His film work has been shown worldwide and has been broadcast on UK TV (Channel 4).

    Nic’s work has been commissioned by organisations such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican Arts Centre, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and The Brighton Festival. Nic has taught workshops on digital technology and dance around the World including Bangalore, India and Seoul, South Korea.

  • Cameron Ball

    Mentoring focus: Live events, fundraising, theatre and dance

    Cameron is Artistic Director of MÓTUS Dance, where he leads on programming, fundraising and producing various projects in theatres, galleries, schools, community centres and public spaces around Milton Keynes. Alongside this, he is Festival Manager of the U.Dance National Festival where he has produced work at Sadler’s Wells, Southbank Centre, Northern Stage and Tramway, Glasgow.

    Prior to this he worked in the West End and internationally as a theatre performer in over a dozen major shows, and has lectured and taught all over the world.

  • Carrie Browne

    Mentoring focus: Visual arts and dance

    As Youth, Education and Outreach Manager at MÓTUS Dance, Carrie manages a large schools programme and co-ordinates school/youth workshops and events. She is also very experienced with outreach work, engaging local communities to come and experience the amazing events that MÓTUS presents.

    Carrie has a background in visual art, working with leading galleries in curation, education and artist development projects.

This project is presented thanks to funding from Arts Council England, MK City Council and the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement