BBC Performing Arts Fund Feed

Going with the Flow

2014-07-18T11:56:55+00:00

In a new series of feature blogs we are catching up with our Community Theatre and Theatre Fellows. Charlotte Mountford PAF Theatre Fellow 2014 (producer)The Lowry Salford Quays discusses her new project Flow Salford.

Flow Salford

The Flow Salford journey began in December 2013 when The Lowry and I were successfully awarded a BBC Performing Arts Fund Fellowship. It had always been a part of the application that the culmination of my fellowship would be some sort of showcase for local artists. After meeting with many Salford theatre-makers, directors, performers, writers, graduates, students, venues and lecturers my ambition for the project expanded.

I began to get other venues on board – The Kings Arms and Salford Arts Theatre – who were equally as excited about a festival of new local work as I was. We agreed that Flow would be a weekend festival celebrating the vast, the varied and the very new work being made in Salford today. A diverse range of strictly Salford’s newest talent would take up residency across the city’s cultural landscape. We were excited about the cross-pollination of audiences this could provide as well; the opportunity to see something new in your go-to venue or venture to a different space to see something you like the sound of.

After seeing so much brilliant work in the city, I decided to make the selection process an open-call. The application wasn’t strict, but applicants had to be based in Salford, or making work in the city with a proven dedication to its cultural landscape. We received over 30 eligible applications, all of a very high standard with exciting ideas

Working with the partner venues, we finally agreed on 8 local artists. The final line-up includes sound-specialist Manoli Moriaty working with Shona Roberts, children’s theatre company Scallywags, installation artist and performer Kate Daley, comedy sketch group Gein’s Family Giftshop, solo artists Nathan Birkinshaw, site-specific specialists Moonstruck Me, dance by Laura Fay Thomas and interactive performance from Inkblot.

We had a lot of great applications from companies with fledging ideas that we wanted to see so we’ve also curated an evening of ‘Flow Salford Snippets’. The night will give these companies the chance to perform 15 minutes of a work-in-progress to an audience and panel of experts.. These companies are 1956 Theatre, Northern Rose, Alex Summers and Fresh Loaf Productions.

Myself and the other venues involved hope that Flow will showcase Salford as hub of emerging talent. Flow Salford will encourage artists and audiences to explore the city, discover new talent and new spaces and… go with flow.

http://www.flowsalford.co.uk/

How we found our Fellow

2014-05-01T06:00:14+00:00

Still getting get your head around how to find a possible PAF Fellow? We asked Ric Watts, Producer with Unlimited Theatre, to talk us through their selection process for last year's Theatre Fellowship.

"For Unlimited, the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship is a great opportunity to take a proactive approach to something we see as a real issue facing the contemporary theatre sector – a lack of experienced producers to support all of the brilliant artists making work at the moment. As a company making new work that tours nationally and internationally, we’re well placed to give direct hands on experience and valuable mentoring – but often find it challenging to properly resource such opportunities given the demands of our work.

From my own experience starting out as a fledgling producer, the most valuable experiences I had were when I was thrown into the deep end (albeit with armbands on and an experienced coach standing behind me) and asked to work with experienced artists on ambitious projects that pushed me out of my comfort zone. So we wanted to use the Fellowship opportunity to invite a promising young producer to work with Unlimited as Assistant Producer for six months during the busiest point of our year – touring an existing show, while making two new ones. Our Fellow would hit the ground running, taking responsibility for key areas of our busy programme while being well supported by key members of the Unlimited team.

The most challenging part of the process of securing the Fellowship opportunity was the actual recruitment of the fellow, given the scheme asks that the potential fellow is in place at the point of application, and that you’ve gone through a fair and transparent process. We essentially had to interview for a job that didn’t yet exist – which felt unusual and a big ask of potential candidates.

We sought the advice of peers and colleagues, asking them to recommend budding young producers from Yorkshire who would benefit from the opportunity. We approached a number and asked them to informally apply for the scheme if they were interested – a CV and a short letter expressing what they might hope to get out of such an opportunity*. From seven applicants, we interviewed 3. The interviews were informal discussions – about the candidates current work, their career ambitions, their development needs, as well as the work of Unlimited. The interviews weren’t about fulfilling a set criteria, but identifying an individual who felt like they’d benefit greatly from the Fellowship, and would fit in well with our team.

