Category: Call Outs and Commissions

Boost! Touring Lab

Applause are pleased to launch Boost! , a free, two-day residential training and development Lab.

The purpose of this Lab is to upskill and prepare artists and choreographers/devisers working in contemporary dance, krump, hip hop, kathak, bharatanatyam – or contemporary circus who are interested in extending their work to outdoors or developing their understanding of the outdoor touring sector. This Lab forms part of Applause’s ongoing commitment to support global majority led performance and broaden the range of work currently on offer for small-scale touring environments.

The two and a half day Lab will include a varied programme of workshops, seminars and creative tasks in order to expand participants’ development and thinking in different contexts. It will feature contributions from sector organisations as well as practical performance workshops from theatre, dance and circus companies successfully making work for these contexts.

Priority will be given to artists from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds who are working in the Creative Estuary region of North Kent and South Essex. However, Applause would also like to hear from underrepresented artists who may be working outside the CE region but are based in the Southeast.

Boost! is an Applause and Creative Estuary Co-commission in collaboration with 101 Creation Space and Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch.

Applause is an ACE funded National Portfolio Organisation based in Kent that has developed a highly successful outdoor touring scheme for rural locations and semi-urban communities. Each year they support artists to create and tour small scale shows across their network of volunteer hosts and festival promoters in Kent, East and West Sussex, Essex and the wider region.

Details of Lab: Mon 12 – Wed 14 September

The Lab will be fully catered with two nights’ accommodation at a local hotel in Hornchurch. We have ten places available in single occupancy rooms. We would also welcome applications from local artists who are able to attend without an accommodation requirement.

Click this link for more information and to apply.

H.A.N.D.S Company/Artist Call Out – Rural Touring North of England

Are you a company that has an existing performance piece that you are interested in adapting for a range of venues and space options but need advice?

Do you work across the North of England or are you interested in rural touring to venues across Cumbria, Lancashire, East and North Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, County Durham and Cheshire?

Have you considered rural touring as an option?

The Northern Consortium of Rural Touring Schemes is opening a call out for four professional companies from any performing arts context to be part of our project H.A.N.D.S Programme supported by the rural touring schemes ArtERY Live, Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, Highlights Rural Touring, Live Lincs, Rural Arts and Spot On and funded through Arts Council England in 2022.

H.A.N.D.S (Helping, artists, needs, develop, sustainably) is an 18-month mentoring programme working with 8 diverse-led emerging small-scale touring companies. The activity builds on a Pitching & Mentoring initiative across 6 rural touring schemes that ended in 2020.

The programme aims to support companies to:

  • Build a sustainable and resilient touring model
  • Develop new work for community venues and libraries
  • Develop innovative and flexible approaches to presenting work
  • Enhance artistic practice and produce high quality and adventurous work
  • Support artists to adapt work for live and online settings

This is achieved through:

  • Allocation of a specific RTS mentor for each company
  • Workshops and 1-2-1 sessions with industry mentors and experienced rural touring artists/companies
  • Commissioning online resources
  • Training in pitching and mentoring, marketing, bid writing and audience engagement
  • Training in covid 19 compliance (if necessary/relevant)
  • Artist residencies in rural venues
  • Provide experience of showcasing work to RT promoters – NRTF conference (Buxton 13-15 Jun 22)

How to apply

If you are keen to take part in H.A.N.D.S in the period March – November 2022 then please apply to be considered. Funds are available to support the above listed aspects and include costs covered for mentoring meetings, online pitching workshops, mentoring on any aspect of rural touring or adaption of your work (dramaturg, scenery adapter, marketing support, small scale touring planning and funding etc) your time and a place at the NRTF Conference in June.

Previous H.A.N.D.S programme companies have gone on to book dates/tours with rural touring schemes and small venues including through the Northern Consortium of Rural Touring Schemes in the North of England. The skills and mentoring offered allows for relationship building with promoters, scheme managers, programmers and bookers across the North of England and across the UK.

Open Call – submission deadline Tuesday 15 March 10pm.

Selection Process Companies are considered by a panel of Rural Touring Scheme Managers and the H.A.N.D.S coordinator and will be confirmed by not later than 31 March 2022.

To apply please email the coordinator at handscallout@gmail.com for full application details.

