ARTIST
CALL OUT
Five paid residencies.
Space to experiment.
Room for new ideas.
We’re thrilled to announce five paid artist residencies for the next Newport Live Act Fringe Festival — a celebration of bold ideas and boundary-pushing performance.
Applications open: 11 December 2026
Application deadline: 7 January 2027
Residency dates: 8–21 March 2027
Support: £2,000 (GBP) per residency
Creu yn Gymraeg? Rydyn ni eisiau clywed gennych chi.
Creating in Welsh? We want to hear from you.
Rydyn ni’n arbennig o awyddus i dderbyn ceisiadau gan artistiaid sy’n siarad Cymraeg a chan y rhai sydd am ddatblygu gwaith perfformio Cymraeg neu ddwyieithog. Boed y Gymraeg yn ganolog i’ch ymarfer neu’ch bod am arbrofi â hi mewn ffordd newydd, dewch â’ch syniadau i Casnewydd
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We particularly encourage applications from Welsh-speaking artists and those looking to develop Welsh-language or bilingual performance. Whether Welsh is central to your practice or something you want to explore in a new way, bring your ideas to Newport.
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Your ideas. Your practice.
If your work lives anywhere in the world of performance — Theatre, Dance, Circus, Puppetry, Physical Theatre, Clown, Comedy, Performative Installation, Immersive or Site-Specific work, or any hybrid you’ve invented yourself — we want to hear from you.
If you consider what you do to be performance, this call-out is for you.
For two weeks, each artist, company or collaboration will take over space in the heart of Newport.
We welcome applications from across Wales and beyond. If you’re travelling, please factor accommodation and travel into your budget.
We’re excited to see work that is in the very early stages of its development, focusing on a seed of an idea or concept that really needs 2 weeks of time and space.
We do expect you and your collaborators to be present in Newport for the duration of this time as we aim to have regular check-ins and support you as a co-hort of makers.
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You should think about cost and if you’ll be working with others, and we expect to see all of this worked out in your budget. If you are traveling from abroad, you may need to consider Visa applications and conversion rates.
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Two weeks to explore
The Callout: Spend 8–21 March 2027 exploring, dreaming, building and experimenting. Develop something brand new or carve out space for a spark that’s been waiting to grow.
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Each residency comes with £2000 to cover your fee and all associated costs and expenses. You’ll be given space in Newport and use ‘The Place’, our creation space, as your central development site, however we encourage you to be flexible with where your work is shared.
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Because you’ll be sharing at one of our diverse independent venues across the city as part of the Fringe weekend festival, we’re asking artists to embrace the restrictions of limited tech, minimal production with a flexible approach to sharing and development.
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At the end of the residency, all artists will get a venue and performance slot to share up to 45 minutes of their work with a live audience. Together, these sharings will create a weekend of performances, conversations and encounters at Newport Live Act Fringe, 19 - 21st March 2027.
Whilst all venues will have a technician, it may be wise to consider someone who can support you in the sharing of your work like a stage manager.
FAQ's
Alla i wneud cais yn Gymraeg?
Gallwch. Rydyn ni’n croesawu ceisiadau yn Gymraeg neu’n Saesneg. Bydd pob cais yn cael ei asesu yn ôl yr un meini prawf.
Can I apply in Welsh?
Yes. We welcome applications in Welsh or English. All applications will be assessed against the same criteria.
I’ve already applied to the Fringe with the same idea. Can I also apply for Creative Curation?
Yes. Applying for Creative Curation will not affect your Fringe application.
What if my Creative Curation application is unsuccessful?
Unsuccessful artists will still have an opportunity to put their work forward for the festival. We’ll be in touch with further information.
Can I apply again if I’ve previously been awarded a Creative Curation residency?
Unfortunately not. This opportunity is for artists who have not previously had their work funded by the programme.
My previous application was unsuccessful. Can I reapply?
Yes — we’d love to hear from you again.
My idea requires additional staff or production support that I cannot cover within my budget. What should I do?
This may not be the right development scheme for your project if it depends on resources you cannot fund. However, we may be able to support applications for additional funding by offering support in kind. Please get in touch to discuss what might be possible.
My practice needs very specific development space, such as high ceilings for circus or consideration for access, how should I include this?
We welcome a range of performance forms to apply for the scheme, however we must consider whether the spaces we have access to are safe and suitable. If you have a particular need for your artform or for access please articulate this in your application and include additional documents such as specifications and riders.
Music is part of my practice. Can I apply?
Yes. Although this call-out is not for standalone music acts, you can apply if live music or sound forms part of a wider performance concept.
When will I hear the outcome of my application?
Artists will be contacted no later than 31 January 2027.
What does the £2,000 cover?
The £2,000 is the total amount available per residency and must cover any professional fees/expenses, all production expenses, travel & accommodation if applicable.
I'm not familiar with Newport, what support is available if I am relocating?
Our artists’ welcome pack includes information about lower-cost travel and accommodation options. Tin Shed also has a theatre digs list. Although all costs must be included in your budget or sourced from elsewhere, we hope to support you as best we can to keep costs low. If your costs are likely to exceed the amount offered, we recommend seeking additional financial support.
Before you apply
Please make sure your application is complete and that all required supporting documents are included.
Incomplete applications, or applications missing required supporting documents, cannot be considered by the panel and will be rejected.
Applications close on 7th January 2027. Applications received after this date cannot be considered.