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Writer's pictureBecky Webb
Sep 4, 20207 min read

Opportunities Round Up 03.09.2020

Updated: Sep 11, 2020

Welcome once again to our weekly opportunities round up. Our list of useful links that we have corralled for you this week.



 

WELL BEING

 


The Theatre Helpline is a free (from mobiles and landlines), independent

and confidential phone and email service that provides support to people working in the theatre industry. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.




The number to call is: 0800 915 4617

more information.


 

Leading a movement against suicide. Open to all, they also have campaigns for males facing mental health struggles. Call: 0800 58 58 58. The helpline and webchat is open to all and can be accessed 5pm – Midnight every day, 365 days a year. Or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/


 

There are many changes and new realities we are adapting to, which can mean anxieties and phobias being amplified at this time. AnxietyUk specialise in providing information resources to help with this. You can visit https://anxietyuk.org.uk for more information.


 

The Daily Cuppa from Screen Skills are Free online happiness hour sessions hosted by Julie Spencer a Mental Health First Aid trainer where people can chat, laugh, rant and generally connect.

The next one is on 10th September 12pm-1pm and you can register for a ticket here.

 

FUNDING

 

Theatre


The second round of applications for The Theatre Artists Fund (Netflix Fund) is still open until 12pm on Thursday 10th September.



It has been set up to provide emergency support for theatre workers and freelancers across the UK.


 

HOMEMcr

With the great news that Manchester's HOME is reopening, they have created 3 new commissions for PUSH Festival 2021.

They have three commissions available, and it doesn't need to be a new idea, they are looking for ideas in development.


Deadline Friday 11 September 2020.


 

Theatr Clwyd have created a programme of Micro Bursaries for freelancers



Designed "to give the space and time to think, dream, breathe, learn, create, debate, develop, design, inspire, perspire and laugh" the programme has 20 micro-bursaries to offer, which will pay the recipient £560, equivalent to a weeks company wage at the Theatre.


Deadline: 9 September


 

Acting For Others is a consortium of 14 member charities set up to help provide financial and emotional support to professionals within the theatre.



 

Get into Theatre is a one stop shop of ways into a career in theatre. They have sections on training, experience and funding.



With information on courses and funding, this website is a useful resource whether you are a newbie to it all, or an experienced professional looking for further development.


 

Liverpool based 2020 Musical Theatre Graduate?


A new socially distanced cabaret series is launching at Frederiks on Hope St. The series is produced by Musical Director George Francis. Apply here.


 

Front of House and Backstage Workers





If you work backstage or front of house and are struggling right now then The Theatrical Guild might be a good place to look, they have set up a great resource for theatre workers at any stage of their career. It includes help with finances, funding, counselling and training. You can apply for help here, and if you aren't eligible, they will pass you onto an organisation that can help.




 

Playwrights and Writers



The Society of Authors has set up the Authors' Emergency fund.

Open to all professional authors who are resident in the UK, including writers, illustrators, literary translators, scriptwriters, poets, journalists and others. Note: those who have had ACE emergency response fund are ineligible for this grant. Find out how to apply here.


 

If you're a playwright you'll be pleased to know there is a new prize from the wonderful people at Hope Mill Theatre called Through the Mill. The winner receives £5000, and their play will be produced by the theatre. The finalists will receive on to one mentoring with Jonathon Harvey. Find out more about how to apply here.

 

Theatre Uncut have opened their Political Playwriting Award for 2020. The winner will receive £9,500 and the deadline for submissions is 7th October 2020.



 

The Bruntwood Prize have published a fantastic toolkit for anyone who wants to make a start or develop their practice with writing a play. Check it out.

 

Radio



Are you a writer who's always been tempted by radio? The Alfred Bradley Bursary Award opens for applications on the 25th September. It's a £5000 bursary for a writer in the north of England who is new to writing for radio. Check it out.



 

Digital


In partnership with Jerwood Arts, FACT are inviting emerging artists, curators, technologists, and cultural activists, in particular those from underrepresented backgrounds, to apply for a new paid remote residency and artistic development opportunity this Autumn.


Deadline: Monday 14 September 2020, midnight


 

Outdoor Arts


Have an outdoor show ready to book? Outdoor Arts UK have created an online directory for shows that are able to be performed in the current climate accounting for social distancing and safety measures for both artists and audiences. It’s a straightforward form to fill in, which you can do here.


 

Music Industry


Music Support is a charity who offer support and resources for those within any area of the UK music industry suffering from mental, emotional and behavioural health disorders. Find out more.


