Become a Voice Contributor

Become a Voice Contributor

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Being a Voice Contributor means that you get your work professionally edited, allowing you to build up a portfolio to show off. You also get access to press tickets and can help shape the magazine’s editorial direction. 

The Voice Contributor programme runs for three months working towards a paid commission at the end of the programme. During the programme, we will help you develop your tone of voice and offer tailored workshops on content creation style and the prospect of a career in the media. There will also be the opportunity to continue working for us if you choose to.  

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] with the subject line: Voice Contributor.


What's a Contributor

Voice is perfect if you want to post reviews about shows you attend, respond to the latest events in the world, blog about your passion for film, or post your own creative work for others to enjoy.

However, if you want to take it a step further, and are serious about considering a career in the media industry, then signing up to the Contributor programme is a great way of getting your foot in the door. You'll work with Voice editors to deliver the editoral agenda (and help influence it), and get your work professionally edited before it gets released into the world. You'll even get interview access with artists, press tickets and the chance for further paid commissions in the future.

Whether you want to create written, film, photography or audio work, we will help you to develop your ideas from conception to complete article, and include you in the editorial process. And if you’re doing Arts Award, your work will feature in our Arts Award on Voice area too!

Who Are You?

  • You’re passionate about the culture or media; perhaps you’re planning a creative career or hoping to become a journalist.
  • You’re over the age of 16 and likely to be under 25.
  • You’re keen to join a magazine team and know this means working to strict deadlines.
  • You have blogs and article ideas ready to pitch.
  • You're willing to stretch yourself and try new forms of content creation.
  • You're able to commit to the minimum three months of core training, but are open to working with us beyond that.
  • You’re interested in covering events in your area.
  • Maybe you’ve done an Arts Award, and you’re keen to share your tips with others.
  • We encourage people from all backgrounds and with all abilities to apply!

What Will You Get?

The big question. Why would you choose to write for Voice?

We believe that young people should get opportunities to do what they love, and luckily we’re in a position to make that happen.

We also want to provide brilliant content for our readers.

There are loads of great perks to being a Contributor!

  • Your content is featured on the website and our social media
  • Access to Voice’s editors, who will go through your work with you and edit it
  • Free entry to events you want to attend, and a chance to meet and interview artists
  • Invites to team meet-ups, and guest speakers
  • Experience working on a national team (great for your CV)
  • Access to our travel budget if you need to go further afield
  • The opportunity to influence our editorial focus throughout the year
  • The chance to work with a lovely group of young people you wouldn’t otherwise meet — and it’s a lot of fun


What will it involve?

We require full participation in the programme, which would see you writing two pieces of content per month although more is always welcome! You can discuss regular deadlines with Tom, meaning you always know when you’re due to write something. We do require timekeeping and the ability to work to deadlines. Regular 1:1’s with Tom and participation in the workshops are also mandatory. 

We are all about enabling and honing strong voices in the magazine, and we want to help you to develop yours. Bring us your opinions – whether it be on dance, music, policy, education, funding, video games, gender, or something completely new from the creative and culture sector.

Finally, and above all else, we require enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. We want people who are eager to take on board the advice we offer when editing, who will be willing to ask questions, pitch ideas and seek out further opportunities.

How To Apply?

Mostly, we want to see what ideas you have, and how you approach a brief.

If you are interested in applying, first we'd like you to post to Voice, covering one of the following topics:

  • Neurodiversity in the arts
  • Social equality 
  • Youth culture

We are leaving these intentionally broad to see what you are able to come up with. Your posts can be in any format: video, audio or written. Please note the following limitations:

  • No more than 600 words if written
  • No more than 5 minutes if audio/video

Once you've uploaded your piece, email our Voice Editor at [email protected] with the subject line: Voice Contributor and your submission and they'll be in touch regarding the next steps

If you have any questions or issues, drop an email to [email protected] 


Good to know

The Voice Contributor programme runs for three months, although we hope to work with you long beyond that as part of our wider Voice Collective. 

Image, Sunset Ceremony, Adelaide Fringe, by Claude Raschella

Voice is run by Upstart Projects a charity which supports young people to develop their skills and find pathways into the creative industries.