After the announcement of its closure, Forest Forge has allocated remaining funds to support local artists and organisations with grants of between £500 – £5,000.
In 2026 Forest Forge Theatre Company announced its closure after 45 years of making and touring theatre in the New Forest. As the journey comes to an end, the team are eager to support artists and cultural community organisations in the New Forest via some small commissions. We hope that by providing small pots of funding we can support sustainability and can seed fund new ideas.
We have ringfenced some of our remaining funds to support local artists and organisations with grants of between £500 – £5,000. We anticipate making between 5 – 10 Forge Ahead Commission grants.
Projects should deliver activity within one of our three areas of activity:
We are also especially excited to support projects and ideas that complement the Forest Forge ethos; those that are playful, heartfelt, joyful and irreverent.
Funds can be used for any number of costs including artist fees, travel, room hire, materials, marketing, training and can be used as match funding.
We welcome applications from:
Projects must:
Key dates:
Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees and decisions are final. Successful applicants will be required to report back to a Forest Forge Trustee after the closure of the company.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Bristol Old Vic are looking for an emerging theatre director to join their Engagement department as Young Company Director in a fixed term role.
ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND YOUNG COMPANY:
Bristol Old Vic's Engagement department encompasses Young Company; one of the largest regional youth theatres in the UK, work with community groups and schools, training projects for young artists across the South West and co-created heritage projects.
Young Company is home to over 300 young people aged 3-30 from across the South West who take part in an ongoing programme of weekly sessions, theatre masterclasses, community projects and full-scale performances.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
A focus on creative delivery over the yearlong residency - The Young Company Director will deliver Bristol Old Vic Young Company classes, direct two Young Company productions and two one-week summer schools. The YC director will ensure that there is a continued high artistic standard within the department.
ESSENTIAL INFO:
ELIGIBILITY:
We welcome applicants from Bristol and the surrounding areas, and those from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts sector, particularly from the global majority.
INTERVIEWS:
DEADLINE: 5 Oct 2026, 17:00
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Bristol Old Vic are partnering with Good Chance Theatre to offer an exciting new opportunity for a producer with experience of forced displacement to join our team for five months.
ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND STAGE DOOR:
Bristol Old Vic's Engagement department encompasses Young Company; one of the largest regional youth theatres in the UK, work with community groups and schools, training projects for young artists across the South West and co-created heritage projects.
Stage Door is Good Chance Theatre’s flagship programme dedicated to creating bespoke paid trainee opportunities for creatives from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. The programme celebrates and nurtures creative industry professionals while addressing the imbalance of opportunities available to people who have been displaced.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
To produce the Connections Festival 2027 in collaboration with the Engagement Team.
National Theatre Connections is the National Theatre’s annual, nationwide youth theatre festival and comprises of venues all over the country hosting Youth theatre productions of scripts written specifically for young people. Bristol Old Vic has been a partner venue for the festival for over 13 years and will host 8 youth theatre productions over a week in March 2027.
INTERVIEWS:
Interview date: 14th October 2026 at Bristol Old Vic Theatre
APPLICATION:
To apply, please submit the following materials to: HR@bristololdvic.org.uk
DEADLINE: 1 Oct 2026, 12:00 (midday)
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Test
Elevate is a practical, skills-building programme from acta Community Theatre for socially engaged theatre-makers and artists. Selected workshops are also open to artists from other disciplines.
This workshop will explore:
The workshop focuses on working as a theatre practitioner, but the skills and tools will benefit artists working across disciplines.
The workshop takes place at acta’s theatre, accessed via five steps, with a lift available. An accessible toilet is also provided.
acta can offer a range of access adjustments, including on-site wheelchairs and walkers, accessible parking, free tickets for carers or companions, sighted guiding and large-print materials.
For access requests, including anything not listed above, please contact rosa@acta-bristol.com.
If cost is a barrier, acta may be able to help with attendance. Contact rosa@acta-bristol.com to discuss options.
Elevate is a skills-building programme from acta Community Theatre for socially engaged theatre-makers, artists, community organisers and campaigners interested in working creatively with communities.
This practical, explorative workshop will explore:
The theatre is accessed via five steps, with a lift available. There is also an accessible toilet. acta can provide a range of adjustments, including on-site wheelchairs and walkers, accessible parking, free tickets for carers/companions, sighted guiding and large-print materials.
If you have access requirements, including anything not listed above, please contact rosa@acta-bristol.com.
The first workshop, Creative Facilitation, takes place on 16 September.
If cost is a barrier, acta may be able to help with your attendance. Contact rosa@acta-bristol.com to discuss options.
Elevate is a practical, skills-building programme from acta Community Theatre for socially engaged theatre-makers and artists. Selected workshops are also open to people from other creative and community disciplines.
This workshop will explore:
The workshop is open to anyone interested in everyday heritage and people’s histories. Writers, storytellers, filmmakers and researchers may also find it useful.
The workshop takes place at acta’s theatre, accessed via five steps, with a lift available. An accessible toilet is also provided.
acta can offer a range of access adjustments, including on-site wheelchairs and walkers, accessible parking, free tickets for carers or companions, sighted guiding and large-print materials.
For access requests, including anything not listed above, please contact rosa@acta-bristol.com.
If cost is a barrier, acta may be able to help with attendance. Contact rosa@acta-bristol.com to discuss options.
Elevate is a practical, skills-building programme from acta Community Theatre for socially engaged theatre-makers and artists. Selected workshops are also open to people working across creative and community disciplines.
This workshop will explore:
The workshop is suitable for anyone whose work involves gathering and sharing community voices, including writers, storytellers, filmmakers and researchers.
The workshop takes place at acta’s theatre, accessed via five steps, with a lift available. An accessible toilet is also provided.
acta can offer a range of access adjustments, including on-site wheelchairs and walkers, accessible parking, free tickets for carers or companions, sighted guiding and large-print materials.
For access requests, including anything not listed above, please contact rosa@acta-bristol.com.
If cost is a barrier, acta may be able to help with attendance. Contact rosa@acta-bristol.com to discuss options.
Elevate is a practical, skills-building programme from acta Community Theatre for socially engaged theatre-makers and artists. Selected workshops are also open to people working across creative and community disciplines.
This workshop will explore:
The workshop is suitable for anyone who works with groups to develop stories, not just theatre practitioners. Writers and other storytellers may also find it useful.
The workshop takes place at acta’s theatre, accessed via five steps, with a lift available. An accessible toilet is also provided.
acta can offer a range of access adjustments, including on-site wheelchairs and walkers, accessible parking, free tickets for carers or companions, sighted guiding and large-print materials.
For access requests, including anything not listed above, please contact rosa@acta-bristol.com.
If cost is a barrier, acta may be able to help with attendance. Contact rosa@acta-bristol.com to discuss options.
Bristol Old Vic
