Opportunity Tuesday is Back, Baby!
10 January 2023
Happy new year, pals!
I’m back after a wee festive break and I’m feeling equal parts worried and optimistic. Worried for obvious reasons - as the country crumbles around us. Funding is getting harder and harder to come by, and we are losing wonderful creatives to other more sustainable and financially viable careers. Optimistic because outside of the headlines there was a refreshing and game-changing wave of new blood accepted into the ACE National Portfolio, with communities and access at their heart, and there are some really exciting cultural things to look forward to this year: Leeds 2023! Croydon Borough of Culture! The lead-up to Bradford City of Culture! And many more.
As ever, there are also some wonderful people making wonderful things happen right now, and I am feeling grateful for them.x Before we kick off with our OppTues list, here are just a few:
A new low-cost counselling service for people who work in the arts has launched! Access counsellors with knowledge and understanding of the industry for as little as £15 per session.
Heather Parry has put together a super helpful thread for anyone currently panicking about their tax return.
There are some really generous free mentoring schemes popping up, such as this one in Dorset and this one in Manchester.
One of our own popped up on our tellies over the Christmas period as part of Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas! Sam Wilde is a fab stage designer and cardboard artist, and now you can recreate his cardboard creations at home.
Pride, one of the best films of all time (imho), is finally in development to become a stage musical!
Now, on with the main event…
Happy Opportunity Tuesday!
Every Tuesday I share 10 #artsopps, commissions, residencies, open calls and applications closing soon.
Always PAID (or free/cheap for training) and for a range of artists: emerging to mid-career, from 16 to 80+.
Here are this week’s…
For disabled artists:
Apply for £4,250 to develop high-quality, ambitious, original work from across a range of artforms, in collaboration with Unlimited, Touretteshero and the Collaborative Touring Network!
DEADLINE: TUE 31 JAN
For aspiring directors:
Shewolves are looking for a Trainee Assistant Director to support a new play in development, written in collaboration with young people in the Midlands. No experience necessary! £1,000 fee plus travel provided.
DEADLINE: TUE 24 JAN
For actors:
The Handlebards, a troupe of cycling actors, are casting for their 2023 tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Paid £500+ per week.
DEADLINE: TUE 17 JAN
For theatre-makers:
Apply for a year-long attachment as Creative Associate with Jermyn Street Theatre to get access to specialist workshops and mentor sessions (and get paid to attend them), an R&D week (including budget) to develop a new idea, and paid assisting roles on JST productions. You can be from a writing, directing, design or producing background.
DEADLINE: SUN 29 JAN
For academics:
Apply for funding of £5-20k from the Centre for Cultural Value to develop a collaborative research project with a cultural organisation which asks new questions about the difference arts, culture, heritage and screen makes to people’s lives.
DEADLINE: MON 20 FEB
For producers:
The wonderful team at ZooCo are looking for a producer for development, rehearsals and tour of Bossy, led by Black and deaf creatives. £5k fee for 20-25 days.
DEADLINE: MON 23 JAN
For performing arts professionals:
The International Touring and Environmental Responsibility Fund will support 10 artists and companies in England and 10 in Denmark to take part in a 3-month interactive online programme exploring key touring challenges and practical approaches to reducing carbon and environmental impacts. Participants will be invited to apply for funding in partnership with each other and up to 4 projects will get £20k to seed fund concepts originating from the programme!
DEADLINE: FRI 20 JAN
For queer-identifying dance artists:
Join brilliant choreographer Jonathan Watkins for a 5-day R&D process exploring LGBTQIA+ experiences and identity through movement, words, story and music. Paid £1,000 inclusive of travel (R&D takes place at Siobhan Davies Studios in London).
DEADLINE: FRI 3 FEB
For emerging theatre companies & practitioners:
BOLD MAKERS is a week-long residency opportunity to develop devised work. Get £1,000, one week of space with a potential sharing, time with a videographer to make a trailer, access training, and sessions with a specialist mentor: Nigel & Louise, Ray Young, or Figs in Wigs!
DEADLINE: FRI 13 JAN
For aspiring and early career producers aged 18-21:
Take part in a week of free training on the National Theatre’s How To Be A Producer course! Led by Tobi Kyeremateng, producer and founder of the Black Ticket Project, and featuring a host of cultural producers and mentors from across the creative industries.
DEADLINE: MON 16 JAN
That’s it for this week!
Really hope it’s useful. It’s a tough time for artists (and, well, everyone) at the mo so please look after each other out there. Let me know if you’re successful with your applications - I love hearing from you! And as always if you enjoy Opportunity Tuesday please share to help us reach the folks who need it most. I started it to try to level the playing field a bit, and every little helps.
Opportunity Tuesday will always be free to access, but if you can afford to chip in a little something to support me to keep it going, that would be hugely appreciated - just click the button below to support with £1 per week. (I’m freelance too!)
Thank you for your support, and I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. Good luck!
P.S. The part you’ve all been waiting for - Mabel and her friend Winnie say hi
Please note: Inclusion in #OpportunityTuesday is not endorsement. I look far and wide for the most interesting and exciting paid opportunities I can find, and though I do my best to make sure they’re legit, I don’t always know the organisations well. If you have an issue with something on the list, please get in touch with the relevant organisation. You are very welcome to send me opportunities to include, but please note I will not be able to respond to every request, and I do not guarantee inclusion in the list - each week is curated to be varied and relevant. Thanks!