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Spot On Lancashire & Culturapedia: Seeking Creative Partners

Introduction and one-to-one conversations with artists

Culturapedia work with artists and the people of Lancashire to bring fantastic opportunities for cultural engagement to the county. Would you like to be one of those artists in the next couple of years?

Culturapedia has emerged from the Covid 19 pandemic stronger and more ambitious than ever to make a positive change to the lives of people in Lancashire. We can only do this if we work with the best performers, writers and artists available – no matter where you may be in the country.

We are running a ‘getting to know you’ session. Like everyone, we have missed those usual networking opportunities to meet new people, share ideas, and see new work over the last two years. This is a chance to start conversations as we head into a new phase. We want to expand our address book and meet new creatives. We also want to find out what our old friends are up to.   

We invite you to an online presentation about our projects and plans on Thursday 3 February at 2pm or 7pm. This will be followed by a chance of a 20 minute one-to-one with one of our team on Monday 7th February. We’re dying to meet you. 

Our project and plans currently include:

  • The return of Spot On library and rural touring bringing superb professional performing arts direct to communities across Lancashire
  • Performances suitable for Burnley Front Room – part of our partnership with Burnley Mechanics
  • A season of small scale outdoor performances across Lancashire in the Summer 
  • Makers and artists to feature in our award-winning At Home Newspaper
  • Opportunities leading up to and including the first-ever Burnley Words Festival in March 2023
  • A new outdoor theatre commission for Spot On and Burnley Words Festival
  • A third and fourth digital art commission, curated by young librarians, to add to our small but growing digital gallery
  • More low-cost-capture digital shorts – ten-minute audiovisual adventures

The presentations will be live on Zoom. We will record and caption one of the presentations. Please let us know if you have any access needs that we can address.

You can book to attend one of the presentations and a 20 minute one-to-one with a member of the team here.

You will not receive an automatic confirmation. We will email a link to the presentation and your one-to-one by Tuesday, 1st February.

Please note that attending a session does not guarantee any work or employment with Culturapedia and its associated projects. 

Applause Call Out for Artists – Autumn 22 – Spring 23 Season

Applause has opened for applications their Autumn 22 – Spring 23 season touring programme.

Their Autumn – Spring season mainly programmes to village halls and community centres across Kent and Sussex. They work with brilliant performing companies and a network of local volunteer promoters to offer the very best of touring theatre, music, storytelling, puppetry and children’s shows, giving audiences direct access to live performance on their rural doorstep.

Want to take part?

If you are a company / artist with a ready-made show that is technically adaptable and ideally self-contained. If you’re able to be flexible and work in a wide variety of spaces then take a look at the requirements in the link below and then submit your application.

For 2022 they are also looking for seasonal outdoor shows that can bring some festive flair to local events.

Applause programme a range of exciting and inspiring shows including adaptations of classic drama, delightful puppetry for families, humorous storytelling, new writing, imaginative adaptations of much loved children’s books, contemporary dance and a range of music for all tastes from classical, folk and jazz to Latin rumbas, Cajun and country. The emphasis is on quality, because the promoters and venues work hard to make these performances happen, so they deserve it.

If you’re interested in rural touring and can meet the requirements Applause would love to hear from you.

Click here to view further information

Deadline – end of day Friday 11th March

Recruiting NOW for the Pentabus Young Writers Groups

Pentabus Theatre Company’s ground-breaking Young Writers Group offers two free playwrighting programmes for young people aged 16-30 from rural areas. Participants will write a short play for a professional production. The National and Local groups both begin in January 2022, so no matter where you’re based, you can take part.

Each course offers a series of workshops, leading up to a professional production of work in the summer. The Young Writers will decide the subject of their play and work through different drafts with in-depth support and feedback from professional playwrights, actors, directors and designers.

Pentabus Artistic Director Elle While said: ‘I can’t wait to be inspired by the voices of the next generation of Pentabus’ Young Writers who will be participating in our Local and National playwriting courses. Invigorating and dynamic new writing is at the heart of our organisation and bringing the Young Writers’ work to life in professional productions is one of the highlights of the Pentabus Programme.’