After we selected Christie Hill, who was our first choice, we came across the second issue we encountered. As a fairly recent graduate trying to get a proper footing in the arts, Christie was – like most recent graduates – in need of work. Our application was made in September 2013, but the Fellowship wouldn’t begin until April 2014. This meant us asking for a real leap of faith from Christie, and to keep herself potentially free for the Fellowship while the application was assessed, despite needing to start earning income. Brilliantly, Christie managed to find a short-term maternity cover contract which allowed her to begin work in an admin role for a large organisation straight away and we rejigged the dates of her Fellowship to accommodate this new contract.

While the recruitment process itself felt unusual, and at times high-risk (what if Christie had been offered the perfect full-time role during assessment, or while waiting for the role to start?), we now feel that we’re in a strong place. Christie only begins her Fellowship next month, but we’ve had a conversation ongoing for close to a year and she’s regularly been to see the company’s work during this period. As such, it feels like she’ll start the role already part of the team. I hope this will allow her to make the most out of this unique and valuable opportunity, and use the next six months to really develop her own skills as a highly promising young producer."

Find out a little more about Christie's fellowship here.
Follow Unlimited on Twitter.
Visit Unlimited on Facebook.

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*Please note that the selection process has changed slightly from last year and you must go through an open call to find your potential Fellow. Read the Terms and Conditions of the scheme to get the full details.

Terms and Conditions, FAQs and the application form can be found on the PAF Fellowship grants page. The deadline for applications is 18 August 2014.

The 2014 BBC Performing Arts Fellowship Scheme

2014-04-09T10:28:34+00:00

This year we are excited to announce a new version of the Fellowship scheme. Over the past three years we have offered Fellowships in dance, music and theatre. Now we are opening up the scheme so that organisations from across the world of the performing arts can apply to host an emerging talent for a year.

We are looking for applications from organisations that can offer development opportunities, support and training from all genres of the performing arts. From dance, music and theatre to opera, spoken word, circus and puppetry, we are interested in hearing from organisations across the UK and Northern Ireland.

You can be a theatre, a dance company, an orchestra, a venue or any not for profit arts organisation. You may be a large institution with a host of contacts or resources to share. Or you may be a small team willing to open up your organisation to give an opportunity to someone that you haven’t worked with before. And the Fund will provide £10,000 per organisation to make this happen.

We are asking organisations to look around at creative talent that are new to your organisation. The Fellow should have a track record and be ready to make the jump to the next level, whether that is a directing, choreographing, producing, writing, composing or performing. The organisation will help them realise their ambition and provide the resource, support and opportunity to make that happen.

Find the Terms & Conditions on the PAF Fellowship grant page, where you'll also see some useful resources like tips and FAQs. You might also find this blog about how Unlimited Theatre found their Fellow for last year's Theatre Fellowship scheme useful.

Meet the Winners: Lung Ha's Theatre Company

2014-03-12T14:51:57+00:00

Lung Ha's is an Edinburgh based theatre company that provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to become actively involved in the performing arts. They are currently rehearsing for a collaboration with National Museums Scotland and will be performing in the Ediburgh Festival Fringe in another co-production with Stellar Quines. Find out more about this busy theatre group...

1. Who are Lung Ha's Theatre Company?
Started in 1984, Lung Ha’s Theatre Company consists of a maximum of 25 performers with learning disabilities from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, who attend a weekly workshop to develop theatre skills and work to create two professional theatre productions a year. Previous productions have toured extensively across Scotland, and when possible, internationally. Lung Ha’s Theatre Company has a growing reputation for performance quality and artistic achievement. Our vision is to be a leading theatre company for people with learning disabilities, in Scotland and internationally.

