Arts, Culture and Heritage Opportunities in Essex

Job Opportunities

• Youth Events Producer, Culture Chelmsford 
  Freelance fee: £8,000. Deadline 31 May 2026. 
   
  
• Project Manager, Green Connections/Wise Ram Theatre 
  Freelance role at £220 per day. Deadline 31 May 2026.  
   
  
• Collaborative Pianist, Brentwood School 
  PT, £24,000. Deadline 1 June 2026.  
   
  
• Finance Officer, Mercury Theatre 
  PT, £26,474 (pro rata) per annum. Deadline 8 June 2026.  
   
  
• The Hervey Benham Wardrobe Assistant Placement, Mercury Theatre 
  FT training placement paid at national minimum wage. Deadline 15 June 2026.  
   
  
• The Greyfriars Technical Stage Management Placement, Mercury Theatre 
  FT training placement paid at national minimum wage. Deadline 15 June 2026.   
   
  
• Events and Engagement Officer, Chelmsford Garden Community Council  
  FT, £33,699. Deadline 15 June 2026. 

Commission Opportunities 

• Open Call: Creative Research and Development in East Tilbury, Start Thurrock 
  Commission fee: £6,000. Deadline 15 June 2026.  
  
  
•  Open Call: Basildon Community Micro-Commissions, Towngate Theatre 
  Towngate Theatre is offering 5 micro-commissions of £700 to support the research, development, or prototyping of new creative work that connects with Basildon communities. Deadline 26 June 2026.  
  
  
• Open Call: The Artist Prize, Firstsite and Zealous.  
  Submit your work for a chance to win £30,000 and a solo show at Firstsite in 2028. Deadline 7 July 2026. 

Funding or Development Opportunities 

• Rochford Community Fund, Rochford District Council 
  Local groups and residents can now apply for the 2026 Rochford Community Fund, offering grants of £2,000 to £5,000 to support meaningful, not‑for‑profit projects that boost wellbeing across the district. Deadline: 31 July 2026.  

• Innovation Fund, University of Essex  
  Open to UK and internationally registered organisations partnering with Essex through research, knowledge, or specialist expertise. Apply for project grants of up to £15,000.  

• Please refer to our funding page.

If you have an opportunity you’d like to share, including jobs, grants or professional development opportunities, please get in touch via culture@essex.gov.uk.