Background

Much has been learned over the past few years about the ways in which art practitioners have to navigate a range of complex legislative and funding systems in order to ensure they can continue with their practice and leverage a sustainable income. The impact of the pandemic has highlighted the need of support from those with experience in supporting individuals in developing and managing such funding systems as well as developing new approaches to working in the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This resulted is a successful mentoring programme that ran from 2021-2023, matching experienced practitioners to artists and creative freelancers who requested help and support. This scheme included mentoring in career and practice development, practical skills and advice on personal planning, identifying and applying for funding, and the acquisition of new practical and technical skills.

We are pleased to re-launch Future Foundation for 2025/2026, re-establishing our mentoring scheme and bringing a new programme of training and development opportunities to Northern Ireland’s creative sector.

FutureStage XR: XR Training for the Performing Arts 

Future Stage XR is an intensive training programme for professional artists ready to reimagine their practice in the world of Extended Reality (XR). This programme invites performance and interdisciplinary artists to dive into immersive technologies—VR, AR, motion capture, AI, game engines — and explore how they can radically transform live performance. 

This programme is about equipping artists with the language, understanding, and hands-on experience they need to engage meaningfully with XR technologies. By demystifying the tools and workflows behind immersive media, we empower performers to articulate their creative vision with clarity—so they can collaborate confidently with technical teams and push the boundaries of what's possible in performance. 

Over the course of ten weeks, participants will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools, collaborate with technologists and academics, and develop experimental XR performance concepts in a studio-lab environment. The programme will consist of a blend of online and in-person learning, with a total of five online lectures and five in-person workshops at Queen’s University Media Lab.  

The course will include training in the following areas:  

• Introduction to XR technologies  

• Augmented Reality 

• Virtual Reality 

• Computer Vision AI 

• Motion Capture 

• Real-Time 3D App Development 

Who this programme is for: 

• Professional artists working in live performance  

• Production managers/officers  

• Writers 

• Sound/lighting/AV technicians with limited prior knowledge of XR 

Eligibility: 

• This is a beginners’ programme tailored to artists with little to no experience of XR. 

• You must be able to evidence that you have been working in the arts/creative industries for at least two years. 

• You must be able to commit to five days of in-person workshops on the dates below and 1-2 hours of online learning a week. 

• You must be resident in Northern Ireland. 

Key Dates: 

• Applications Open: 17 June 2025 

• Applications Close: 1 August 2025 

• Places awarded: 27 August 2025 

• Introductory Workshop: 15 September 2025 (QUB Capture Lab)

• Weekly Lectures: 22 Sept-20 October (Online) 

• 2-day workshop: 3-4 November (QUB Capture Lab) 

• 2-day workshop: 10-11 November (QUB Capture Lab)  

What participants will gain: 

• A clear understanding of XR technology and its creative possibilities  

• Foundational skills in Unity for XR development 

• Insight into crafting compelling stories in immersive media 

• A practical roadmap for applying XR to new or existing projects 

Participants who complete the course will also be eligible to apply for the Future Foundation Technical Mentorship Programme. This opportunity pairs artists with XR experts to develop and test a creative concept. The programme includes: 

• Access to XR equipment and facilities 

• A training support grant of £1500 

• A chance to showcase work in progress. 

Further details about the technical mentorship programme will be announced later in the year. 

Application 

Places on this course are strictly limited. To apply: 

1. Please complete this form; 

1. Please send a CV/Portfolio/Website Link to futurescreensni@qub.ac.uk 

If you require this form in another format or have any questions, contact Ciara at futurescreensni@qub.ac.uk. Please also let us know if there are any barriers limiting your ability to take part in this programme and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

We are also pleased to invite you to the launch of Future Foundation 2.0 where we will provide an opportunity for you to meet our team and learn about our plans for the 2025/2026 mentoring and training programmes.

Tickets are limited, booking open now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/future-foundation-launch-tickets-1452403581209?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday 29 July 2025, 12-2pm, Ormeau Baths.

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Future Foundation Mentoring: How It Works

Future Foundation will establish and manage a bank of experienced mentors who will be made available to those seeking help in the following areas:

 ·        Developing new approaches to working in Creative and cultural industries

·         Enhancing practical skills and getting advice on career advancement

·         Identifying or rethinking options of financing, and making successful applications

·         Acquiring new practical and technical skills for working in the creative industries

·         Using or adapting technology to market, promote and expand their product or service

Individuals wishing to have support from the Future Foundation mentoring bank will apply and once approved will be allocated a suitable mentor.

Each mentee will be eligible to:

• 3-5 sessions with a mentor

• Attend 2 training seminars

• Access workshops/ lectures

Mentor applications are now open!

Future Foundation is now seeking experienced professionals to join the mentoring bank. If you have five or more years’ experience in the Creative and Cultural Industries, and at least three years of mentoring experience, we want to hear from you.

Mentoring experience may include:

• Workplace mentoring of colleagues or junior staff

• Supporting individuals through arts, cultural or community organisations

• Mentoring in educational or career development contexts

Successful mentors will be required to:

• Complete a brief training course

• Provide 3–5 sessions per mentee between November and April

• Support up to a maximum of five mentees during the programme cycle

• Be reimbursed for their time

This is a unique opportunity to give back to the sector, support the growth of emerging talent, and help build a more sustainable and innovative creative economy in Northern Ireland.

To apply, please complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/214DDAR4Y2 .

If you require this form in another format or have any questions, contact Ciara at futurescreensni@qub.ac.uk. Please also let us know if there are any barriers limiting your ability to take part in this programme and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Mentee applications will open on 1 September 2025!

Mentee Eligibility

•  Must have one years’ experience within Creative and cultural industries

•  Not in full time education

• Primarily based in Northern Ireland

•  Interested in developing/ adapting new approaches and learning new skills

  Successful applicants will need support in one/ or more of the following areas:

•   Developing new approaches to working in Creative and cultural industries

•    Enhancing practical skills and getting advice on career advancement

•     Identifying and applying or rethinking options of financing

•    Acquiring new practical and technical skills for working in post-COVID-19 environments

•   Using or adapting technology to market, promote and expand their product or services

FREE ACCESS TO INSPIRE WELLBEING RESOURCES

To complement support from the Future Foundation team and our mentors, we are delighted to partner with Inspire to offer free access to the Wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

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