Social Experiment
A gathering for Live Art and contemporary performance.
→ artists · entry · access · apply · credits Updated 23 January 2026
Presented by Word of Warning + Contact as a semi-regular evening event.
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 February from 6pm to 9pm (a Queer Contact Edition) — followed by Thursdays 9 April and 11 June 2026.
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 during 2025 in February, May, June (Student Edition), July, and November — see some images.
Artists
19 February (Queer Contact Edition) — participating artists to be announced.
9 April — participating artists to be announced.
11 June — participating artists to be announced.
NB participating artists are announced about a week before each event — the call for proposals is open on a rolling basis at socialexperiment.posthaven.com
Entry
FREE: there’s no ticketing… just turn up!
Next Date: Thursday 19 February 2026 (Queer Contact Edition).
Following Dates: Thursdays 9 April and 11 June 2026.
Time: 6pm onwards (each event ends by about 9pm).
Location: Contact (space 0 & bar), Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA.
Access
Age Advisory: 16+ (aimed at adults, parent/guardian/carer discretion).
Content Warnings: some works may involve interaction and/or participation; specific warnings listed here about a week before each event.
Features: a small number of Live Art & contemporary performance works with varied content — to be confirmed about a week before each event.
NB works will occur on Contact’s step-free ground floor in space 0 & bar, and will vary in format — they could be immersive, participatory, roaming, seated, standing, spoken word, visual, etc.
Queries: please contact Contact via boxoffice@contactmcr.com
Apply
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 — February’s deadline is Mon 2 Feb at noon, April’s is Mon 23 Mar at noon, etc.
Credits
Social Experiment produced by hÅb; supported by Contact and using public funding by Arts Council England.