Following the success of the 2009 residencies, Beaford Arts’ Breathing Space 2010 programme for theatre makers and practitioners is now open for applications.

We are seeking  artists committed to producing and presenting theatre and performance work in Devon and the South West to utilise the facilities of the Beaford Arts Residential Centre to make new work as part of a creative retreat.

Beaford Arts is England’s longest running rural arts organisation set in North Devon’s stunning UNESCO Biosphere Reserve bounded by Exmoor, Dartmoor and the West Atlantic coast.   We are regularly funded by Arts Council England and Devon County Council to support the development and delivery of our activities. 

Beaford Arts works with a range of artists to engage in new ways with North Devon’s land, its people and the issues they face.  We aspire to be a Centre of Excellence in Rural Arts, and want to enable artists to spend creative time in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve accordingly.

Breathing Space – Creative Retreats

Beaford Arts Creative Retreats are three long weekends from November 2010 to March 2011 for companies or collectives of theatre makers to have a sustained period of time to develop new work or to experiment with and develop their practice. The weekends are linked and should be utilised as stages within the development of a piece of new work or the establishment of new practice.

The weekends will be hosted by Beaford Arts with support and professional advice on hand from members of staff.  As there will be up to four companies in residence on each weekend, there will also be opportunities to network and meet with other local practitioners.  We are seeking proposals from theatre making collectives or emerging theatre companies committed to producing and presenting work in Devon and the South West who would benefit from this opportunity.

The residencies enable artists to explore a wide range of themes, ideas and interests. Beaford Arts, as the rural arts organisation of England’s first new-style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, will give precedence to companies or collectives interested in theatre development around the broad theme of man’s relationship with the environment.

In addition, the UNESCO designation encourages a focus on sustainable rural communities. Through its events programme, Beaford Arts aims to promote performances which are suited to the non-traditional spaces available in rural areas. We are particularly keen to encourage applications from companies and collectives seeking to explore such work.

 

In summary

We are hoping that through these residencies:

• Theatre-makers will engage with the challenges and opportunities of creating and working in non-theatre spaces in the region.
• Theatre-makers can develop new connections with other local practitioners.
• Beaford Arts will help to encourage the development of new work originating from Devon and the South West.
• Theatre-makers will engage with north Devon Biosphere related issues and philosophy.

Facilities

The centre can accommodate up to 40 people in dormitory and individual rooms (of the latter there are only two) and has two studios, a music room (with grand piano), a lecture room, a multimedia suite, kitchen facilities, a common room and a very large field (with electricity and water supply)!  There is also a large hall with sprung wooden flooring adjacent to the centre which can be available.

 Breakfast and teas and coffees will be provided throughout the weekends.  A range of other catering options are available from self-catering to basic menus.

 

Eligibility:

You may apply as a collective of individuals interested in working together to create theatre, or as an existing theatre company.  We may match-make artists in the future, but for this residency we cannot accept applications from single individuals.  Preference will be given to proposals that explicitly address our key outcomes. All individuals within a collective or company must be aged 18 or over.

For more information about Beaford Arts: www.beaford-arts.org.uk

For more information about North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk

 

Applications

Proposals should be a maximum of two pages detailing:

• Your proposed activities over all three weekends with short and long term objectives for your group to achieve
• How your proposal matches with our preferred outcomes.
• Name and contact details of the lead applicant
• CV of the lead applicant

Please indicate names and members of your group and where they live and work, along with brief information about their professional experience.

Applications should be received by 30th July and selection will be completed by mid August. 

The dates for the residencies are as follows:

11th – 14th November 2010

20th – 23rd January 2010

17th – 20th March 2010

Companies or collectives should utilise all three weekends and must be present for the duration of those weekends.  Arrival on the first day is typically 6pm and departure on the final day is typically 4.30pm.

Please submit applications to:

Hannah Ashwell, Programming and Events Manager, Beaford Arts

Hannah[at]beaford-arts.org.uk

 

 

Venue:
Beaford Arts

Locality: South West

Contact Details

hannah ashwell, hannah [at] beaford-arts.org.uk |