Social Experiment
A new gathering for Live Art
and contemporary performance.
→ artists · entry · access · apply · credits Updated 29 May 2025
Presented by Word of Warning + Contact as a semi-regular evening event.
NEW: join us for a special Student Edition on Thursday 5 June from 6pm.
Social Experiment is a new 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 17 July from 6pm to 9pm. Subsequent is Thursday 27 November, with 2026 dates tba. Previous events were held on 6 February & 22 May, see some images.
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.
Artists
5 June: Student Edition — Amelia Grace · Dana Potter · GIN Niemtus · Isla Webster & Gabrielle Kaufman · Oscar Dickson · Will Oliver — read their programme notes. Participating artists subject to change.
22 May — Ben Hodge · Bitterroot · Joely Mae Greally & Jasmine Naila Burt · Julie Burrow · Lizzy Owen · Paper People Theatre · Secret Location Theatre Company — read their programme notes.
6 February — Harley Keasey · J. Edgar Staubsauger · Rachael Gooch · Ray Bubbles · special guests Malandra Jacks — read their programme notes.
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!
Student Edition: Thursday 5 June 2025, from 6pm to about 8.15pm.
Future Dates: Thursdays 17 July and 27 November 2025.
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.
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, closing a fortnight before each event — i.e. deadline for 17 July is 3 July, 5pm; deadline for 27 Nov is 13 Nov, 5pm.
Credits
Social Experiment produced by hÅb; supported by Contact and using public funding by Arts Council England.