Polka’s Catapult Programme consists of two seed funding strands, which are designed to platform underrepresented Artists and to help bring brand new ideas and concepts to life. Both programmes are open to Artists at any stage of their career, and from any creative discipline.
The TYA sector is currently significantly underrepresented with work from artists from the Global Majority, who identify as disabled, LGBTQ+, or who come from a lower socio-economic background. There is also a real need to identify brand new stories for children – those not adapted from books, tv shows or films or western fairy tales. We are looking for artists who can address these gaps, with the very best innovative new ideas for children’s theatre.
First Steps: For brand new ideas for audiences of 0-6 years
Next Steps: For taking that first draft or second R&D to the next stage for audiences of 0-12 years
Both strands offer mentoring, training, free rehearsal space, scratch performance opportunities and tickets to Polka productions.
The Black Artists Grant (BAG) offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help Black artists. They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses.
This grant has been set up because Black artists are systematically under-supported by the art world; by institutions, curators, the artist-led scene, major and minor funding bodies, the market, art schools, and by audiences too.
Creative Debuts recognises that a full institutional overhaul and dismantling of racist structures is required to transform the industry permanently, but they hope in a small way that this grant will help enable recipients to continue their artistic practice when the odds are so stacked against them
There is no deadline as this is a monthly rolling grant, no age limit, and the grant does not expect any outcomes or reporting. Please only apply once, if you apply in February for example, you are still eligible for selection in a different month, all applications are kept and reviewed.
Financing your studies may seem daunting at first, but help is at hand. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will provide all the support you need to take control of your finances.
For fees purposes, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School classifies students as UK or International. Your residency classification determines the amount you pay in tuition fees as well as the financial support available to help towards tuition fee costs and living expenses.
We believe that talent and potential should be the only requirements for entry, and that a person’s circumstances should never prevent them from embarking on a successful career in theatre. Every year, Mountview awards a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students with the costs of study.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of talent, potential and financial need and designed to ensure that cost is not a barrier to study. Mountview’s scholarships are generously provided by a variety of supporters including the Leverhulme Trust, The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Elaine Paige OBE, Crossroads Live Ltd, The Champniss Foundation, The Christina Smith Foundation, Jamie Lonsdale and many more.
The School is deeply committed to equality of opportunity and students are admitted solely on the basis of merit. In light of this, the School does its best to ensure that no student offered a place is prevented from enrolling on the grounds of financial hardship.
The School offers a wide range of scholarships to students regardless of domicile. These scholarships are supported by a variety of generous donors including City Livery companies, grant-making trusts and foundations, businesses and individuals.
A scholarship award may be made to cover either the full or partial costs of tuition fees, and may also include support for maintenance costs. Awards are made to individuals on the basis of their talent, potential and personal financial need. The School allocates in excess of £2million per annum to such eligible students.
The Wayne Sleep Foundation Awards are medium to large sized grants given to individuals who have obtained a place at a higher education Arts Institution, and are specifically to be put toward accommodation and living costs.
In previous years, the Foundation has supported students who have gained places at: Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, Central School of Speech and Drama, Dance for All, Elmhust School for Dance, Hammond School, Laine Theatre Arts, London Studio Centre, Northern Ballet School, Rambert School, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Ballet School, Royal College of Music.
The Foundation has also supported organisations and projects, including those organised by: Central School of Ballet, Circus Arts, British Ballet Organisation, Dance Forward Summer and Easter Schools, Dance Northern Ireland, Dance Teachers’ Benevolent Fund, English National Ballet School, Fertile Ground, Liverpool Theatre School, National Ballet of Cuba, One Dance UK, Peter Darrell Trust, Rambert School, Royal Academy of Dance, Urbana Academy, and Yorkshire Ballet Seminars.
Are you creative, living in Scotland and aged 8-30? Apply now for up to £500 for your creative activity or project.
Creative Scotland are working with Moniack Mhor to offer funding to support and encourage creative projects and activities by young people aged 8-30 in Scotland who may have experience of isolation or marginalisation.
Creativity takes all shapes and forms, so whether you are a writer, knitter, musician, graphic artist, street artist, dancer, photographer, film maker or potter – basically anything at all as long as it is creative – we would love to hear from you and help to support your work
Applications are open now until 18th November. They are assessed once a month by a steering group of young people who also have experience of isolation and marginalisation, so you can apply any time.
Individuals can apply for up to £500. Groups can apply for £500 per person, up to a maximum of £2000
The Production Services Association (PSA) is thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative launching in January 2025: the PSA Training Bursary Scheme, developed in collaboration with Precision Broking Ltd and AXA Insurance.
The training bursary scheme comes in part as a response to some of the ongoing challenges the live industry faces, which were highlighted in a member survey earlier this year. Skills shortage is currently a key issue for the industry, and the top request from members was to be able to access more training opportunities.
This scheme aims to support PSA members by covering some of the costs associated with essential training programmes tailored to the production and live events industry. A total of £25,000 has been allocated to the fund for 2025, and applicants can request funding for up to 25% of the course cost, with a maximum claim amounting to £250.
"The PSA acknowledge the importance of professional development and encourages applications for courses that complement the roles and competencies of our members." Liz Madden, PSA Co-chair said: “This could include comprehensive training in key technical areas like lighting, sound, rigging, AV, special effects, stage automation, and other vital systems that support the smooth operation of live events and the production services sector. It could also include nationally recognised training for improving physical or mental health in the UK, supporting your overall well-being in a high-stress industry, or accredited safety training offered by reputable industry bodies to ensure you are fully equipped with the newest safety protocols and practices."
Tom Rees, Co-chair, added; “This scheme would not be possible without the generosity of our donors. Our goal is to help our members enhance their skills, broaden their professional network, and uplift the overall standards within our industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for members to invest in their future, cultivate their expertise, and elevate their careers in the dynamic world of production and live events!”
Applications open on 6 January 2025 through a straightforward application form on PSA's website, making it easy to access and take advantage of these training opportunities.
A professional development programme for early career dance and music artists. A programme of networking, intensive weekends, mentoring and access to studio space.
Thrive 2024, offered by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, is a professional development initiative designed for independent dance and music professionals. Tailored to the needs of early-career artists, this programme aims to cultivate a fresh network of peers, equip participants with essential skills for sustaining their artistic careers, and foster an entrepreneurial mindset through a series of workshops, discussions, mentorship, and training sessions.
Over the course of four intensive weekends at the Trinity Laban campuses in South East London, attendees will engage in a variety of sessions covering topics such as self-sustainability in the arts (including managing a diverse career portfolio, enhancing social media and marketing skills, navigating arts funding, and mastering financial management including tax and contracts), as well as specialised workshops focusing on technique and skill enhancement within their respective art forms.
Networking opportunities, with guest speakers and facilitators providing platforms for creative exchange, skill sharing, and personal and professional growth. Additionally, participants will benefit from mentoring and Action Learning Sets, receiving three hours of personalised guidance from seasoned professionals either online or in person throughout the programme.
Access to studio space for research and rehearsals during the summer months will be provided, with potential avenues to showcase created works to the rest of the cohort.
National Lottery Project Grants supports thousands of individual artists, community and cultural organisations. Until 31 August 2021, the fund will focus on the needs of smaller independent organisations and individual practitioners.
Funding activity: Arts, museums and libraries projects
Key dates: National Lottery Project Grants is open all the time, there are no deadlines.
