Stomping Ground Commission Call Out

Stomping Ground, a commissioning group comprised of FABRIC, FESTIVAL.ORG, The Place, Tramway, Strike A Light and presentation partner Sismògraf Festival in Olot, Catalonia, is seeking proposals for bold, original and ambitious dance works made for outdoor spaces, beginning Summer 2024 and beyond.

This opportunity calls for artists interested in making compelling work that can grab the attention and imaginations of audiences through presentations suitable for urban, rural, festival or high street spaces and prioritises sustainability in the ideas, creation and touring.

The chosen project will receive a £22,500 commission towards an original work to be presented from summer 2024 and beyond.

For the 2024 commission applicants are invited to consider social and environmental responsibility in the ideas contained in the work, and in the methods of creation & touring.  This commissioning focus has been led by new partner, Sismògraf Festival in Olot, Catalonia.

Stomping Ground is seeking proposals that: are originally conceived as outdoor works (rather than work which has previously been made for indoor spaces); are adaptable to a variety of locations, with the potential to be scaled to different contexts, conceived with touring potential in mind; respond to, or engage with, the world we’re living in now; consider how outdoor work can engage a mix of committed attendees & passersby; and Stomping Ground encourages artists who don’t have experience in outdoor performances provided they have an experienced team behind them with experience in the outdoor sector.

The commissioners are interested in hearing from dance makers who: are UK based; have a track record of making and presenting work in a range of professional contexts; are interested in how outdoor work can inspire audiences from the broadest range of backgrounds; are seeking to engage with inspiring artists as part of their creative team (e.g. music, design, theatre, circus) and/or other disciplines (e.g. architecture, town planning); might not necessarily define themselves as ‘dance makers’ but create performance with a strong and distinctive movement. Applications from artists from other disciplines who use movement in their practice are welcome; and are committed to exploring more sustainable ways of making and touring.

Stomping Ground commissions will reflect the range of artists in the UK. Applications from those who are currently underrepresented in the dance sector, including but not limited to, deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists, artists from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, artists who experience racism, artists with care responsibilities and artists who are LGBTQIA+ are strongly encouraged.

The deadline for applications is Monday 18 September, 12pm.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by Friday 6 October. 

Click here to learn more and apply.