ARE YOU AN EARLY-MID CAREER ARTIST LIVING IN THE CALDERDALE AREA?

WE HAVE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR A CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL LIVING IN CALDERDALE TO WORK WITH ONE OF THE UK LEADING ARTS ORGANISATIONS HANDMADE PRODUCTIONS CIC.

 

WHO ARE WE?

Handmade Productions is an outdoor arts company creating bold, visually striking experiences for parades, festivals, and public spaces. We specialise in high-impact, participatory events that transform streets into vibrant, high-energy spectacles celebrating creativity and shared joy. We collaborate with communities to create ambitious outdoor performances rooted in artistic excellence and dynamic visual storytelling. Our work is driven by meaningful community collaboration and strong partnership working, ensuring inclusive, engaging, and widely shared experiences.

Our team of artists and producers brings extensive national and international experience, combining creative innovation with technical expertise to deliver high-quality events. With specialists in puppetry, design, facilitation, and event management, we excel in producing large-scale parades, coordinating complex projects, and creating vibrant community celebrations that reflect and celebrate the unique identity of each community

We deliver over 20 projects annually across the UK each year and have a proven track record of effective partnership working with local authorities, cultural organisations, and community groups to deliver impactful well-managed events. Clients include Manchester Council, Wakefield Council, Halifax BID, Colne BID, RSPB, and more.

 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic intern to join our friendly and dynamic team. This hands-on role is perfect for someone who is eager to learn new skills; making large scale puppets and lanterns, developing as a community artist, joining in puppeteering, and willing to muck in as general crew on our exciting outdoor events. Our event environment can be fast paced and physically demanding. You should be happy working outdoors in all weather conditions, comfortable with lifting and loading equipment, and flexible enough to handle long days when working onsite, including occasional evenings and weekends.

 

WHAT YOU’LL DO: 

• To fulfil this role, you will be required to commit to 300 hrs of working with Handmade Productions (times and locations tbc).
• You will gain hands on experience working with experienced artists making medium and large-scale puppets and lantern builds.
• You will shadow and assist artists to deliver public workshops.
• You will be mentored to plan and deliver outreach workshops independently, including planning sessions, writing risk assessments, delivery and evaluation.
• Gain experience with one other Calderdale based successful outdoor artist/company.
• Work as crew and puppeteer during at least one major outdoor event. This will include heavy lifting, loading and unloading vans, assembling artwork, performing with artwork at events.
• Engage in at least two professional development (CPD) sessions run by HMP or partners.
• You will evidence your experience and develop a professional portfolio which will include photos, skills log, artist statements etc.

 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: 

• You will be an integral part of parade preparations and activities, which will provide an exclusive insight into the community and outdoor arts sector.
• You’ll learn approaches and techniques in the making of large-scale puppets and lantern structures from several highly experienced artists.
• You will learn how to plan, prep and evaluate successful community workshops.
• You’ll see what’s needed to deliver a successful parade event before, during and afterwards.
• You’ll develop a professional portfolio which will increase your employability.
• You’ll learn puppeteering performance with large puppets

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is one position available to an applicant living in Calderdale.

This is a paid opportunity.

Pay: £12.71/hour  

Term: 300 hours from September 2026 – March 2027

Dates: As a project-based company, our workload fluctuates throughout the year. While we cannot offer fixed weekly hours, we require a degree of flexibility to meet project demands. We guarantee a minimum of 300 hours across the contract duration, which we will schedule collaboratively to balance our project timelines with your personal availability. Hours will be a mix of weekdays, plus some weekends and evenings.

We already have several dates scheduled with opportunities for the internship, so it would be beneficial if the successful intern is available to attend on these dates;

At least 8 days from these dates in September 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 14^th,15^th,16^th, 21^st, 22^nd,23^rd, 28^th, 29^th, and 30^th.

Week of 26^th October, or week of 23^rd November.

Saturday 14^th November

Location: Handmade Productions CIC workshop, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8LN and Todmorden location. Tbc.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS: You can apply in one of two ways:

1. Send your expression of interest including details of your qualifications, skills, art form, and experience in no more than 2 sides of A4. Photos of your work are welcome.
2. Submit a link to your video application via email, the video should be maximum 5 minutes and sent as a link (do not send a video file, as we will not receive it).

Please only apply if you live in Calderdale (the funding we have is only for Calderdale applicants) and send all applications to fran@handmadeproductions.org.uk by Monday 17th^th August 2026.

You’ll be contacted by Friday 21st August 2026 if you have been short listed. You will be invited to an interview which will be on Monday 24^th or Tuesday 25^th August.

 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in our sector – including people of colour, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and disabled people.

Join the Board of Handmade Productions CIC

Every year, Handmade Productions transforms streets into stages—filled with giant puppets, glowing lanterns, music, movement and thousands of people coming together to create something unforgettable.

From community workshops to large-scale parades, their work connects people, builds confidence, and celebrates creativity in its most joyful form.

Now, as the organisation prepares to become a registered charity, they’re looking for new board members to help shape what comes next.

Why join?

This is more than a board role—it’s a chance to support an organisation that has reached over 1.5 million people and plays a vital role in bringing communities together through creativity.

You’ll help guide an exciting period of growth and change, while being part of something genuinely uplifting and impactful.

Who might this be for?

You might be someone who:

• Enjoys thinking strategically and asking good questions
• Is curious about how arts organisations grow and sustain themselves
• Wants to use your professional skills in a meaningful way
• Is interested in your first Board or Trustee role

Or you may already have Board experience and be looking to support a creative, community-focused organisation.

We’re particularly interested in people with experience in:

• Business development or partnerships
• Finance
• HR
• Fundraising

What’s involved?

The role is flexible and designed to fit around your other commitments. It includes:

• Around 4 Board meetings a year (weekday evenings)
• Contributing ideas, insight and constructive challenge
• Supporting the organisation’s long-term direction
• Acting as an advocate for the work

What you’ll get in return

• Experience of helping an organisation transition to charity status
• A chance to work alongside a passionate, creative team
• Opportunities to see the work up close—parades, events, workshops
• The satisfaction of contributing to something with real community impact

Interested?

Please send a short expression of interest and CV to Clare Danon (Director and Creative Producer) at clare@handmadeproductions.org.uk

We’re very happy to arrange an informal chat before you apply.

Deadline: Applications are on a rolling basis, with first interviews taking place in May 2026.

 

Download the recruitment pack here.