2.Tell us about the project the BBC PAF Community Theatre grant will fund?
The BBC Performing Arts Fund is helping to fund The Hold, an exciting collaboration with National Museums Scotland. In this production the Company is developing and will perform a piece of site-specific promenade theatre inside the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. The project will involve members of Lung Ha’s Theatre Company as well as director Maria Oller, composer Kenneth Dempster, writer Adrian Osmond and designer Karen Tennent. The project has been partly inspired by objects on display in the museum and will take place within the museum’s normal opening hours; enabling members of the public who may not usually attend the theatre, to view the production as they look around the museum’s exhibitions.

The Hold is the poignant, lyrical and profoundly moving story of one man looking back over his life - but with a future still yet to be written. Peter, a man for whom holding onto every moment of his life has become a physical obsession, realises that letting go of the past is the only way he can look forward, and perhaps even find peace.

4. Give us 3 words that describe a performance by Lung Ha's.
Creative. Inclusive. Passionate

5. What was the best reaction from the group when they found out about winning the PAF grant?
“Thank you BBC PAF, the money you have provided will help Lung Ha’s Theatre Company strive forward to create more theatre and help people to think differently about performers with a disability.”
Stephan Tait – Company Member

“With the money provided by the BBC Performing Arts Fund, they have given us huge opportunities to look forward to as a theatre group, but also as friends. It is great to know we are supported by such a huge and successful organisation. Thanks BBC PAF.”
Emma McCaffrey – Company Member

6. How will the members benefit from the project?
Cast members will directly benefit from having an artistic, social and therapeutic outlet. With this project comes the opportunity to work alongside people who have a range of expertise including: choreographers, musicians, photographers, designers and costume makers; allowing the Company to develop their own repertoire of creative skills. The project also provides a platform to develop life skills such as team work, independence and self-confidence. Audience members can also benefit from the cultural aspects of theatre and the social aspects of interacting with people with learning disabilities, especially those who may not have previously had an awareness of learning disabilities.

Follow Lung Ha's Theatre Company on Twitter & Facebook.
Visit Lung Ha's Theatre Company website here.

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Emily DeDakis - Theatre Fellow & Dramaturg

2014-02-25T10:46:08+00:00

Emily DeDakis was born in the USA, completed an M.A. in English and a PhD in Creative Writing in Queen's University Belfast, and was awarded a BBC Performing Art Fund Fellowship to work and train full-time as a dramaturg with Accidental Theatre.

Her first full production this year see's the work of debut playwright Donal O'Hagan in theatre venues across Northern Ireland. O'Hagan's The Kitchen, the Bedroom and the Grave, which is a multimedia exploration of homecoming, brings brings candid insight to issues of family and identity in Northern Ireland. The play, which asks how far a person can author their own life cuts to the heart of core questions we face as individuals: nationality, sexuality, and responsibility for family.

Emily says “I’m bowled over that the BBC Performing Arts Fund has given me such a generous and thoughtful chance to develop new work. It's fantastic to be involved in work that is capable of bringing national issues to the local stage and engaging local people through the powerful medium of drama, especially given the concerns expressed about everyone accessing the arts.”

Here is Emily recounting her experiences of the fellowship so far...

This external content is available at its source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaWRDv6XQsE

Meet the Winners: Young & Talented Rep Company

2014-02-12T07:09:00+00:00

The Young & Talented Rep Company was created by Suzann McLean and David Fielding in collaboration with Oxford House to give young actors a chance to perform and to express themselves with realistic and honest material that is a true representation of what it is like to be a teenager in society today.

We asked the group to answer some questions, so take a minute and get to know Young & Talented a little better…

Who are Young & Talented?
The Y&T Rep Company is dedicated to providing outstanding opportunities for young people.
The plays they create are a reflection on topical and current situations that teenagers face today with subjects covered including underage pregnancy, gun and knife crime, rioting and incarceration.

Whilst being topical it is by no means a way to shock but just a need to give a voice to what the youth of today are witnessing and experiencing. Thanks to the BBC Performing Arts Fund Y&T Rep Company have partnered with Spotlight, a brand new £7 million youth centre in Poplar. Spotlight isn’t a youth club, or a youth centre - it’s a multi-million pound creative youth space designed to inspire. It has been shaped by young people, for young people.