 

The Association of Independent Music has opened a crisis fund for music contractors and freelance workers in the independent music industry, whose source of income has been severed without warning due to lost work in April and May as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's an ongoing fund and you can join here to apply.


 

Help Musicians is an independent UK charity for professional musicians of all genres, from starting out through to retirement.

They are a great resource for funding, information including health and wellbeing.

Below are two of their funding opportunities currently open for applications


The award is open to emerging jazz musicians and groups with the creativity, ambition and commitment to develop a sustainable career in jazz. The fund is looking for proposals that will help artists to reach the next stage in their career.


Deadline: Monday 14th October


The Covid-19 round of the Do It Differently Fund, offers a bespoke package of funding and expert advice designed to help you adapt and sustain your music through this time.


Deadline: Monday 14th September

 

Black Artists


Creative Debuts have established the Black Artists Grant, which is on a rolling system so there is no deadline. Once a month £1500 will be given to black artists in the UK with each artist receiving £500. If you want to put yourself forward for a grant, you can find out more about how to do that here.

 

D/deaf and disabled freelancers



Graeae are offering free support to Deaf and disabled freelancers thanks to support from Arts Council England and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Support includes: access support for zoom meetings, purchase or loan of technology, help getting projects off the ground, and help with personal finance applications. More info here.


 

LGBTQIA+ Artists



Unlimited are looking for more applications for their next round of commissions to come from learning disabled, non-binary, trans and visually impaired artists. They're hosting a focus sessions for anyone interested in applying who would like more guidance or information.


 

Consortium are a national specialist infrastructure and Membership organisation created to help support LGBT+ communities.

As well as supporting members, it leads on projects, creates networking and funding opportunities.



Thanks to The National Emergencies Trust, funding is available to address the additional needs of LGBT+ people and communities most adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic

Any UK based non-profit group, organisation or project that works with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans + (LGBT+) people is welcome to apply.


There is no deadline, with funding being assigned on a rolling basis until all the funding has been awarded.


 

RESOURCES/TRAINING

 

As well as The Daily Cuppa (see well being section), Screen Skills are offering a range of online events, training and learning. You can also apply for mentoring, bursaries and funding. There's so many amazing opportunities you'll have to see it to believe it.


 

If you weren't able to catch our ACE funding applications workshop with the amazing Nicole Behan, fear not, as we have something to help!


Jake Orr, is a jack of all creative trades, including being a Producer of Nottingham Playhouse. He is also a professional Bid writer and has written a blog giving some insights about writing an ACE Application.

You can check out his advice here.


 

The Independent Theatre Council (ITC) represents, supports and develops the professional performing arts in the UK.

They are a valuable hive of information and support including Resources, Training and Job postings.


They are also a very important reference for when you are budgeting rates of pay in your applications!


 

If you’re involved in participatory, community arts and social engagement you should check out Artschain. They meet monthly to discuss issues and share information and advice: https://artschain.co.uk/


 


Facciocose are a London based theatre company specialising in physical theatre and artist development.

They have created a series of online training including social media, marketing strategies, self assessment and web design as well as an extensive list of artist resources including funding information.


 

Are you an artist, theatre-maker, creative, company or producer based in Greater Manchester? The Greater Manchester Artists Hub are offering 30 minute sessions to chat about creative ideas and offer advice on issues that are causing you concern. Sign up for a session here.


 

The Society of British Theatre Designers have announced two new mentoring schemes including The Designers Mentorship Network which will pair 20 mentors with 30 mentees.


The aim is to pair people who are a few years ahead of those they are mentoring creating a tree like support structure, which will allow newbies and mid career designers to benefit from the scheme.


You can read more about it here.


Applications open: 7th September 2020

Application deadline: 21st September 2020 at 5pm.


 

Are you an artist or know someone that it?


Comics Youth are a non-profit Social Enterprise that delivers comic & zine reading & creation workshops in the Liverpool City Region.

They are looking for content related to the theme of HOPE for they Regional Inclusive Newspaper.

The work can be however you interpret it and the deadline is 12th September


Send work to amy@comicsyouth.co.uk



 


And that's a wrap!


We hope you found some useful information you can use, or send to a friend.


Have a great week and don't forget to check out all the other resources we have available including our new podcast series The Voices Project.


See you then!


MFTA x



Heard about a great opportunity, or have an opportunity to offer?

You can let us know by sending us a email - info@marchforthearts.com


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