Abandon Normal Devices continues to produce an ambitious body of work with early and mid-career artists, through innovative collaboration with partners across a hugely diverse range of sectors and industries. If you’re interested in connecting with us, here are a few ways we can work together.
Programme Consultation & Curatorial Expertise
With almost 20 years of experience at the intersection of art, emerging tech and public programming behind us, AND advises on strategy, curation and creative direction for organisations looking to innovate their public programming and artist development initiatives. We specialise in connecting non-arts organisations with diverse, and high impact public programming, enabling greater artistic risk within an exciting, collaborative environment. Some of the partners we have been excited to work with: Arts Council England, British Council, Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), National Trust, Trust New Art, Cheshire East Council, Tatton Park, Jodrell Bank and University of Manchester, Making Ways, Canal and Rivers Trust, FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology).
Research, Innovation and Partnerships with Higher Education
AND works closely with Universities to host cross-sector knowledge exchange, lead on research-led commissions, and create artist and curatorial residency programmes. Our collaborations connect learning environments with experimental artistic practice, turning academic spaces into temporary creative playgrounds. Our Higher Education partnership work has recently included:
Lancaster University
In 2025 we partnered with Lancaster University to present a new performance lecture by BRiGHTBLACK as part of Cultivating Data Natures. Gardeners of the 5th Industrial Revolution has been commissioned as part of our Critical Acts programme strand – a platform for surveying emerging net and digital cultures through performance lectures.
School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University
In 2024 AND launched a two‑year curatorial collaboration with the School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University. Highlights include Critical Acts – a programme strand exploring digital culture and power through performance lectures, Deep Focus – an investigative film lab co-commised with CIJ & CAIR and Commons – a unique artist development programme explored through exhibitions, residencies and a public programme of talks, workshops and gatherings.
University of Salford
In 2019, AND hosted FREEPORT: Terminal MCR at University of Salford in MediaCityUK – an exhibition and talk series examining art, technology and citizenship as part of The New Networked Normal (NNN) European partnership. Works shown in FREEPORT: Terminal MCR were on display on the digital art distribution platform – nnn.freeport.global – built as an alternative space for the sharing and distribution of content to bring focus to the divergent parts of the internet to share and debate the value of art.
Production, Event Delivery and Touring Partnerships
From large-scale outdoor installations to hybrid digital programmes, we produce complex, experimental work that brings audiences, artists and ideas together both in person and online. Our touring work has reached audiences globally, touring to Europe, Asia, Australia and around the UK. These works allow our touring partners opportunities to provide unique routes into contemporary digital culture for their local audiences.
We want to hear from you if you’re interested in developing a partnership with us.
Contact us at hello@andfestival.org.uk to chat further.
Join the team
We occasionally have opportunities to join the AND team. These opportunities will be posted on our journal.
Images: WetLab at AND Festival 2021; Does Spring Hide Its Joy at AND Festival 2021; World within Worlds at Modal gallery; Sandbox at Modal gallery; The Hive; Cosmos at Bluedot.