Key dates
Application deadline: Sun 18 May, 11.59pm
Interviews: w/c Mon 16 June
Supported by BAFTA-winning producer, Tobi Kyeremateng, the cohort will develop practical skills and theoretical approaches to cultural curation with contributions and insights from practitioners across a variety of art-forms. During their time on the programme, they will also learn from industry experts working at the Southbank Centre and our network of partners, including Skin Deep, Resolve Collective, SXSW London and Factory International.
Over 20 months, from July 2025, the Southbank Centre will build a relationship with the cohort, developing and strengthening their practice via monthly talks, workshops, peer-led discussions and an intensive residential retreat. Putting theory into practice, the cohort will then have a range of opportunities to programme and curate events as part of Festival 75 – our 75th Anniversary celebration during May to September 2026 – as well as wider Southbank Centre programming.
The cohort will be made up of programmers and curators with interests including, but not limited to:
- Literature and Spoken Word
- Film and Moving Image
- Music and Sound
- Performance and Dance
- Architecture and Spatial Design
- Creative Education and Community Engagement
- Creative Technology
- Visual Arts
Ultimately, we’re looking for individuals who are excited about bringing people together through cultural experiences to play, learn, feel, and move.
This opportunity has been designed for early-career creatives who can demonstrate some prior experience in programming and curation, whether that’s curating a panel discussion at your local arts centre, programming a multi art-form cultural event, or working in a role where programming and curation might be a small part of your job that you would like to focus on more. For more guidance, please look at our FAQS, Here
This course combines training and professional opportunities. Participants will be expected to attend all training sessions and will be paid for any programming and curation work here at the Southbank Centre.
Eligibility criteria
Details of the eligibility criteria below are also available as a downloadable PDF. Download the eligibility criteria
To apply for the Southbank Centre Presents programme, you must meet the following criteria:
Age
You must be aged 21–32 at the time of the first session (12 July 2025).
Location
You should be based in the UK and able to travel to London for regular in-person sessions, workshops, and events at the Southbank Centre.
Experience
You should have some prior experience in cultural programming or curation. This could include:
- Organising a local cultural event or creative gathering
- Curating a digital showcase or exhibition
- Contributing to programming as part of your job or freelance practice
- Running creative workshops or panel discussions.
Interest and approach
You should be excited about using culture to bring people together and open up space for play, learning, feeling, and movement. We’re looking for applicants who care about inclusion, collaboration and engagement, not only with their audiences, but with the cohort.
Availability
You must be able to commit to the full 20-month programme, including:
- Monthly training sessions, talks, and workshops
- Residential retreat
- Participation in curating and delivering events for the Southbank Centre programme and local community platforms.
Key dates
Application deadline: Sun 18 May, 11.59pm
Interviews: w/c Mon 16 June
Supported by BAFTA-winning producer, Tobi Kyeremateng, the cohort will develop practical skills and theoretical approaches to cultural curation with contributions and insights from practitioners across a variety of art-forms. During their time on the programme, they will also learn from industry experts working at the Southbank Centre and our network of partners, including Skin Deep, Resolve Collective, SXSW London and Factory International.
Over 20 months, from July 2025, the Southbank Centre will build a relationship with the cohort, developing and strengthening their practice via monthly talks, workshops, peer-led discussions and an intensive residential retreat. Putting theory into practice, the cohort will then have a range of opportunities to programme and curate events as part of Festival 75 – our 75th Anniversary celebration during May to September 2026 – as well as wider Southbank Centre programming.
The cohort will be made up of programmers and curators with interests including, but not limited to:
- Literature and Spoken Word
- Film and Moving Image
- Music and Sound
- Performance and Dance
- Architecture and Spatial Design
- Creative Education and Community Engagement
- Creative Technology
- Visual Arts
Ultimately, we’re looking for individuals who are excited about bringing people together through cultural experiences to play, learn, feel, and move.
This opportunity has been designed for early-career creatives who can demonstrate some prior experience in programming and curation, whether that’s curating a panel discussion at your local arts centre, programming a multi art-form cultural event, or working in a role where programming and curation might be a small part of your job that you would like to focus on more. For more guidance, please look at our FAQS, Here
This course combines training and professional opportunities. Participants will be expected to attend all training sessions and will be paid for any programming and curation work here at the Southbank Centre.
Eligibility criteria
Details of the eligibility criteria below are also available as a downloadable PDF. Download the eligibility criteria
To apply for the Southbank Centre Presents programme, you must meet the following criteria:
Age
You must be aged 21–32 at the time of the first session (12 July 2025).
Location
You should be based in the UK and able to travel to London for regular in-person sessions, workshops, and events at the Southbank Centre.
Experience
You should have some prior experience in cultural programming or curation. This could include:
- Organising a local cultural event or creative gathering
- Curating a digital showcase or exhibition
- Contributing to programming as part of your job or freelance practice
- Running creative workshops or panel discussions.
Interest and approach
You should be excited about using culture to bring people together and open up space for play, learning, feeling, and movement. We’re looking for applicants who care about inclusion, collaboration and engagement, not only with their audiences, but with the cohort.
Availability
You must be able to commit to the full 20-month programme, including:
- Monthly training sessions, talks, and workshops
- Residential retreat
- Participation in curating and delivering events for the Southbank Centre programme and local community platforms.
