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.

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content.  
 
The BTEC study programme can be accessed from 16 years of age and is delivered by our highly trained professional artists and performing arts teachers within each learning facility over two years. Students will train and perform within our professional, purpose-built studios providing a unique and true vocational experience. 
 
As one of the oldest Musical Theatre colleges we'll ensure you maximise your true potential as you'll work closely with our working industry professionals. You will receive a high level performing arts training and work towards achieving the highest grades possible in line with our high internal standards to become the very best version of you. 
 
You will be assessed through practical performances, rehearsals, training sessions and assignments. This BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice will allow you to progress onto university, audition/apply to specialist, advanced performing arts schools and/or gain employment directly into the industry.  
 
 
Recognition 
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Musical Theatre) is awarded by Pearson and regulated by Ofqual. It is Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. This qualification is equivalent to 3 A-levels and worth up to 168 UCAS points. 
 
Progression 
This BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice will allow learners to progress onto university, audition/apply to specialist, advanced performing arts schools and/or gain employment directly into the industry.
 
 
 
 
 

‘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.

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.

This programme aims to provide the vital support necessary for students to overcome the financial barriers they face to access and complete our training, allowing students to focus fully on their course without the burden of financial strain. 

We currently provide scholarship support to 28% of students across our student cohorts. Applicants will be contacted about scholarships when they receive an offer to train at LAMDA, however some scholarships can be applied for externally. 

All scholarship applicants must possess the means to fund their training costs at LAMDA before applying for scholarship support. This includes applying for applicable undergraduate or postgraduate loans in the UK, US or home countries. 

There is always a greater need for scholarships than what we can currently provide, and we are working to increase the number of scholarships available to ensure that finance is not a barrier to students from under-represented groups who wish to access LAMDA’s training.

LAMDA’s scholarships usually range between £3,000 - £15,000 and are funded through grants from trusts and foundations, companies and individual donors and are reviewed on an annual basis. 

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.

RADA was founded on the principle that all students with talent can train regardless of their background and circumstances. Our Scholarship fund ensures that the most talented students can train here by reducing the economic barriers many students face when pursuing their training.

Tuition fees for UK (Home) undergraduates are currently £9,250 per year, and we estimate that students also incur maintenance costs of approximately £14,000 (over 10 months) to cover standard living expenses such as rent, food, travel and course materials.

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