Tell us about the project the BBC PAF CT grant will fund?
The Y&T Rep Company will present a play for the start of the Spotlight Theatre’s new season, a brand new piece written especially for them by David Fielding. Suzann McLean will direct and the two will create and produce, which has been the way since the company started.

There will be two youth theatre groups in Spotlight, the other one being the National Theatre. Whilst they will be doing introduction on drama workshops Y&T Rep are producing productions to the exacting standards of professional theatre. So the Y&T REP are really proving themselves within the industry.

Give us 3 words that describe a performance by your group.
THRILLING, EMOTIONAL, REAL
OR
THRILLING, TRUTHFUL, DYNAMIC

What do the group like to perform best?
The Group like to perform truthful, realistic and dynamic pieces that reflect what the young people of today are experiencing and going through.

The writing is fresh and unseen before; the audience are not expecting it and have no pre-conceived ideas beforehand. It has to be honest. It has to have a heart and a soul and is story driven; it also has to be interspersed throughout with comedy. The Roles have to be full and each character has a true depth to them, there are never any secondary roles in a Y&T play, each person is pivotal to the piece and the action that unfolds.

What has been the best reaction to one of your performances?
The best reaction we have had was the very first show the Y&T Rep Company did ‘The Killing Class’.

"Thrilling and emotionally charged drama"

“These teenage actors were sensational! They made their characters come alive with both their speech and their body language. You can feel their character's pain. I was entranced from beginning to end.”

It was written with 20 Actors each playing a main role about a group of boys incarcerated in a prison for killing waiting to go into Adult prison for their crime. We were totally taken by surprise at how much the audience loved the show; it completely sold out with a waiting list of people wanting to get any return tickets.

Follow the Young & Talented Rep Company on Twitter & Facebook.
Visit the Young & Talented website here.
See previous work from Young & Talented here.

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Meet the Winners is a feature introducing you to some of the groups and individuals who have recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We get to hear about so many fantastic projects and people who are keeping the performing arts alive in the UK, that we thought you should know about them too.

Theatre scheme winners announced!

2013-12-05T10:01:07+00:00

It’s a big day for us – not only can we announce the 19 winners of our Theatre Fellowship scheme, but we also have our 58 Community Theatre projects confirmed. Congratulations to all our winners!

The one thing we can always count on at PAF is that our Community scheme grantees will be diverse, eclectic and put a big smile on our faces – and this year is no different. From a site-specific festival in a fried chicken shop, to a residency developing skills in multi-sensory theatre using textiles and puppets, there is something to suit every theatrical taste.

There are also 19 Theatre Fellowships being created across the UK – ranging from the Papatango Theatre in London getting its first resident playwright, to the Fellow at the Unlimited Theatre working as an Assistant Producer with the company both in Leeds and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Elsewhere, at the Third Angel theatre in Sheffield, the Fellow will work alongside two Artistic Directors and the General Manager, before joining the company on tour in Portugal to work on their next international co-production.

To see the full press release, please visit the BBC Press Office website. You can download a list of all the Theatre Fellowship winners here and the Community Theatre winners here. You can also hear what PAF Director Miriam O’Keeffe has to say about the announcement on the About the BBC blog.

What’s in store for next year? We’ve got our fingers crossed for some dance grants, but we can’t announce anything just yet. What we can confirm is that we will be awarding more grants in the performing arts, so limber up for some PAF application making in 2014!

We’ve had some great reactions from our Theatre winners, and we can’t wait to share their work and projects with you as they unfold in the New Year.

To keep updated with how they’re getting along, join us on Twitter & Facebook and don't forget to sign up for our Newsletter.

Five Reasons why we love Community Theatre

2013-08-13T14:27:41+00:00

With the deadline of the Community Theatre scheme approaching, our year of Theatre is in full swing. Here at BBC PAF HQ we want to celebrate this wonderful sector so we asked community theatre enthusiast, Hollie Wimpenny, to share a little list of what makes it so great.

