Community Post Type: Callouts

XTRAX Shorts gives outdoor artists and companies a platform to pitch their work to festival representatives, promoters and producers.

These are people who might like to commission and book work or support it through provision of rehearsal space, mentoring, or advocacy.

This year, 10 UK artists will be selected from an open call. Each will present a pre-recorded, five-minute pitch for a project that is ready or will be ready to tour from summer 2022-23. This will be followed by a live Q&A with promoters.

This event forms part of XTRAX & SIRF Showcase 2022 programme, which will feature a hybrid of online and in-person events for outdoor arts professionals. The Showcase and XTRAX Shorts will be hosted virtually on Swapcard – an enhanced online event platform that offers a wealth of opportunities for attendees and presenters to connect with each other and access useful resources.

Pitching applications are now open. The closing date for submission is: Tuesday 3 May 11:59pm (GMT).

How to apply

Download and read the guidance document

Complete the online application form

Alternative application formats

• You may also submit a written application. Find the application questions here.
• Should you prefer to submit your application in a video/audio format, please email your file to marketing@xtrax.org.uk. It should be no more than 2 minutes in length.
• For any questions or for support on accessing this opportunity in alternative formats, please contact us at marketing@xtrax.org.uk.

Who is eligible?

• Any UK artist or company from any artistic discipline working outdoors, with the ambition and ability to tour internationally with a finished work from August 2022 or a work in progress that will be ready to tour from 2023.
• Artists and companies presenting new work that has had little to no previous international exposure. If you would like to present a project that has been previously presented, please explain when and where it has been shown before and why it should be given this platform.
• Projects can be of any scale. Whilst they welcome proposals for large-scale projects, you should consider that most programmers will be looking for small and medium-scale work that can easily be toured abroad.
• If you have previously applied and were unsuccessful, you may re-apply.
• You may not submit work that has previously been pitched as part of the XTRAX & SIRF Showcase.
• Artists and companies performing at SIRF can apply; however, priority will be given to companies not already included in the festival programme.

Apply to pitch your work at the Outdoor Dance Showcase as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival 2022.

Hosted online and in Birmingham from 22-25 June 2022, the Outdoor Dance Showcase provides a platform for national and international promoters to connect and build meaningful relationships with a curated selection of outdoor dance artists looking to tour their work beyond borders.

Live performances, pitching sessions, informal networking opportunities and panel discussions: the Outdoor Dance Showcase creates spaces to foster fruitful international collaboration.

Pitch Your Work is an event that allows selected dance artists who are based and create work in England the opportunity to promote their current outdoor touring production as part of the Outdoor Dance Showcase.

If you have a finished or in-progress outdoor touring production, apply now to pitch your dance work to a group of international festival programmers and bookers at the Outdoor Dance Showcase 2022 this June.

Find the full application process and more information on the pitching opportunity: Apply to Pitch Your Work

Closing date for applications to pitch is 6 April, 2022

Curious Minds is pleased to offer 19 commissions for freelance independent creatives and arts organisations. This is to work in partnership to deliver out of school activities for children and young people aged 11 to 16 years in their local area.

There are 15 x £3,000 commissions and 4 x £8,000 commissions available.

They are particularly interested in working with Black, Asian, Ethnically Diverse and Disabled practitioners.

The commissions are for North West based freelancers and organisations, working across any artform (including, but not limited to, visual arts, theatre, dance, circus, music, literature and film). They want you to work with children and young people in your neighbourhood who are often excluded from the mainstream, and inspire and empower them through the arts.

They want to hear from you regardless of what stage of your career you are at. Successful applicants will also have access to a specially designed professional development training and support programme, which will run alongside their commission.

Who can apply?

Freelance practitioners and artists

Arts and culture organisations (please do not apply if you are a National Portfolio Organisation) *

Grassroots organisations

For further eligibility criteria, please refer to their Guidance for Applicants.

* If you are a large, established organisation and are interested in mentoring and supporting one of the projects or applicants, please contact saphena.aziz@curiousminds.org.uk.

How to apply

First, they highly recommend that you read the Guidance for Applicants document in full.

They are now accepting applications via this online form.

The closing date for receipt of application forms is midnight on Sunday 10th April 2022.

Please note that you will not be able to save and return to your online form. They therefore suggest you draft your responses separately and then transfer them into the form when you’re ready to submit. A list of the questions and the word counts is available here.

If you need support to complete the form, please email saphena.aziz@curiousminds.org.uk and they will be happy to assist.

They aim to acknowledge and respond to all applications within 10 days of the deadline passing.

