From developing new ideas to taking work on tour across our region. Whether you’re creating for indoor or outdoor spaces, we offer opportunities to grow your practice, reach new audiences, and connect with communities.
Whether you’re developing brand new work or looking to tour an existing piece, our artist development programmes offer funding, mentoring, and touring opportunities for both indoor and outdoor work.
For Outdoor Work
Our Outdoor Touring Programme supports artists developing small-scale work designed for outdoor and community settings.
- Commissions of up to £5,000 to create small-scale outdoor work.
- Development funding of up to £2,500 to adapt existing shows for small-scale touring.
- Associated tour dates for commissioned companies across our regional network.
- Co-creation and participation commissions for artists who want to collaborate closely with communities and explore new ways of making work together.
- Annual Symposium – a one-day event offering practical advice and inspiration for artists curious about rural touring outdoors. Learn how rural touring works across the UK. Discover new touring opportunities. Free to attend, with travel bursaries available.
For Indoor Work
We help artists bring powerful performances to life in community venues across Kent, Sussex, and Essex.
- Indoor touring programme – connecting artists with local communities to reach new audiences
- Create Tour Connect – commission opportunity for new theatre work, followed by a national tour.
- Brighton Fringe Bursary – supporting theatre-makers creating work for adult audiences to showcase their shows at Brighton Fringe.
Additional Artist Support
We’re committed to nurturing talent from underrepresented backgrounds. Here’s how we offer support beyond commissioning and touring:
- Seed Funding – small grants (up to £500) to support early-stage development of new ideas for artists based in Kent, Essex and Sussex. Ideal for research, creative exploration, and early concept development.
- 1:1 Mentoring sessions – tailored advice from our Programme Lead to help you navigate funding, producing, and touring.
OPEN OPPORTUNITIES
Outdoor Touring 2026 Commissions and Development funds – deadline 5 September 2025
Create Tour Connect – commission and touring programme for adult theatre – deadline 27 October 2025
PAST ACTIVITY
Rural Touring 101 A one day training and development lab for artists in collaboration with 101 Outdoor Arts – 2025 (FREE)
Pitch Up: Canterbury – Helping theatre-makers and venues start conversations
Gravesham Performer and Maker Opportunities
Making More Waves Scratch Night supported by Applause
Rural Touring 101 A one day training and development lab for artists in collaboration with 101 Outdoor Arts – 2024
Co-commissions with 1DegreeEast and GDIF – 2024
Co-Commissions with Creative Estuary – 2023
Boost! Artists Lab produced by Applause and 101 Outdoor Arts with support from Creative Estuary and Queens Theatre, Hornchurch – 2022
Seed Funding opportunities supported by Creative Estuary and Mercury Theatre – 2022
Artists Lab in collaboration with 101 Outdoor Arts – 2021
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