Aspiring York artists invited to apply for arts and performance support

Twelve creative organisations in York have come together to offer an artist incubation programme for emerging artists that are based in the local region and create live performance work.  

SLAP (Supporting Live Art & Performance) are inviting individual artists and companies living in the YO postcode area to apply to be a part of the programme. Each successful artist or company will receive a tailored package of support for one year.  

Artists have until Monday 3 January to apply online: https://slapyork.co.uk/ 

As the arts and performance sector faces ongoing challenges as a result of the pandemic, this is a critical time to support local talent. This project will support 6 emerging artists or companies to develop both their artistic practise and their business knowledge. The support includes:   

• A year of producing support from SLAP 
• 6 training sessions covering a wide range of areas that are essential to being a working artist 
• £1000 bursary 
• Production budget 
• Tailored photoshoot to create high quality marketing images 
• Creative commission 
• Two weeks residency space at one of the partner venues 
• Opportunities to deliver workshops 
• Use of a City Centre office space 
• Performance date at one of the partner venues 
• Documentation of your live performance 

Lydia Cottrell, Director of SLAP said:  

“As part of York’s Creative Future: York Culture Strategy Launch I was lucky enough to chair the panel discussion Children, Young People and Talent Pipeline this facilitated a wide range of discussion on how York could support its emerging artists living and working in the City. From these discussions we felt that there was a real need for York to have a dedicated artist development programme, that partners across the wide range of cultural organisations in York. To support the development of new talent, motivated by the importance of keeping art and artists here in the North. Showcasing York as a creative hub and a city that supports artist development and the creation of new work. 

“During 2020 SLAP switched focus from creating live events and festivals, to focusing on supporting emerging artists throughout the pandemic. Artist development has always been a core value for SLAP and is our main passion. We feel that we are uniquely situated as a company to be able to deliver and provide artist support and develop relationships between artists and the cultural organisations in York. 

“I am so excited that 12 organisations have come together to offer opportunities to emerging artists working in the region. This project will also enable SLAP to focus on our ongoing aspiration to curate and present more accessible and inclusive performance works for audiences in the city. BSL, audio descriptions, pay what you can tickets, building accessibility, community participation and children’s work.”  

Dr Sarah O’Brien, Associate Head: Performance at York St John University said:  

“At York St John University, social justice is the driving force for many of our projects and research. For the SLAP incubation programme we are commissioning an artist or company of artists to create a project that engages a community of their choice. This will mean working closely with that community towards establishing the work and bringing it together. We are also very keen to support grass roots artists in York and encourage arts graduates to apply.   

“Artists programmes like these are rare yet so important to those early career artists who need to establish or widen their network and who would also like to receive close and guided mentorship from more experienced established artists. We welcome applications from emerging artists who have recently graduated and who wish to pursue a career in the arts as an artist-maker, performer or facilitator.” 

Helen Apsey, Head of Culture and Wellbeing at Make It York said:   

"At Make It York, we're delighted to be supporting SLAP's artist incubation project. This is a really important, innovative and collaborative project, which lives the values of the York Culture Strategy - by enabling creative practitioners to build their career in York, supporting the growth and diversity of the local economy, and driving up levels of creative activity in our city.   

"SLAP have a brilliant track record of supporting artists and we're really excited to see how this project develops. We'd encourage local artists and companies in York to apply to be a part of this new and dynamic programme." 

Hannah Hardcastle, Accessible Arts & Media Programme Manager said:  

“We're super-excited to be working with an emerging artist to tackle this tough question, what does inclusive theatre look like to you? Our participants will benefit so much from working with a disabled artist where they can express their voices with someone who understands the frustrations that can arise in the arts world.  AAM wants to see an inclusive society where everyone gets the chance to shine. Thanks to this residency in partnership with SLAP and York Theatre, we're helping to make this happen in York.”  

This project has been made possible with the support of the following organisations: Arts Council England, Accessible Arts & Media, Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual Limited, Guild of Media Arts, Kaizen Arts CIC, Make It York, Mediale, York Museums Trust, York Music Venue Network, York St John University, York Theatre Royal and Yorkshire Dance.