Jimmy’s are launching their Open Mic night from 14th April and they are looking for musicians to come down and perform.

Play on their beautiful Baby Grand Piano or bring your own instruments. 

You don’t have to be a performer. If you just want to head down to Jimmy’s and enjoy a night of music then you are more than welcome to.

Visit this link to apply to play https://linktr.ee/jimmysgroup

ArtsGroupie are casting for the role of Charlie J in their upcoming production of The Liver Bird – a beautiful interactive theatre show.

Performances will take place at the amazing Shakespeare North Playhouse this July, and more dates in other venues tbc.

Casting Breakdown as follows:

Charlie J (Male 18+, they are looking for an engaging and energetic actor with a genuine love for reading and sharing stories).

An imaginative and playful 11yr old boy with his head in the clouds and his heart on his sleeve. Charlie J loves books,and hearing all the stories about Liverpool from his eccentric Nan. His infatuation with a Liver bird almost gets him into trouble, but with a little help from the audience and bit of magic all will be as calm as the Mersey in the end.

This is an equity contract agreement, and they are looking for professional Actors with an interest in new writing and family theatre.

Auditions to take place 1st April 4pm – 6pm at Liverpool Arts Bar

Please email artgroupie@outlook.com telling them your experience and why you are interested in this role.

(You must book a slot in order to be seen.)

Metal is excited to announce a call out for its 2022/2023 Artist-in-Residence programme, offering 12 opportunities to creatives who live and/or work locally to us. The offer is for a short period of focused research and development time for a new/existing project, or for a body of work that is already in development.

The opportunity is open to artists working in any artform and whilst it is not compulsory, we do have a particular interest in artists and ideas that respond in some way to Place – for example, through connections with people, passions, histories, landscape or other uniqueness of the places and communities that we are part of.

Individuals, collaborations, or collectives can apply and must be based in one of our local areas:

• Peterborough or Cambridgeshire and surrounding villages
• Liverpool City region (all boroughs)
• South Essex (Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea Borough, Thurrock)

If you have an queries, please contact the Metal site closest to your location (contact information below)

In response to the success of our hybrid model of residency, we will continue to offer this going forward. Artists can choose to work from home or in their own studio supported by Metal staff online, from our Metal spaces, or a combination of the two.

Metal’s Offer:

Each selected artist will receive a fee of £1000 paid in two instalments.

You can access up to 20 days of:-

● the facilities in our buildings including studio and rehearsal space

● staff time to support your research (e.g. mentoring and feedback sessions, brokering relationships with communities or support with funding applications).

You will also have the opportunity to participate in our other programmes including Metal New Artist Network (MNAN) and Future Network. We also offer sessions where the selected Artists-in-Residence can meet and share ideas and thoughts as part of a peer-to-peer network.

Examples of previous residencies:-

● Ryan Gilmartin developed an immersive video installation by remixing live and archival footage from the 50’s & 60’s to create an audio-visual experience about space and the moon.

● Artist and Filmmaker Amber Akaunu used the residency to create an open call out for people with afro hair to share their “Afro Hair Ritual” for a new film work.

● Sadie Davidson, an award-winning slam poet used the residency to explore her first memoir style novel

Feedback from previous artists in residence

‘My residency with Metal took place over the first lockdown. My plans completely changed, the residency was from home. The level of support I received was enormously helpful. I’ve never had the experience of working with an organisation that so completely believed in artists. It was life saving at a very difficult and stressful time.’

‘I felt really well supported. For months ahead of the residency, I was given access to the team at Metal in order to develop contacts, network, research, and to receive help with applying for ACE funding. The actual time spent in physical residence was divided into a series of visits and so it felt much longer than a month. I loved the opportunity to host a networking dinner party, and met some really interesting people in a way that was much more informal.’

‘I did not expect it to kick off so much connection and interaction locally, which has been an absolute joy.’

‘It gave us money and time to develop an existing project. It was well supported, and Metal really put the artist at the centre of the residency which opened many other doors for us.’

‘It was extremely helpful to be surrounded by an organisation who clearly believed in what we were doing. Our confidence when talking about our work has improved so much more!’

‘The residency allowed me to pilot ideas and test out research models ready to apply for an Arts Council Project Grant.’

How do I apply?

In the application form we ask you to share with us:

• How you will use this opportunity (your research idea); how it will develop your practice; and what relevant help you think we can provide (300-500 words)
• Your biography with examples of your previous work (images, videos, audio files, written texts)
• Your CV (optional)
• Audio or video files are welcome as an alternative to a written application, but must be  within 8 minutes.

