DIY
Professional development BY artists FOR artists
Most professional development schemes are conceived by ‘arts professionals’ and tend not to be geared to the eclectic and often unusual needs of artists whose practices are grounded in challenging and unconventional approaches, forms and concepts. We aim to promote ideas for exciting, innovative and idiosyncratic Live Art professional development projects that offer something different.
The first DIY was run in 2002, and since 2007 has been a national initiative. In 2017 and 2018, an additional programme of DIY enhancements was supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation, enabling the participation of artist-led collectives as partners, follow-on funds for projects born in DIYs, and a number of more ambitious, better resourced projects. Bridging the pandemic and extended periods of lockdown, DIY 2020 involved 27 projects in collaboration with 24 national partners. Many of these projects took place online.
In October 2025, the programme was re-activated as DIT. Still DIY, but Together, the crucial shift for 2026 is that each project will be supported by two national partners instead of one, igniting a nation-wide support network for process-led experimental practice.
Nicola Hunter, Raising The Skirt, 2014, Newcastle. Image credit Felicia Knox. LADA Opportunities, DIY11 2014
Artists On 10 Years of DIY
For DIY 10 in 2013 we invited some of the artists leading DIY projects in 2013 to reflect on their experiences and share their thoughts about the scheme. Featuring interviews with Barby Asante & Delaine Le Bas, Nigel Barret and Louise Mari, Hester Chillingworth and Lucy McCormick, Lois Keidan and Aaron Wright, Ursula Martinez, Jordan McKenzie and Joshua Sofaer. Made in collaboration with Video in Common. We have also made an extended version of the film (15 mins) which features full interviews with the artists.
Previous DIY Projects
Banner image credit:
Green Screen Charivari (2019), © Adam Patterson
