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The Contact Diverse Actions Commissions offer the opportunity for exciting, engaging and radical BAME live artists or performance makers to create a new solo show in association with Black Gold Arts

The commissions:

This year, Contact is pleased to present two commissions: Contact and Diverse Actions – Queer Contact Commission and Contact and Diverse Actions – Black Gold Arts Commission.

Both commissions offer the opportunity for an exciting, engaging and radical BAME live artist or performance maker to create a new solo show, over an extended period of time and with dramaturgical/R&D support.

Each commission winner will receive a £2,000 commission fee, additional financial contribution (of up to £6,000) for dramaturgical, technical and marketing support, as well as rehearsal space and sharing opportunities. As the culmination of the commission, the final pieces will be programmed to première to audiences in Manchester. The Queer Contact commission will be presented in February 2020 during the annual Queer Contact festival, and The Black Gold Arts commission in March 2020.

Who can apply?

Both commissions are open to BAME Live Art artists or contemporary theatre/performance makers who explore live art practices, and who have an idea for a new, ambitious solo performance piece.

You may be an emerging or more established artist, but you should have experience in creating and staging your work for professional contexts.

The Queer Contact commission: is open to a BAME LGBTQ+ artist, who is aged 18+.

The Black Gold commission: is open to a BAME artist who is aged 18+.

If you are LGBTQ+ artist and wish to be considered for both commissions, you can request this on application.

Although you do not have to live or work in exclusively in Manchester, you will be expected to spend time developing the work in Manchester, and to undertake a minimum of 2 weeks of R&D here (dates to be confirmed in consultation). There is a travel and accommodation allocation within the commission offer, but further funding opportunities and partnerships could be sought to bolster this. Contact will assist with any funding applications to further support the work.

How to apply:

Please complete the statement of interest form, downloadable from the Contact Theatre’s page below, describing who you are (performance history and style) and your idea for a new solo performance (this can also be sent as an audio or video recording, if more accessible for you).
Send a video clip (up to 5 minutes) of your work, on DVD or as a link to online content.
Please complete the Inclusion and Diversity form, also downloadable from the Contact Theatre’s page below.

Contact Diverse Actions Artist Commissions ‘19 (Queer Contact & Black Gold)

Process:

Shortlisted candidates (as below) will be invited for a selection day with Contact, Diverse Actions and Black Gold team on at Contact on Friday 22 March. It is important that all shortlisted artists are available for this time. Please note we cannot cover travel expenses to attend the selection day, but we can discuss the possibilities of a remote interview if required.

Deadline for application:

Send your application form, along with any footage of your work) and a completed Inclusion and Diversity form with the subject title of ‘Diverse Actions Commission’ to: roxannemoores@contactmcr.com by Monday 25 February at 12PM. The file size limit is 5MB. Enquires can also be sent to the above address.

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