If you have any other questions or you would like to suggest a way to make this process more accessible, please get in touch with your local site administrator.

To start your application, click HERE.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 11 April 2022
Notification: All artists will be notified of the outcome by the week commencing the 2 May
Residency period: All month-long residencies will take place between May and October 2022.  There will be a second residency call out in August 2022, these residencies will take place between October 2022 – March 2023
Number of Residencies available: 12 in total (4 at each location: Liverpool, Peterborough, Southend) another 9 will be available in the second call out in autumn 2022.
Offer: £1000 fee, use of Metal facilities and resources, staff time

Apply to audition for ‘The Moondogs’ stage production now.

They’re looking for:

• A male aged 20-30 to play the role of John Lennon (Must be able to sing and play guitar to a high standard)
  – Based on John Lennon pre 1965.

Non-Singing roles:

• A female aged 35-49 to play Louise Harrison
  – George’s Mum, bubbly kind, mothers everyone.
• A male aged 46-60 to play Jim McCartney
  – Paul’s Dad, hard working, wants the best for his son, funny without trying
• A male aged 16-20 to play Michael McCartney
  – Paul’s Brother, teenager, him and Paul constantly bickering

Production Type: Stage
Production Dates: Late May/Early June
Compensation: Profit Share
Location: Liverpool Arts Bar, 22 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BY
Audition Dates: Saturday2nd April @ 12 noon
Application Closing Date: Friday 1st April @ 4pm

To apply, please send your Spotlight or Opening Nights Directory profile to hello@likemindedproductions.co.uk along with any relevant video and audio clips of your work.

If you don’t have Spotlight or Opening Nights Directory profile, please send your CV and Headshot to hello@likemindedproductions.co.uk

A new market celebrating female-founded businesses is coming to Liverpool. Not Your Babe are looking for womxn creatives to be part of their Matriarch Markets.

Taking place on the first and third weekend of each month in quirky locations around the city, there will be a mix of creative market stalls, live music performances, Tarot readings and much more.

Whether you’re a baker, potter, painter, performer or a spiritual sister, Not Your Babe want you.

Not Your Babe’s events are open to attendees of all gender identity, but focus on showcasing 100% female-identifying and womxn-owned businesses and performers.

Click here to apply now.

Musicians from across the North of England – discover new ways to make music with eco-friendly, afrofuturist punks Fulu Miziki Kolektiv.

Explore the sound and aesthetic of afrofuturism and DIY music, and how musicians can rebuild and re-purpose their surroundings to create new music.

Across five days in May you’ll work with Fulu Miziki Kolektiv to:

• Collaborate and create new music with other musicians
• Experiment with rhythm and arrangement, moving between rehearsal space and recording studios to develop and record ideas
• Learn about Fulu Miziki Kolektiv’s unique relationship between live performance and ‘in-the-box’ production
• Use found materials to create music
• Discover new techniques, recording ideas and song arrangements in the studio

This project is open to people who are:

• Aged 18+
• Based in the North of England
• Producers, singers, rappers or instrumentalists from any background, discipline or genre. You’ll have a strong track record of writing, producing and performing, and a growing online presence
• Available for all the project dates below

Project Dates

Monday 16-Friday 20 May (10am-6pm) at District and GoPlay Studio in Liverpool.

They can cover travel and accommodation costs for those who need it, plus a £25 daily allowance.

Get Involved

To register your interest, all you need to do is complete an online application form* by 9am on Friday 29 April. You can either apply in writing, or by submitting an audio or video file.

APPLY IN WRITING

APPLY VIA AUDIO/VIDEO

If you have any questions please email Jonas.

*They’re committed to supporting and meeting the needs of people with learning difficulties or disabilities. If you have any specific access needs relating to completing the form, please let us know. Contact us at info@brightersound.com or 0161 546 5334.

About Fulu Miziki Kolektiv

Fulu Miziki Kolektiv is an Eco-Friendly-Afro-futuristic-Punk-Assemble collective of artists who come straight from a future where humans have reconciled with mother earth and with themselves. This multidisciplinary collective of artists are based in the heart of Africa, in the Congolese capital city Kinshasa.

For several years now, its members have conceptualised an orchestra made from objects found in the trash, constantly changing instruments, always in search of new sounds.Making their own instruments, performance costumes, and masks is essential to the approach of the collective’s core musical ideology.

Their unique sound supports a pan-African message of artistic liberation, peace and a severe look at the ecological situation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the whole world. For Fulu everything can be recovered and re-enchanted.