1. Building Communities
Getting involved in a community theatre project is a great way to meet new people and feel a part of your local community. The theatre process offers a fantastic platform for people to develop meaningful relationships, creating an opportunity for a network of lasting friends.

2. Personal Development
There are many ways in which a community theatre project can help develop participant’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Standing on stage and performing in front of people can be daunting and it’s not easy. However in a safe environment of a theatre workshop or rehearsal, where everyone in the room feels just as awkward, embarrassment can soon disappear. Over a period of time confidence can then start to grow, as performing becomes easier and enjoyable. These are communication skills which can be transferable to peoples’ daily lives.

3. Boost your local economy (and spirit!)
Just in case you weren’t aware, times are tough financially and finding low budget activities to do & see can be a real challenge. Not only do community performance groups provide very affordable entertainment, but becoming a member could take your mind away from your recession blues. Put your money back into your community and enjoy a bit of culture at the same time. What’s not to love?

4. Learn New Skills
Theatre doesn’t have to mean acting! There are a host of ways in which people could learn different skills when working on a theatre project. Whether it’s backstage, lighting, costume design or front of house, they are just as important and just as enjoyable, which leads to the final point:

5. It’s Fun!
It really is!

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The Community Theatre scheme is open for applications till the 16th September 2013. Head over to the grant page for more information and to read the terms and conditions.

Education Practicalities: the update

2013-07-17T10:33:36+00:00

We’ve blogged before on the rollercoaster of emotions when getting into Performing Arts schools or colleges. Obviously a huge amount of congratulations and celebrations are in order when you get that all awaited confirmation of a place! But for many there is that moment of pressure when the practicalities set it around paying for tuition fees.

The BBC Performing Arts Fund does not award grants that cover tuition, course fees or related costs. However, we have come across some organisations that might help you on your research for securing that financial support. Follow the links below for more information.

Dance and Drama Awards: funding for students
You could get a Dance and Drama Award (DaDA) to help with fees and living costs at one of 19 private dance and drama schools.

The Fenton Arts Trust
Grants are available to support individual works, activities, performances or prizes in the fields of drama, painting, sculpture, ballet, music and poetry.

The South Square Trust
The aim of the Trust is to assist individuals wishing to study degree courses in the Fine and Applied Arts. Individual applications are open from 1st Jan to 30th April each year.

For a more general search into funding organisations, try out:

Funding Central
A search engine with access to numerous funding organisations details and other financial resources

Drama UK
A list of useful links, including organisations offering advice and charitable Trusts and Foundations

And for those who are looking to take their studies overseas may wish to have a look at:

UK Council for International Student Affairs
The UK’s national advisory body serving the interests of international students

US-UK Educational Commission
The Fulbright Commission aims to foster cultural understanding through educational exchange

If you’re not considering applying to a school or college this year but may do in the future, take a look at previous winner Chris Cook’s blog on tips for auditioning here.

The Community Theatre scheme - a Trustees perspective

2013-06-05T06:25:31+00:00

The year of Theatre is truly in full swing now with the launch of the Community Theatre scheme. Jacqueline McKay, a BBC Performing Arts Fund Trustee, has given us her thoughts about the scheme and the wider context of community activity.

This year the BBC Performing Arts Fund will focus on supporting individuals and community groups develop their talents and ambitions through Theatre. The launch of the community theatre scheme follows on from a highly successful year that supported individuals and community groups develop and nurture their skills and talents in all kinds of musical activity. In 2013, we want to support ambitious interventions for community theatre groups and community based drama projects that will capture the spirit of, and excitement around, programmes like The Voice.

We all get a buzz when we see community groups and their participants discover their talents through taking part in the performing arts. I’m sure, like me, you will have your own experiences of seeing individuals and groups transform before your eyes as a result of taking part in inspirational arts experiences.

The BBC Performing Arts Fund want to support and enhance the theatre based opportunities that currently exist for communities across the UK. We want to help already established community theatre groups take that important next step to develop and build on their existing programme, experiences and skills. We want the grant to help groups realise shared ambitions, increase participation in community theatre, and extend the platforms that they currently work in.

