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New Works

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Image: Canberra Theatre Centre – About New Works Video

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN

If you’re a maker of new performance work with a strong connection to Canberra and you’re ready to progress your ambition and idea, we want to hear from you.

Expressions of interest are now open for the New Ideas Lab and two exciting Creative Development opportunities in 2024. Expressions of interest will close 4pm, Monday 4 December 2023.

NEW WORKS INFORMATION SESSION

Learn about the New Works program and hear questions about the opportunities and EOI process.

We recorded the online information session presented on Tuesday 14 November from 5:30pm via Teams. 

Click here to view the recording (with captions) of this session.

2024 OPPORTUNITIES APPLICATION TIMELINE:

  • EOIs Open: Friday 3 November 2023
  • Information session: 5.30pm, Tuesday 14 November 2023
  • EOI Closing Date: 4pm, Monday 4 December 2023
  • Applicants Notified: by Friday 22 December 2023

NEW IDEAS LAB

Do you have the seed of a new idea that could use some help to grow?
Are you interested in exploring your idea in collaboration with other artists, producers, and mentors?

Canberra Theatre Centre will host four Canberra-based or connected artists to take part in the next iteration of the New Ideas Lab!

Live performance makers who have the beginnings of a new idea are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to take part in a 5-day, immersive lab at Canberra Theatre Centre from:

Monday 20 May – Friday 24 May 2024

The Lab will allow each artist to explore their idea in a collaborative context, working to develop the artistic concept and the planning for the work. With sessions led by producers, dramaturgs, production managers, performers, marketing experts and other artists, the New Ideas Lab will be an opportunity to dig deep into a new idea in multiple ways, preparing to pitch the idea and take it to next stage under mentorship from industry experts.

Participating artists are required to be present for the whole week and will be paid a fee of $1250.

EOIs are welcome from professional artists with a strong connection to Canberra, and from any live performance artform.

EOIs close: 4pm, Monday 4 December 2023
SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

The New Works creative development opportunities supports the development of original live performance works in the journey towards presentation.

We are looking for exciting, timely and compelling ideas that are ready for studio time beyond the seeding and research stage and has potential be part of future Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) programming.

The two (2) Creative Development opportunities will provide a total project budget of up to $10,000 per development to cover a range of possible project expenses including artist fees, mentor fees, technical costs, and other project expenses. Additionally, artists will have in-kind access to the Courtyard Studio. Applicants will be asked to provide a realistic budget of expenditure to accompany the project description. Applicants are encouraged to prioritise artist/s fees as the first consideration in their proposed budget, with other project costs considered next.

In 2024 we are offering a range of dates for development activities between February and June. The creative development must run for a minimum of 5 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) as part of this opportunity. Final dates will be decided in consultation with successful applicants based on nominated preferences.

The creative development period will conclude in a development showing in a format suitable to the project.

  • CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT – DANCE / PHYSICAL THEATRE / CIRCUS

AWARDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AUSDANCE ACT

EOIs close: 4pm, Monday 4 December 2023
SUBMIT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

  • CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT – THEATRE / COMEDY / MUSIC / PUPPETRY / MULTI ARTS

EOIs close: 4pm, Monday 4 December 2023
SUBMIT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FAQs

Who can apply?
Individual artists, arts workers, and cultural practitioners who live and work in the ACT and surrounding regions (or have a demonstrated connection to or practice in the ACT); are over 18 years of age; practice across live art forms including theatre, dance, physical theatre and circus, performance art, puppetry, music, film, and theatre design, or have a multi-disciplinary or interdisciplinary arts practice.

Artists, Arts Workers, or Cultural Practitioners who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, living with disability, linguistically or culturally diverse, or are parents of young children are particularly encouraged to apply.

You can apply as an individual artist or a group, however please choose one person to be the applicant and main contact for the project.

What are the New Ideas Lab dates in 2024?
Monday 20 May – Friday 24 May inclusive.

What dates are available for creative developments in 2024?
Applicants will be asked to select two date ranges in order of preference. The following dates are available:

  • 5 – 9 February (Playhouse Reception Room only)
  • 19 – 24 February
  • 1 – 5 April
  • 8 – 12 April
  • 6 – 10 May
  • 13 – 17 May
  • 3 – 7 June
  • 10 – 14 June
  • 17 – 21 June

CTC will aim to facilitate your preference in consultation with you.

What to submit?
Applicants will need to provide information on:

  • the project you want to develop
  • who you are what your practice is
  • the resources you require for the development (people, spaces, equipment)
  • a breakdown of the project budget – indicative budget only
  • an explanation of how your practice is connected to Canberra
  • examples of previous work

Submissions can be written, or a combination of written and video.
Please submit your application via the link provided.

How is the project budget distributed?
The creative development budget is not awarded as a grant. Final project budget will be determined collaboratively based on the requirements of the project, up to an amount of $10,000, at the discretion of CTC. CTC will manage all project expenses.

Please note:

  • Cost of venue is provided in-kind and in addition to the amount available to fund project costs – that is, not counted as part of the $10,000.
  • Any technical costs your project might require will be budgeted as part of the project costs and is not provided in-kind.
  • Consider an amount of money to cover documentation. Good documentation can help you tell the story of your work to future supporters or programmers of the work.
  • Your total project budget doesn’t have to equal $10,000. If what you want to do will cost less, that is ok – it must be feasible.

There is a separate accessibility budget to cover some access costs. If your project requires costs relating to access, you should include the true costs of accessibility you require in your project budget. Please get in contact to discuss further.

Accessibility
CTC are committed to providing accessible and inclusive opportunities to artists with lived experience of disability. If you have access requirements, please get in contact with us before you apply. We will support artists with access requirements to apply for and engage in the creative development. You are welcome to be accompanied by a support person in any engagement with CTC, including in the development of your application.

How does CTC program?
We program a broad range of work across all live performance genres across all three venues. We are excited by creative expressions that:

  • contain timely, unique, or compelling ideas;
  • is contemporary and innovative, or rigorous in form or content;
  • brings a new perspective to how we understand the world;
  • highly quality;
  • presents partnership opportunities with other producers of live performance, and
  • will excite existing audiences and attract new audiences to CTC.

What is the outcome of the creative development period?
The creative development is not an opportunity for presentation.

  • The development goals will be determined by artists in consultation with CTC and should be appropriate to the stage of development of the material.
  • You will present a development showing to demonstrate actual development of project and receive feedback on next steps.
  • CTC has first right of refusal to the presentation of your work when it is presentation ready. Developing work through the New Works program does not guarantee that your work will be produced by CTC, nor does it mean that you can’t present your work in another venue. This will be an open and on-going discussion between you and CTC.
  • You are encouraged to research and access a range of opportunities in the development of your work in the ACT, interstate, or internationally to build your work and arts practice over time.

Need more help?
Applicants are warmly encouraged to get in contact with CTC to discuss their application as they prepare their EOI. Contact Creative Producer Rochelle Whyte at Rochelle.Whyte@act.gov.au.

You can also contact Cathy Adamek at director.act@ausdance.org.au, if you have specific movement project-related questions or application advice.

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