The Local Group will be run through a combination of online evening sessions and in-person weekend sessions in Hereford. The course tutors are Florence Espeut-Nickless (Pentabus Writer in Residence) and Ant Stones (Associate Playwright for Guildford Shakespeare Company). The National Group will be take place via a series of online evening session, run by Tom Powell (Pentabus Writer in Residence 2020), alongside Ant Stones. 

No previous experience of playwrighting is necessary. This programme is aimed at young people who may not even know they’re writers yet.

Former Young Writer Ruth Cowell said: “It’s been the push I needed to stop waiting for permission to consider myself an artist or a writer. Having the support of Pentabus has really changed how I view my place in the industry and given me the self-confidence to make my own work and opportunities.”

Contact youngcompany@pentabus.co.uk to register your interest or for more information.

Digital Resources

www.pentabus.co.uk 

Twitter: @pentabustheatre | Facebook: www.facebook.com/pentabustheatre  Instagram : pentabustheatrecompany   YouTube: www.youtube.com/pentabustheatre

Live Literature Artist Call Out

INN CROWD is looking for ready-to-go live literature shows to offer to rural pubs from January 2022!

If you have a ready-made show that can be performed in small or unusual spaces, requires little or no tech to run, and you’re able to be flexible about working in pub environments, we’d love to see an application from you.

We are looking for exceptional, exciting, Live Literature shows that are adaptable to the needs of small, rural pubs that are often inexperienced at holding performances. The emphasis is on quality and fun because the promoters and venues work hard to make these performances happen, so they deserve it, as do their audiences.

Deadline – 14th December 12:00 

Click here for more information and how to apply

Applause Call Out For Artists

Applause is pleased to announce that our 2022 Outdoor season commission programme is now open.

If you are a company / artist with an established interest and track record of working outdoors and interactively this could be the opportunity for you.

Applause Rural Touring works with artists and communities to bring exceptional arts to familiar local spaces. Every year Applause commissions new shows to tour alongside some returning favourites. These shows are developed especially for outdoor events and offers these professional, exciting and unique performances to a range of promoters including small village fetes and community events, as well as larger established events and festivals.

Want to take part?

Your work will entertain and engage a diverse audience, be self-sufficient (i.e. not require technical or other support / involvement by the host organisation) and be able to be accessed by all. Performances can be walk about, static productions (of no more than 25 minutes in length), installations or interactive events and are intended to suit a range of time frames and to slot into existing activities. You will be expected to perform up to three times in a day.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals or companies, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, social background, religion and/or belief.

Commissions and Reshape/Development Awards

To tour alongside our previously commissioned work, we are looking to support up to 6 new shows to be created for touring in 2022.

All ideas are welcome, including but not limited to work that responds to key cultural events that are happening in 2022 (i.e. Platinum Jubilee, Commonwealth Games) and work that includes community engagement in the development process.

Click here to download the full brief including fees

Deadline – end of day Friday 8th October

Lyrici Arts and the Collaborative Touring Network – Artist Call Out

Lyrici Arts are a part of the Collaborative Touring Network (CTN), which is a collective of 8 organisations nationally who believe every town deserves life-affirming, soul-shaking, perspective-changing shows. We have been working with artists and our communities since 2016, to make this possible in our places, which are; Wigan, Gloucester, Hull, Torbay, Thanet, Peterborough, Medway and Wandsworth. 

In the next year, we want to work with an artist/company to develop and tour a live show with communities in our 8 places. Expression of Interest applications are now open, and you can find all the information here: www.ctn.org.uk 

We want to work with artists who have stories that often go unheard, whose practice will include our communities, and who are up for their shows being performed in non-typical spaces, like car parks, rooftops, community centres.  If you know of artists who you think would be excited to work in this way with us, it would be amazing if you could share this info with them. 

The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 5 July at 10am. This EOI stage will be followed by 2 additional stages of application, with the final decision to be made collaboratively by the network by August 30. 

You can watch a recording of an information session for Artists here: https://youtu.be/shdLc6y5dKg

Do feel free to get in touch with Lyrici Arts Artistic Director, Keely Augustus keely@lyriciarts.com, or with the CTN project director Rosie Scudder (rosies@theoldcourts.com) if you would like to chat about this.

Creative Arts East: Plugged In – Existing Work Call Out

A New Digital / Live Hybrid Engagement Project for Rural Audiences 

There is a video reading of this call-out with subtitles on both the Creative Arts East YouTube channel and on the Plugged In page on our website. 

