Sefton Council are seeking local creatives and performers to be a part of the Big Top Festival program. They want bold, ambitious, and accessible work that celebrates the spirit of modern circus and engages audiences in joyful and unexpected ways.
They are looking for both medium and small scale works.
Medium Scale
A circus-based, clowning, or acrobatic proposal that can be performed outdoors to a diverse audience of all ages. The proposal can be for existing artistic shows, providing they fit the brief of circus, acrobatics, or clowning as detailed above. The performance within this proposal should last between 20–30 minutes and can be performed multiple times per day.
The total budget for these shows is £6,000 each. This does not include production.
Small Scale
A circus, clowning, acrobatic, walkabout, or processional proposal that can be performed outdoors without technical or production requirements and can be located in various locations across the town. The performance within this commission should last between 10–30 minutes and can be performed multiple times per day.
The total budget for these shows is up to £3,000 each with no additional production requirements.
What are they looking for?
Artists who:
· Have a track record of creating high-quality, ambitious, and accessible work.
· Can deliver exciting, engaging work within budget and within a given timeframe.
· They are particularly interested in working with artists from Southport, Sefton, and the wider Liverpool City region.
Process
Expression of Interest deadline (see below): Monday 19 January 2026
Shortlisting Outcome: Friday 23 January 2026.
Formal proposals due: 18 February 2026
Final commissions announced: 25 February 2026
Big Top Festival: 2–3 May 2026
How to apply
Please include the following in your expression of interest
1. Name
2. Where you are based
3. Which commissioning strand you are applying for
4. Portfolio or website link
A5. one-page document outlining initial performance ideas (if you would like to submit your proposal via audio or visual submission, please get in touch with Tourism@sefton.gov.uk
Indicative budget
Submit to Tourism@sefton.gov.uk before 12:00 on Monday 19 January 2026.