Groups may want to work with a writer, dramaturg, director, local theatre, arts centre, collaborate with a professional theatre company, to help them take their work to the next level. If your group would really benefit from some extra support to showcase work, to build on existing skills and programmes, attract new audiences or hard to reach groups within the community, this could be the scheme for you.

We understand how important community arts are. We know that taking part in the performing arts for all ages - from cradle to grave - can make a significant difference to how we feel about ourselves, and how we feel about our communities. Sometimes, this is where talent can make its first appearance.

The Fund looks forward to supporting communities enjoy and thrive as part of a strong UK community arts scene. Please find out more and if you think that your group will benefit go ahead and apply!

Good Luck!

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Terms and Conditions, FAQs and the application form can be found on the Community Theatre grants page. The deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 16th September 2013.

Jacqueline is Chief Executive at Horsecross Arts, Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall, and is responsible for the artistic and strategic vision of the organisation. She is a committed creative programmer and producer. She has a breadth of experience in leadership roles supporting organisations, artists and communities.

Calling all theatre makers

2013-06-03T07:53:48+00:00

Whether you are a community theatre group looking to expand your troup's performance skills or a theatre organisation who wants to mentor new talent - our theatre grant schemes aim to boost the profile of the performing arts in communities across the UK and nurture new talent.

Here are some headlines for each scheme to get you started, but please take the time to read through the Terms and Conditions of the schemes to find out which is right for you (you might even like to read the Frequently Asked Questions for the schemes to get the full picture of what's on offer):

Theatre Fellowship scheme
This is an opportunity for an emerging theatre maker to progress their career. Professional theatre organisations who have slected a talented individual can apply for £10K to develop and mentor their chosen Fellow.

* Grants are for £10,000
* Up to 20 Fellows will be rewarded a grant
* Organisations must select their Fellow after a fair and transparent process*
* Read this blog to find out more about the benefits of the scheme
* Applications close 5pm, Monday 22nd July 2013

[*NB: if your organisation would like to hold an open call to find new talent, please let us know if we can help to spread the word]

Community Theatre scheme
We want to hear from community theatre groups who are looking to take on ambitious projects. Maybe you ant to work with a professional writer or Director? Maybe you want to extend the reach of your audience? Or maybe you want to work with a professional theatre company to produce a piece that is specific to your community? These are just some ideas - don't let us stifle your creativity.

* The minimum amount you can apply for is £500
* The maximum amount you can apply for is £5000
* Up to 50 groups will be successful
* Read this blog to find out more about the scheme
* Applications close 5pm, Monday 16th September 2013

Theatre-makers, this is your time.

Read the information provided.
Apply online
Send us your supporting documents.
Break a leg!

Why your organisation should apply to the Theatre Fellowship scheme

2013-05-14T08:14:45+00:00

The BBC Performing Arts Fund’s first scheme of 2013, Theatre Fellowships, has now been launched. We asked our Trustee Fearghus Ó Conchúir to share his thoughts on how and why theatre organisations should get involved.

What excites you about the Theatre Fellowship scheme and why do you think organisations should engage in the grant?

Having seen the impact that the Dance and Music Fellowships have had on talented individuals and on the organisations with whom they’ve worked, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Theatre Fellowships will provide opportunities for exciting new talent in theatre to develop skills, share their ideas and build strong links with innovative organisations.

The Fellowships are valuable because they are tailored to the individual. Because the funds go to an organisation, it means that the individual has a professional support system to help them. As a choreographer, I know that getting those openings and building your professional network is essential for anyone who wants to flourish in the theatre sector.

What types of organisations can apply?

Theatre organisations of all kinds can apply - production companies, venues, festivals. But it does have to be an organisation rather than an individual. The organisation gets the award to host the individual. That way the emerging talent gets plugged in to, learns about and benefits from the existing structures straight away.

Do you have any suggestions on how an organisation can find their fellow?

I’m sure there are plenty of theatre organisations that feel that they already have a pool of new talent connected to them but I’d suggest that the Fellowships are an opportunity to look beyond the usual suspects.
This is a chance for organisations to find new talent. So I’d suggest that organisations have an open recruitment process to identify appropriate candidates and make sure it’s advertised widely. Even if the organisation isn’t successful in getting a Theatre Fellowship, it should have found some exciting new talent with which to work - and that’s good for everyone.

