Social Experiment
A gathering for Live Art and contemporary performance.
Updated 12 June 2026
Social Experiment is a gathering at Contact for anyone interested in Live Art and contemporary performance to meet, chat, and try ideas out…
A free and informal, semi-regular evening event with the next on Thursday 19 November 2026 from 6pm to 9pm — with further 2027 dates TBA.
If you’re a Greater Manchester artist — this is your chance to test out a short performance, intervention, or durational work, in front of an informal audience.
If you’re an audience member looking for something a little bit different — this is your chance to take a few risks & meet some artists in our social experiment.
Past events were held in June, April, and February (Queer Contact Edition) 2026 — and November, July, June (Student Edition), May, and February 2025. See some images from 2026 and 2025.
Social Experiment Call for Proposals
Greater Manchester artists (aged 18+) are invited to submit proposals of: short performances, interventions, or durational works, for inclusion in these events. The priority is for GM artists, we will consider applications from other North West based artists but not from other regions.
For details & to apply please go to socialexperiment.posthaven.com
(Direct link to proposal form is here in case of issues with posthaven.)
Proposal Deadline: open on a rolling basis and closing 17 days before each event — November’s deadline is Mon 2 Nov at noon.
Social Experiment presented by Word of Warning + Contact; produced by hÅb; supported by Contact and using public funding by Arts Council England.
Enquiries: socex@habmcr.org · wordofwarning.org/socialexperiment