Rockpools Artist Commission Information

Comic Workshops – October 2026

INFORMATION UPDATED TO INCLUDE SESSION DATES

Introduction

This page provides information about the comic workshops that Rockpools wants to commission in Hartlepool in Autumn 2026. Below you will find information about:

• • Rockpools, our values and ways of working (‘About Rockpools’)

• • The creative work we want to commission (‘Commission: Comic Workshop’)

The information we need from anyone who wants to apply (‘Application Process’)

About Rockpools

Rockpools is a new creative programme providing more opportunities for everyone in Hartlepool to engage with arts, creativity, and culture. We prioritise co-creation, and we aim for every decision and commission to be shaped with our communities.

The name ‘Rockpools’ refers to the fact that each local community is unique, and we will work individually across every neighbourhood over the next three years. In 2026 we are focussing on the wards of Rural West (including Elwick and Dalton Piercy), Victoria and Seaton.

Rockpools is part of Creative People and Places, which is a national programme led and funded by Arts Council England.

Commission: Comic Workshop

This commission is for an artist who specialises in illustration, graphic novels or comic design to run three workshops aimed at young people in Hartlepool.

In direct response to feedback from a focus group of young people, the workshops are being commissioned to give young people aged 10-17, particularly those who may not usually engage in arts and culture, the opportunity to try a new creative activity. The young people have identified graphic novels and comics as an area of interest and would like to learn how to create their own.

There will be 3 individual stand-alone sessions, all suitable for young people:

• • One session will take place in partnership with IntoUniversity Hartlepool as part of their October half term holiday camp. The session will be 2 hours. It should be aspirational and also aim to give the young people an insight into what a career in the arts can look like. The majority of the session should be a workshop on comic making, but a small section of the workshop should also explain your journey as an artist (experience, training, career path, etc). Students will be aged 10-13 years old. This session will take place at on Tuesday 27th October.

• • The other two sessions will be open to the general public and should last 2 hours in length. They should be designed for beginners (aged 10-17, although exact ages to be agreed with the artist).  Sessions should be suitable for a minimum of 15 participants. Participants might attend one or both sessions, so content shouldn’t be repeated, but also shouldn’t rely on people attending both sessions. These sessions will take place at 11am – 1pm on Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th October.

Content for sessions

There is no set theme, but we particularly want to hear about:

• • clear ideas that are inviting and rewarding for people who don’t normally engage in creativity

• • workshops that are suitable for young adults aged 11 to 17, fully accessible and adaptable for a range of needs

• • ways you will draw on and showcase your existing skills and expertise

• • ideas that also help us to learn more about what people want next as part of Rockpools.

The aim of the sessions is to create (either individually or as a group) comics or graphic novels which can be displayed digitally and in print. In early 2027, we will hold a community exhibition, and we are interested in ideas which could contribute in a small way to this exhibition.

Location

Workshops will take place in accessible, community-facing venues in Hartlepool town centre.

Finance

This commission is for a total of £850.

This is the total amount and must cover all costs including time, artist fee, materials, travel and VAT (if applicable).

Artists will be required to send an invoice to Rockpools – so should be registered with HMRC as self-employed or via a registered company.

Marketing

You will need to provide content to support the marketing of the sessions, including a short artist biog and marketing images (and also, preferably, other content suitable for social media). We are keen to positively profile artists working in Hartlepool.

Evaluation

You will need to take part in evaluation, including a 45-minute informal conversation.

Who we want to work with

We are interested in working with artists and creative facilitators across all creative disciplines throughout the duration of the Rockpools programme.

For this commission, artists should specialise in comic or graphic novel illustration. They should be confident working with young people and should be able to demonstrate experience in this area.

Please note that preference will be given to artists based in Tees Valley.

We will commission one artist for this project.

The selected artist will need to be available to deliver sessions on Tuesday 27th October, and from 11am – 1pm on Wednesday 28th and Friday 29th October.

Application process

If you want to apply, please complete the Application Form and submit to info@rockpools.org by 10am, Monday 5 October 2026.