The title is intentionally direct, thought-provoking and gently disruptive.

Too often, an incurable cancer diagnosis changes the way other people see us.

Conversations can become dominated by illness, treatment or assumptions about what we can no longer do.

Not Dead Yet? challenges those assumptions by reminding people that life continues.

The question mark is important. It invites curiosity rather than certainty. It encourages conversation rather than making a statement.

It asks audiences to reflect on their own assumptions about illness, identity and what it means to live.

At its heart, the project celebrates the many lives that continue to be lived with creativity, purpose, humour, love and hope.

The current residency is open to artists and creatives aged 18 or over, working in any artistic discipline.

Applicants must either:

- be living with an incurable cancer diagnosis; or

- care for, or have cared for, someone living with an incurable cancer diagnosis.

Applicants must also have a clear connection to Dorset, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, either because they live or work there themselves, or because the loved one whose experience informs their application has that connection.

The project welcomes artists at every stage of their creative practice, from emerging practitioners to established professionals.

Art allows us to express experiences that are often difficult to communicate through words alone.

Living with incurable cancer can involve uncertainty, adaptation, joy, grief, humour, fear, resilience and countless other emotions that often exist simultaneously.

Creative practice provides space to explore these experiences honestly and imaginatively, creating opportunities for dialogue that can foster empathy, understanding and connection.

Rather than offering simple answers, art invites people to ask better questions.

Not Dead Yet? has grown from Dorset's vibrant creative community and is being developed through the Sanctuary 2026 Residency at Lighthouse Poole.

The county has a rich network of artists, cultural organisations, community groups and healthcare partners, making it an ideal place to begin building an ambitious collaborative project.

Although rooted in Dorset, the project's ambitions extend well beyond the county, with plans for regional touring, national partnerships and wider public engagement.

Medical advances mean more people are living for many years with incurable cancer than ever before.

Despite this, public understanding has not always kept pace.

Conversations often focus on treatment or dying, leaving little room to acknowledge the fullness of people's lives.

Not Dead Yet? seeks to broaden those conversations by recognising that people living with incurable cancer continue to create, contribute, work, care, advocate, love and imagine.

The project is not about defining people by illness; it is about recognising their humanity, creativity and continuing presence in the world.

The project is being developed through a combination of grant applications, public fundraising, partnerships and in-kind support.

The current crowdfunding campaign will help deliver the residency, remove barriers to participation and support the project's commitment to paying artists and creative collaborators fairly, subject to successful funding.

As the project grows, Not Dead Yet? will continue seeking support from trusts, foundations, public funders, sponsors and philanthropic partners to ensure its long-term sustainability.

The residency is the beginning of a much longer journey.

The first phase will culminate in a public exhibition at Lighthouse Poole, showcasing work created collaboratively by participating artists.

Beyond this, the project aims to:

- tour the exhibition regionally and nationally;

- commission new artistic collaborations;

- develop educational resources and public programmes;

- publish creative work, including poetry and other multidisciplinary outputs;

- build partnerships across the arts, health, education and research sectors;

- create opportunities for future artist residencies and commissions; and

- establish Not Dead Yet? as a sustainable Community Interest Company that continues supporting artists and communities for years to come.

There are many ways to get involved:

Apply to the current Open Call for artists if you are eligible 👉🏽

Support the crowdfunding campaign 👉🏽

Volunteer your skills or expertise, drop us a line 👉🏽

Apply to become a founding director 👉🏽

Follow Not Dead Yet? on social media, and share the project with your networks 👉🏽

Attend exhibitions, events and public programmes.

Introduce the project to potential partners, funders or collaborators.

Every conversation, donation, application and act of support helps build a stronger, more inclusive community around the project.