Opportunity
Vital Spark artists: applications open!
Development programmes for under-represented artists in Performance for Young Audiences (PYA).
There are two brilliant opportunities on offer. The Artist Relationship Programme offers paid time to develop your craft through a residential coaching program. The Ideas Fund is paid time for you to develop the early stages of your idea for the PYA sector. You can apply for either or both of these opportunities below.
About these opportunities
What is the Ideas Fund?
An opportunity for artists to receive financial support and expertise at the early stages of development of a new piece of work created for children and young people (0-13).
What is the Relationship Programme?
It is for artists who are interested in developing their artistic practice and processes to make, create and invent exciting new work for children’s audiences. We will work with four artists who will take part in trips, training and coaching activities.
Next steps
Follow the steps below to find out more about each opportunity, prepare, and submit an application. Guidance has been made available in the following formats:
- Full colour PDF
- ‘Easier read’ PDF (larger text and fewer graphics)
- Plain text Microsoft Word document
- BSL information packs
- Audio described MP3 information packs and submission guides
Key dates
1. Find out more
Learn more about each of these opportunities by reading or listening to the Information Packs below. Choose the format that works best for you.
The deadline for applications has now been extended to 23rd September.
If you would like to discuss the programmes further, please contact our Vital Spark Lead, Tanya Akrofi, to arrange a one to one call at vitalsparklead@thesparkarts.co.uk.
Relationship Programme
Ideas Fund
2. Preparing an application
You can prepare a written, audio, or video application. To get started, review the application questions below. Choose the download format that works best for you – you could even use the plain text document as a template to start preparing your answers or make some notes. You can apply to both programmes by submitting a joint application if you like.
Relationship Programme
Ideas Fund
Joint application
3. Submitting an application
Once you have thought about how you will respond to the application questions, you can complete a written, audio, or video application. Your application will be submitted to our online portal. Use the guidance below to begin submitting your application. Choose the download format that works best for you.
Written submissions
Audio or video submissions
4. Submission portal
You can complete a written, audio, or video application using our online portal. Access the portal using the links below.
- The application form in the link provided is designed to create a streamlined approach to our recruitment process.
- If this form presents you with any access issues, please contact us directly on jobs@thesparkarts.co.uk if you need any assistance with your application.
- We anonymise all applications and your personal details will be withheld from our interview panel.
- The maximum file size for each item is 500MB. If your files are larger, consider creating a zip file or uploading from Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, or OneDrive via URL in the weblink box provided within the form.
- Please note that file cannot be saved in draft versions of the form and will need to be uploaded at point of submission.
