Algorithmic Pattern artist development course 2025

Open call for artists, designers, musicians, crafters, makers and other creative people

Patterns are ancestral technologies, evolving and adapting as they are shared across generations. Patterns are also a core part of contemporary creative technology. Our Algorithmic Pattern course will bring together different kinds of pattern-based arts through a program of creative and artistic development. This will include sessions on movement, video art, modular origami, and musical rhythm, combining hands-on activity with the use of creative coding and live coding tools to help explore these heritage practices, and help you look for new ways to develop your own creative practice.

We are keen to bring together a diverse group of people and practices, prioritising those underrepresented in creative technology, so if you are unsure whether you would fit in, please do apply!

Please note that although artificial intelligence is a current trend, it will not form part of our course. Instead, we will explore patterns hands-on, as procedural ways of making. This will sometimes involve exploratory work with computer code, but you will not need any prior experience with coding. Whether or not you have experience in any of the pattern-based practices we explore, you will hopefully find new inspiration by exploring them together in a supportive environment.

The course:

The course will run on 6 Saturdays, from 18th January to 22nd February, in central Sheffield UK. Sessions will start at 10am and end at 5pm; we will provide a simple vegetarian lunch.

What you will give:

  • Commitment to attend the course in full, as far as possible (we realise that outside life may intervene!)
  • Honest feedback at the end of the course

What you will receive:

  • Four course sessions lead by a range of leading practitioners, with all materials provided
  • Two additional sessions for working, sharing, peer learning and feedback
  • Extra informal meetups, during and beyond the course
  • The opportunity to share your work at a public showcase after the course (date TBD)
  • Hopefully a new direction in your creative practice!

Who can apply?

There are no upper or lower limits on experience – we are keen to bring together a diverse range of people. However the course will be in-person so you should be based in Sheffield or the surrounding area. The course is designed for adults, so you should be 18 or older.

Timeline

Application process

  • Applications open: 28th October
  • Application deadline: 9pm, 18th November
  • Notification of decision: by 16th December

Course

  • 6 Saturdays, 10pm-5pm, from 18th January – 22nd February 2025 inclusive 

Timetable (may be subject to change):

  • 18th Jan – Intro + Konnakol + live coding (with Strudel) – led by Alex McLean
  • 25th Jan – Movement – led by Rosamaria K Cisneros
  • 1st Feb – Open space to work, share work and receive feedback
  • 8th Feb – Origami – Led by Seiko Kinoshita
  • 15th Feb – Video patterns (with Hydra) – Led by Antonio Roberts
  • 22nd Feb – Final work sharing and feedback session

We’ll also do a final showcase with a public audience after the course, date TBD.

Code of conduct

We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. This applies both in person or via online media. 

Please read our code of conduct in full here:

Access information:

  • All venues will have step-free access
  • We have a small budget to support access costs, for those who need it. We cannot guarantee to meet all costs, but will try our best.

How to apply:

TBC

How we will select:

TBC

Who are we?

The Algorithmic Pattern artist development course is an initiative by Pattern Club Sheffield in collaboration with Then Try This. The course is free to participants, thanks to funds by UK Research and Innovation with the support of the Future Leaders Fellowship network.
If you have any questions, please contact us here: https://patternclub.org/sheffield-contact/