Now Play This first ran in 2015. We had half a dozen rooms of games and opened them for three days, testing out the idea of a festival that looked at game design in all its forms: videogames, board games, playful sculpture, interactive poetry, work by any artists with play at the heart of their practice.
Since then, the landscape of games has changed dramatically, and the role of playful arts in telling important stories has become accepted ever more widely. We strive to be at the forefront of this. We champion work that speaks to a range of audiences – game-makers, hobbyists, enthusiasts, artists, families and those interested in what can be done with the format – and that uses games carefully and considerately to explore the medium and also wider social and cultural questions.
Eight years on from our first festival, we are looking for a new director to lead the organisation and help us develop our direction for the future. In previous years, Now Play This has been directed by Holly Gramazio and v Buckenham (director and digital curator 2015-2019), Marie Foulston (guest director in 2020) and Sebastian Quack (director 2021-2023), all of whom remain involved as part of the Now Play This board.
We’re looking for someone who would be excited to build on the structure that Now Play This has grown into over the last eight years, and bring their own vision for the festival’s future. Someone who will collaborate with our existing production team led by Nick Murray and Jo Summers to work on the festival’s rhythm and format, devising themes, curating games and leading on commissions; and who will guide Now Play This into its next phase.
This is not a full time position, and can be adapted to suit individual needs – generally it has a first focused stage around September and October (making an initial festival plan and working with funders), and then again from January to April (working up to the festival itself). Please see the job description attached – or forward it to people who you think might be interested.
Since our inception, Now Play This has been home to hundreds of thousands of visitors, participants and fans, hundreds of games, dozens of commissions, so many amazing artists and collaborators. It’s been an exciting time. Let’s find out what’s next!
Click here for full job information and how to apply