What is Plugged In?

Plugged In is a new project run by arts and community development charity Creative Arts East. The project will work specifically with artists who feel that their voice and story may be under-represented amongst rural audiences, to create a range of digital and/or live performance work along with connected community engagement activities. The project’s aims are:

  • To support performance artists with protected characteristics to have greater understanding of, and access to, rural audience demographics and distribution opportunities.
  • To upgrade and diversify the portfolio of work available for the rural creative circuit and its audiences. 
  • To engage new audiences in the digital world.
  • To broaden the cultural ambitions and horizons of existing rural audiences.

To find out more about the wider work of Creative Arts East, visit www.creativeartseast.co.uk. 

What Are We Looking For?

3 existing/adaptable works with accompanying engagement work – from any artists with protected characteristics.

Performances

Work should be appropriate for digital, live viewing, or a combination of both! With the pandemic changing the way that audiences consume art and creativity, we want to work with artists who can think outside the box and understand the need for flexibility in the current climate.  We are not specifically seeking recordings of full existing performances for online viewing.  Episodic work, short digital performances or live streams are more likely to be successful.

Engagement with Communities

As well as completed pieces of work, a big part of this project will be inclusive creative engagement activities that can run in conjunction with your work. We would like you to think about any additional enhancement activities you could offer to build intrigue and engagement in both your performance and the project. This activity could be in-person or digital workshops, creative activities, behind-the-scenes, Q&As, postal packs, whatever fits with both the project aims and your work.  We want the project to feel as much of a shared experience between audience and performer as possible.

Work that will be considered

  • Work that already exists but would be re-worked specifically for this project.
  • Work that already exists but will have new engagement activities developed.
  • Work that is in development and can be aligned to the outcomes of this project.
  • These funds cannot be used to extend the reach of a pre-existing piece of work that is already freely available to the public.

Who Can Apply?

This project is specifically for performance artists (theatre makers, poets, writers, dancers, musicians etc) – both collective and individual – who consider themselves to have characteristics protected by the 2010 Equality Act. Following an audit of our existing and previous portfolio of work, our focus for the next few years is on diversifying our work within the following protected characteristic areas: Disability, Race, and Sexual Orientation. 

We wholeheartedly welcome and anticipate applications from any artist who feels that their voice and story may be under-represented amongst rural audiences to apply with existing work. This includes artists from all backgrounds, particularly those of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, artists identifying as LGBTQIA+ and artists who have a disability or other protected characteristics. Artists must be over the age of 18 and based in the UK.

Key Information

Number of shows: We will be selecting 3 pieces of work that already exist. We also have 2 commissions available as part of the project – details can be found on our website.

Timeline: Activity will take place between September 2021 – January 2022.

Budget: The total fee (including VAT) is £1100 per show (this needs to include the engagement activities).

Access funds: Additional funds are available for any access assistance that participating artists may require during their work for the project.

Accessibility for audiences: Funds are also available for the incorporation of BSL, captioning or any other access support features for work produced through the project that may not already have these incorporated.

We will also be offering further training and development opportunities as part of the project, including Rural Touring surgeries for newcomers to the circuit.

If you have any questions about applying for Plugged In, or would like this submission brief in another format, please get in touch with Karen Jeremiah via karen@creativeartseast.co.uk.

We are also offering short 30 minute advice surgeries on the following dates: 21st, 24th and 29th June – you can book your slot here.

Deadline for Submissions: Friday 9th July 2021

How to Apply

Applications can be made via an online form here.

Alternatively, you can submit a video application of up to 8 minutes. This should be sent as a link to karen@creativeartseast.co.uk.

Video Submissions

If you are submitting a video, please ensure you cover the following in your application:

  • Your name, company name and title of work
  • About the show – please try to include the following:
  • Themes
  • Art form
  • Target audience
  • Audience experience
  • Delivery format
  • Duration
  • Details of the engagement activity
  • Costs and rough breakdown for show / activities
  • Provide any additional links to videos, website, reviews – please include these in the accompanying email.

We aim to respond to all applicants by 26th July.

Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, we may not be able to give individual feedback.

Creative Arts East: Plugged In – Commission Opportunity

A New Digital / Live Hybrid Engagement Project for Rural Audiences 

There is a video reading of this call-out with subtitles on both the Creative Arts East YouTube channel and on the Plugged In page on our website.

