Applause Outdoor 2024 artist commission/development opportunities

Applause Rural Touring collaborates with artists and communities to bring exceptional arts to familiar local spaces. Each year, Applause commissions small-scale shows specifically developed for outdoor events and tours this work across our network in Kent, Sussex, and Essex. We offer these professional, exciting and unique performances to a range of promoters including small village fetes and community events (who benefit from our touring subsidy) as well as larger established events and festivals.

For 2024 we are offering the following opportunities for artists:
To tour alongside our previously commissioned work, we are looking to support up to 6 new shows (commissions or reshapes) to be created for touring in 2024. Please review the opportunities below for both Commissions and Reshapes.

Applause Commission and Reshape/Development Awards
Small-scale outdoor works: commission fees up to £4000. This opportunity is for companies with a track record in creating or performing work outdoors to support the creation of a new small-scale work. Alongside this we also offer our commissioned companies a minimum number of touring dates across our network.

Co-commission opportunities with partner organisations: commission fees up to £4000

• 1DegreeEast – we will be seeking work by Kent/Essex based artists with an opportunity to showcase the new work at the annual South by South East Festival 2024 held at the Gulbenkian, Canterbury (end of April 2024).
• Greenwich + Docklands International Festival – we will be seeking a small-scale show that is inspired by or encourages questions around an environmental theme. The work will also be presented as part of GDIF 2024 (August).

Small-scale outdoor work that requires a reshape/development: development fees between £500 – £2500. Existing outdoor work that requires some reshaping/development to tour rurally. Alongside this we also offer our Development Award companies a minimum number of touring dates across our network.

 Timeline for all applications: 

• Deadline for applications is end of day Sunday 24 September 2023 
• Shortlisted applicants will be notified by Friday 29 September 2023 

• Interviews of shortlisted applications will take place between 3-6 Oct 2023 

Click here for more information on all commissions