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.
‘Creative Wellbeing’ – the title seems self-explanatory, but when does it get taught? Talked about? Not only will this workshop examine ways in which we can nurture our stress as artists, but will also look at how to identify and advocate for your boundaries - both in process and practice. What comes after you’ve said “no”? How does creative risk continue? You will be practically exploring exactly that. Other topics may include neurodiversity, burnout and supporting others. Creative Wellbeing aims to give young people aged 14-21 the language and confidence to create theatre healthily, honestly and unbound.
Applications are now OPEN to join the 2026 cohort of SPRINGBOARD.
Springboard is our free training programme that aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.
This groundbreaking programme is a performance pathway into employment designed specifically to support young people aged 18-25yrs who live in West London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
Each year, 10 new trainees are enrolled in the programme, benefitting from a bursary that will support them while they take part in a wide range of development initiatives including performances, workshops, masterclasses, artist development and opportunities both on and off the stage.
Trainees receive hundreds of engagement opportunities over their attachment to the Lyric. They learn from leading industry practitioners in masterclasses led by Main House directors; Lyric Artistic Associates Nina Steiger, Tinuke Craig, Tanika Gupta, Philip McMahon and Good Teeth; and the Lyric’s Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie and Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan.
Submissions are now OPEN for the second year of the Bill Cashmore Award: One Act Play Prize
The Bill Cashmore Award, presented by Young Lyric, offers a paid opportunity for two new one-act plays by writers aged 18-30, to be professionally produced at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. The two winning plays will run as a double bill and will be performed by the Lyric’s Springboard trainee actors in Autumn 2026.
The two successful writers will:
We particularly welcome submissions from those who are underrepresented in theatre and/or situated in areas culturally underserved. Please see our FAQs for more details.
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.
We are looking to take on a trainee stage manager to assist with our spring/ summer 2026 theatre production of The Scarlet Pimpernel. This is a hands-on role, requiring attendance at rehearsals (in Brixham) and shows (South Devon and up to Midlands). At the end the trainee may be invited to stay on with us, or not as they choose. Laura, the show director and theatre company founder will be mentoring.
The trainee will recieve photos of them "in action" at rehearsals and shows, free tea and coffee at all shows/ rehearsals, and at the end of the show run, a written reference for future work or study use. Travel to Midlands performance(s) is provided. Rehearsals begin Feb 2026, show run finishes duing August 2026
The trainee should be based in the South Devon area.
With us, the stage manager will be trained with the following responsibilities:
Applicants Personal Qualities:
For: producers, artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, access coordinators, facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
This session will cover how Prime Theatre approach pastoral care and supporting the teenagers they work with, including support inside and outside of the rehearsal room and care practices.
We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector.
Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.
In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.
This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.
For: facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
This session, led by Mortal Fools, will explore how to adapt a session when working with young people with different access requirements, to ensure everyone in the room can feel heard and enjoy themselves.
We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector.
Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.
In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.
This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.
for Black & Global Majority Creatives
Black Lives Natter presents the SpeakEasy programme which brings together a year-long series of events for Black & Global Majority individuals. The programme includes SpeakEasy Po’JaM, Po’JaM Co’LaB and SpeakEasy Page-to-Stage. Po’JaM is a bi-monthly music and spoken word open mic night, Co’LaB a monthly creative drop-in, and Page-to-Stage is a series of writing workshops. We are building a thriving creative ecosystem through writing, performance and community connection. Below are details on how to get involved with our programme of free and low cost events.
Following the announcement of Creative Wales’ investment in our innovative digital platform, we’re excited to begin exploring its potential and create a high quality, online experience for young people led by young creative voices across Wales.
We believe music is a potent creative force that feeds self-expression, personal development, and wellbeing, and with your help the Anthem Gateway can provide an essential bridge for young people to the music industry.
This month we’re starting the process of commissioning new music creators, in both English and Welsh, and offering paid opportunities to develop our next round of resources.
Whether you’re a musician or local promoter with insights to share, a community music-minded fundraiser, budding marketeer or just have something to say about the state of music today, we’re looking for young people from all backgrounds across Wales to help us tackle subjects that are relevant to you.
