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.