Who is the right candidate for a Fellowship? Or what should organisations be looking for in a suitable Fellow?

Organisations should be looking for people at the beginning of their career in theatre, people who have ideas, ability, talent and a willingness to work hard. It takes talent and hard-work to thrive in theatre but it also takes an opportunity to shine and I’d encourage organisations to look beyond their usual networks to find people who might be doing things in a different way, with a different perspective. There’s an opportunity through the Fellowship to find people who will shape what Theatre will look like in the future (and that mightn’t be the same as what’s going on now). So it will take organisations to be imaginative and risk-taking too to identify the best candidates for this opportunity.

How do you think the wider sector could benefit from the scheme?

The sector benefits from having new talent feed in to it. The financial challenges for people trying to make it in theatre means that there’s a danger of losing talent because of financial constraints. The BBC PAF Fellowship can provide an opportunity for anyone regardless of their background and income, so long as they have talent and an organisation that’s willing to host them. There’s also the opportunity for people with fresh ideas to receive the encouragement and mentoring that will help their ideas to develop. I’m looking forward to seeing what the theatre sector gains from developing potential like that.

In your career, have you ever had the opportunity to be mentored? What does this kind of experience bring to an emerging talent?

It wasn’t a formal mentor relationship, but I learned a great deal from the choreographer Kim Brandstrup, who has choreographed a number of works for the Royal Ballet. I joined his Arc Dance Company as a dancer soon after I graduated but it was when I became his assistant that I really started to understand how he saw choreography, how he put things together and how he drew on what he’d learned from his own mentors. He helped me understand the history and evolution of dance and to see my place in that history. He was a generous mentor and gave me and others opportunities to develop our own choreography. I benefited a lot from listening to his ideas and from seeing how he worked with dancers to make movement and then shaped that movement into choreography. I still refer to what I learned from him 15 years later.

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Terms and Conditions, FAQs and the application form can be found on the Theatre Fellowships grants page. The deadline for applications is 22nd July.

Fearghus is an independent choreographer and dance artist whose film and live performances, seen in Europe, the US and China, investigates the relationship between individuals and determining structures. He is also Dance Curator at Firkin Crane, Cork. Fearghus was the first Ireland Fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme and continues to contribute to the programme as a facilitator, coach and speaker.

Follow Fearghus on Twitter: @FollowFearghus and visit his website.

The Romance of Collaboration

2013-04-03T07:33:20+00:00

An artistic collaboration can produce amazing work but, for the producers, it can also be an emotional experience. Producer, Liz Pugh, talks us through different partnerships and gives us some tips on how to protect our creative hearts.

An insight by Liz Pugh, Creative Director of Walk the Plank,into artistic collaboration

Co-founder and Producer for Walk the Plank, Liz directs some of the company’s large scale outdoor performances, and has acted as consultant, mentor and trainer for artists and arts organisations. Before waving goodbye to dry land to set up the UK’s only touring theatre ship, Liz worked for touring companies, local authorities & venues – including the Royal Exchange, Welfare State International, and the Pleasance at the Edinburgh Festival. She currently sits on the board of Xtrax, which creates showcase opportunities for UK street artists; and was nominated by the Cultural Leadership programme as one of 50 Woman to Watch in the UK .

Walk the Plank are outdoor arts experts who create powerful artistic events with mass appeal. From international stage to village square, our specialist team develop remarkable moments that enrich the lives of our audience through shared experience - encouraging a sense of place, a feeling of pride, and well-being. We empower artists and communities through creative development, transforming people and the places in which they live through opportunities to engage with accessible, artistic excellence. Walk the Plank are currently working with writer Frank Cottrell Boyce to create The Return of Colmcille as part of Derry’s 2013 City of Culture celebrations

Follow Walk the Plank on twitter
Hear more of Liz’s views on the arts here

Liz Pugh is producer and co-founder of Walk the Plank

Our Year of Theatre

2013-01-15T16:56:39+00:00

2013 is well and truly here, and, as promised, we're all about Theatre here at the BBC Performing Arts Fund. We're currently working on refining our ideas and talking to industry professionals from the theatre performance world around the UK to make sure we're giving you the best and most relevant schemes to apply for.

