Social Experiment

→ artists · entry · access · apply · credits  Updated 22 April 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 11 June from 6pm to 9pm — followed by Thursday 19 November 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 in April 2026, February 2026 (Queer Contact Edition), November 2025, July 2025, June 2025 (Student Edition), May 2025, and February 2025. See some images from 2026 and 2025.

Artists

11 June — special guest Nathan Birkinshaw · further participating artists TBA

9 April — Daniel Nicholas · Gin Niemtus · Kathy Rivett · Lisa Ford · Orla Collier · special guest Natalie Spanner — read their programme notes.

19 February (Queer Contact Edition) — Ariel Hebditch · Ben Hodge · Failed Artist Society · lucy · Maddie Maycock · PHOBIA · special guest Graham Clayton-Chance — read their programme notes.

NB participating artists announced about a fortnight before each event — our 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 11 June 2026.
Following Date: Thursday 19 November 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 — June’s deadline is Mon 25 May at noon, November’s is Mon 2 Nov at noon.

Credits

Social Experiment produced by hÅb; supported by Contact and using public funding by Arts Council England.

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