What is Plugged In?

Plugged In is a new project run by arts and community development charity Creative Arts East. The project will work specifically with artists who feel that their voice and story may be under-represented amongst rural audiences, to create a range of digital and/or live performance work along with connected community engagement activities. The project’s aims are:

  • To support performance artists with protected characteristics to have greater understanding of, and access to, rural audience demographics and distribution opportunities.
  • To upgrade and diversify the portfolio of work available for the rural creative circuit and its audiences. 
  • To engage new audiences in the digital world.
  • To broaden the cultural ambitions and horizons of existing rural audiences.

To find out more about the wider work of Creative Arts East, visit www.creativeartseast.co.uk. 

Who Can Apply?

These commissions are open to artists who self-identify as Disabled, and our approach is informed by the social model of Disability with an understanding of intersectionality. We strongly encourage applications from women and non-binary people, Black people and people of colour, and people from working-class or lower income backgrounds. Artists must be over the age of 18 and based in the UK. 

What Are We Looking For?

Performances

Work should be appropriate for digital, live viewing, or a combination of both! With the pandemic changing the way that audiences consume art and creativity, we want to work with artists who can think outside the box and understand the need for flexibility in the current climate.  We are not seeking recordings of full existing performances for online viewing.  Episodic work, short digital performances or live streams are more likely to be successful.

Engagement with Communities

As well as completed pieces of work, a big part of this project will be inclusive creative engagement activities that can run in conjunction with your work. We would like you to think about any additional enhancement activities you could offer to build intrigue and engagement in both your performance and the project. This activity could be in-person or digital workshops, creative activities, behind-the-scenes, Q&As, postal packs, whatever fits with both the project aims and your work.  We want the project to feel as much of a shared experience between audience and performer as possible.

Work that will be considered

  • A brand-new piece of work created specifically for this project.
  • Work that already exists but would be re-worked specifically for this project.
  • Work that is in development and can be aligned to the outcomes of this project.
  • These funds cannot be used to extend the reach of a pre-existing piece of work that is already freely available to the public.

Creative Arts East will act as Executive Producers in the development of your work, pairing you with local groups and communities, helping you develop your work and shape it to suit the audiences we currently serve. This can include a remote or real residency in a rural community venue.

Key Information

Number of commissions available: We have 2 commissions available as part of this project. However, we do also have a separate callout for 3 pieces of work that already exist, details of which can be found on our website.

Timeline: Activity will take place between September 2021 – January 2022.

Budget: The total fee (including VAT) is £3000 per commission (we have additional funds to cover any costs incurred with the residency element)

We can fund 100% of the work. If you do have or need additional funding for this project, we expect to be the main funder, meaning you should not require more than £3000 from other sources. 

If your project is dependent on additional funding from other parties, you should explain this in your application and indicate whether this funding is confirmed or not.

Access funds: Additional funds are available for any access assistance that participating artists may require during their work for the project.

Accessibility for audiences: Funds are also available for the incorporation of BSL, captioning or any other access support features for work produced through the project that may not already have these incorporated.

We will also be offering further training and development opportunities as part of the project, including Rural Touring surgeries for newcomers to the circuit and a bespoke CPD budget for commissioned artists.

If you have any questions about applying for Plugged In, or would like this submission brief in another format, please get in touch with Karen Jeremiah via karen@creativeartseast.co.uk. 

We are also offering short 30 minute advice surgeries on the following dates: 21st, 24th and 29th June – you can book your slot here.

Deadline for Submissions: Friday 9th July 2021

How to Apply

Applications can be made via an online form here.

Alternatively, you can submit a video application of up to 8 minutes. This should be sent as a link to karen@creativeartseast.co.uk.

Video Submissions

If you are submitting a video, please ensure you cover the following in your application:

  • Your name, company name and title of work
  • About the show – please try to include the following:
  • Themes
  • Art form
  • Target audience
  • Audience experience
  • Delivery format
  • Duration
  • Details of the engagement activity
  • Costs and rough breakdown for show / activities
  • Provide any additional links to videos, website, reviews – please include these in the accompanying email.

We aim to respond to all applicants by 26th July.

Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, we may not be able to give individual feedback.