We can't give away too much right now but here are a few things we can tell you:

- We WILL have a community theatre scheme [see Community Dance for how this might run]

- We WILL have a fellowship scheme [see Music Fellowships for what this might look like]

- We WON'T be funding student tuition fees (but you might want to read this blog & maybe have a look at this opportunity over at IdeasTap if that is what you are after).

- We WILL be giving £450,000 in funding to theatre this year

- We ARE very excited!

You can still come to us for gems related to music, dance and the performing arts in general - but anyone who has been waiting patiently for a theatre grant to sink your teeth into will soon be rewarded.

"Theatre" means many different things to many different people so we'll need a bit of consultation from you along the way to help us break it down and analyse it from every angle. We'll be asking you questions from time to time on Facebook so make sure you are following us if you want to give us your thoughts.

Right, that's enough from us for now. We'll be back soon with an update, in the meantime - go forth and perform!

The Arts Apprenticeship - hints, tips & pointers

2012-12-06T10:10:00+00:00

As part of the wider London 2012 Festival, the Greater London Authority offered five full-time NVQ Level 2 paid apprenticeships to work on producing events, specifically outdoors. Ella Samoles-Little earned her place with the Barbican as Culture Squad Apprentice Producer and reflects on how you step from your education to your profession in the arts.

"I have always been fascinated with the arts world, and am constantly influenced by the world around me. Since the rise in degree fees, I think the best advise I can give towards getting into the cultural sector, would be to go out and seek opportunity. Be involved in any way you can and if you have the right attitude, it will get noticed.

My path started by exploring photography and film at A-level, I loved experimenting with the visual messages you can create in both mediums. This pushed me in the direction of filmmaking. I studied a HNC in media practice, which had a focus on production. Although I enjoyed specific areas of the degree a lot - scriptwriting and directing were always my favourite - I did feel that some of the creative degrees now stop you tackling what you have passion for in your own way. Not everyone who is interested in making films - from the horror head, to the documentarian - will learn and take information in the same way.

I didn't finish my degree as I wanted to explore different routes and I came across Changemakers, a charity that focuses on the development of young people and helping ideas grow. I was fortunate to became part of their year scheme which developed my campaign skills, presentation and speech as well as giving me access to a personal mentoring scheme to help develop projects of my own. It was inspiring to be amongst like-minded people that wanted to make a difference.

That is where I got the chance to curate a community project with a £350 grant. Working with the people around me, I wanted to capture 'The London Life' through young people from 18-25 using Film, Photography, Music and Poetry. The project was a great success, and it was really interesting to see what people had to say. Also, the amount of support and involvement that was on offer was amazing.

The scheme was over and the buzz was fading from the night we pulled off. "Where to next?" was my biggest question. So, to answer this question, I turned to the internet and found the following websites useful:

- Arts Council Arts Jobs is a great way to see what work is out there

- Networking sites such as LinkedIn will help you to meet the right people.

Then to find spaces that aren't being used or on offer to use as a work space/ office/ rehearsal space for any project you have in mind somewhereto is an organisation which can help. See more information on their website.

Apprenticeships are now becoming widely available which is great to see. It's not only the increase in university fees that makes me a firm believer in all apprenticeship schemes. Participation on a scheme allows you to work and learn in a professional environment and really gain an insight into working within the arts. The Independent Theatre Council offer great short courses to help develop any areas you wish to know more about.

If there is any advice I can give, and what I urge you to do, is: Get out there! Speak to people with the same interest, combine ideas, get networking and get involved. Do some research into companies that produce the kind of work you are interested in and approach them about work experience opportunities. Meet people within the industry and be pro-active. And don't forget that networking tools such as twitter and blog pages are a great way to communicate with the world and follow people that inspire you.

Find your drive, and hit the road because the opportunities are out there!