For over 20 years, Westacre Theatre's esteemed Bursary Scheme has offered around 8-10 privately funded, residential placements per year for performing arts undergraduates, graduates & early-career artists, giving them the chance to gain hands-on experience in a professional, rural theatre, working on multiple productions, receiving mentoring, and developing their skills. “The scheme is an ideal opportunity for emerging actors to bridge the gap between training and the profession. For me, its key strength is providing professional experience that leaves recipients much better equipped to step into a professional career.” (Actor Nigel Hastings - Patron)
Westacre Theatre is an independent, rural, theatre and arts centre based in the village of West Acre, Norfolk. Housed in a converted historic chapel, and with an expansive outdoor auditorium for the summer months, we are known for championing, emerging artists and innovative performance, while also serving our local community. The theatre provides a platform for professional productions, artist development, workshops and residencies, with a strong focus on accessibility, participation and nurturing creative talent. Patrons: Sir Stephen Fry, Sir Anthony Gormley & Nigel Hastings.
We audition and interview bursary candidates to join our highly respected theatre company on 2/3 full-scale productions, which take place during our outdoor summer season. These productions run either consecutively or in repertory. Successful applicants will also gain hands-on experience helping to deliver young people’s workshops, hosting musical events, taking part in front-of-house duties and all the other essential “roll your sleeves up” jobs that keep the theatre running smoothly. Whilst bursary recipients benefit hugely from the guidance of our directors, musicians, technical experts and extended team, all with extensive professional experience and industry expertise, we place huge value on the fresh perspectives and creative energy brought by new and emerging artists. It’s a fully immersive opportunity to develop skills, work as part of a professional team, and experience every aspect of theatre life.
The Westacre Summer Bursary has long been a powerful springboard for emerging actors, musicians, dancers and technicians. Many former bursary students have gone on to successful careers across theatre, musical theatre, film and the wider creative industries, often citing their time at Westacre as a defining early experience. 2026 Summer Season will be announced ASAP – watch this space but expect high energy colourful versions of well-known classic pieces, told with an effusion of music, and always a quirky twist… Bursary Awards are designed to cover your expenses and are paid weekly. Placements take place from Mid-July to the August Bank Holiday weekend. Accommodation is included where needed. Auditions are in person and will take place on Saturday 18th April.
For any questions contact sadie@westacretheatre.com Please note: because this form asks for a file upload (headshots), you will need to sign in with a Google account to submit your response. 2026 Applications are open NOW
Westminster City Council is pleased to launch its Inside Out grants programme in advance of August 2026, when our popular monthly long outdoor celebration of arts and culture, delivered with partners, will return. This free and inclusive festival brings the city’s world-renowned arts, entertainment and culture into the streets and open spaces of Westminster for all to enjoy. The programme showcases live performances, cultural walking tours, outdoor exhibitions, intergenerational workshops, sculpture trails, installations and a range of other pop-up activities, all in accessible outdoor locations.
We retained a spotlight on West End this year, while also ensuring the festival reached across the borough to reach more of our communities. You can explore information about all the 2025 programme events here. Our extraordinary cultural institutions and community organisations are, of course, at the heart of Inside Out’s success. To encourage participation this dedicated grants programme will again contribute to the costs of partner activities.
Applicants can apply for between £1,000 and £10,000 until the deadline of 2 April 2026. All the guidance and application form are provided here. Please note the information road closures and venue partners. As usual, preference will be given to applicants based in Westminster.
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.
This dynamic and intensive course takes place across four terms in a full calendar year. It is designed for those aged 21 and over who can discover and realise their potential as a creative artist over a year of training. You will be taught in group classes, developing your professionalism, collaboration and technical skill through ensemble learning and individual tutorials.
We expect you to be bold and fearless in your willingness to understand yourself and be prepared to be open and curious whilst experimenting with new methods of working. Throughout your training you will have opportunities to collaborate with leading directors, writers and producers.
The year culminates in London where you will perform in London venues to the public and to an invited industry audience. On completion of the course, you will be awarded Equity membership.
Graduates of this course include Tanya Reynolds, Babou Ceesay, Jude Owusu, Claire Foy and Richard Gadd.
This is a dynamic and demanding course based on the values of classical acting, adapted to suit the needs of the contemporary world and the artists of today.
The course is practical, not theoretical and provides a thorough training in vocal, physical and imaginative techniques which will support you in discovering your full creative potential. Our approach will provide you with the ability to continue learning and developing beyond these three years and throughout your professional life.
As a year group company you will be taught in classes and through regular one-to one tutorials across all of the core disciplines. You will have many opportunities to work collaboratively with leading directors, writers and designers from theatre, film and television as well as meeting key industry casting directors and agents.
You will be taught in group classes and through regular one-to one tutorials across all of the core disciplines. You will have many opportunities to work with leading practitioners from theatre, film and television as well as key industry casting directors and agents.
In your final year you will make your transition into the performing arts industries by spending your final term in London making work with directors and writers and performing at venues in London.
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.
