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Open Call for Events: Digital Rights and Liberatory Futures

POSTED: 14 September 2026

Calling all emerging creatives! Submit your event proposal exploring how emergent technologies intersect with social justice, representation and identity



at a glance



What

The open call for events is a paid professional development opportunity for London-based creatives



who

This open call is for emerging creatives with limited or no experience of programming a practice based event



fee

The successful applicant will receive a £410 programming fee and have a budget of £620 for the event



deadline

The deadline to apply is 10am (GMT) Monday 16 November 2026

ABOUT THis opportunity

We are looking for an emerging creative to produce an in-person event at Autograph’s gallery in Hackney, London in March 2027. The event should creatively respond to Autograph's mission, exploring themes such as race and representation, identity, social justice, and human rights.

Digital technologies are transforming the way people communicate, organise and participate in society. They are reshaping the ways fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, privacy and access to information are exercised, protected, and violated. This raises questions about equity, accountability and the recognition of new rights. Who benefits? Who is excluded? How can technology be explored as a critical tool toward more liberatory futures?

We welcome proposals exploring the themes outlined below, while also encouraging submissions on related topics beyond these: 

★ Algorithmic bias and representation in digital spaces
★ Freedom of expression and access to information
★ Community-building, dissent and digital activism
★ Digital inclusion and accessibility
★ Migration and digital borders
★ Digital tools for creative practice

The workshop must be suitable for a general audience, run no longer than 3 hours and work within Autograph’s event space, which accommodates up to 20 participants. We welcome mixed-format events that foster collaboration and active participation. For more information about Autograph's events programme, visit our events page.

If you have any questions about the opportunity, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ishy by emailing ishy@autograph-abp.co.uk.

THE Open Call Programme

Since 2018, Autograph’s Open Call for Events has supported emerging creatives to bring their ideas to life through a paid opportunity to develop and deliver an event at our gallery in London.

We welcome fresh ideas and perspectives that bring new voices into our public programme. At the heart of this opportunity is a spirit of collaboration, exchange and learning together. Whether you're developing an idea for the first time or looking to build on your existing practice, our team will work closely with you throughout the process.

Here is what you can expect from the experience:

DEVELOP YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE

Explore your ideas, experiment with new approaches and gain hands-on experience developing and delivering a public event. 

IMPROVING CONFIDENCE

Gain experience in facilitating conversations, sharing your ideas with an audience and bringing people together through creative practice.

REACHING AUDIENCES

Work with our team to promote your event, connect with Autograph's audiences and reach new people through our communications channels. 

STRENGTHENING COPYWRITING SKILLS

Develop engaging event descriptions and promotional copy for our website and social media channels, with guidance and support from our team.  

SUPPORT AND FEEDBACK

Receive constructive feedback as you develop your proposal, with opportunities to exchange ideas with our team. After your event, we'll come together to reflect on the experience and what you might take forward. 

how to apply

Before applying, please take some time to read the information provided in this pack. It contains important information about fees and the time commitment involved in this opportunity.

To apply, please complete and submit the application form by 10am (GMT) Monday 16 November 2026. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications received after this deadline. Please make sure to use the application form rather than sending us a CV, as we won’t be able to consider it.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal video call during the week beginning 30 November 2026 to discuss their proposal. While we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted, we may share some general observations and reflections across the applications we received. 

We look forward to hearing your ideas and seeing what you propose. 

eligibility

ACCESSIBILITY


London-based with limited or no experience of programming a practice based event

SAFETY MEASURES


Interested in issue-led arts and cultural activity

TICKETS


Can commit 15 hours of working time between January and March 2027

from autograph online

Disability and Digital (im)mobilisation

Watch back the discussion, examining what stillness and mobility mean in a digitally hyperconnected society

Watch | 1 hour 28 mins

Femme Representation and Algorithmic Bias

Watch back the online conversation, contemplating femme representation in digital spaces

Watch | 1 hour 28 mins

Collection Highlight: Digital Clouds Don't Carry Rain

Artist Monica Alcazar-Duarte explores ecology, indigenous knowledge and western botany systems

Read | 4 min read

Pose for Our Family, 2025

Combining generative AI with personal family archives, Mauritian artist Sabrina Tirvengadum's practice reflects on transgenerational trauma

Read | 4 min read

Images on Page: Installation image of I Still Dream of Lost Vocabularies exhibition at Autograph, London, 2025. Photograph by Kate Elliott.