Inspirate and Art Reach Artist Call-Out​

Beyond 2026, further funding will be provided to complete the creation process and share the work through both festivals as part of the 2027 programme.​​

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The Opportunity

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This co-commission supports South Asian artists to develop bold, environmentally conscious outdoor work. Proposals can be from a range of different artforms including theatre, dance, installation, music, visual arts, and multidisciplinary practice.

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We encourage proposals exploring, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Climate justice and environmental change – examining human impact on the planet, sustainability, and global environmental inequalities.

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• Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience – highlighting species, habitats, and the natural environment under threat.

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• Community and cultural responses to climate issues – how communities experience, adapt to, or resist environmental challenges.

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• Intergenerational dialogue and future imaginaries – exploring the legacy of climate change for future generations.

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• Connection to place and identity – how landscapes, cities, and cultural heritage intersect with environmental concerns.

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• Innovation in audience engagement – immersive, participatory, or interactive approaches that inspire reflection and action.

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Work should consider sustainable production and ethical practice including low-carbon, eco-conscious artistic methods, materials, and presentation.

Commission Details

£10,000 total commission fee, which will support the following:​

• A Research and Development process - including artist fees, materials, hire of space, all producing, production and festival sharing costs.

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• Sharings at An Indian Summer Festival and Journeys Festival.

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• Additionally the selected artist/company will receive mentoring, advice and creative support from Inspirate and Art Reach, and the festival production/tech teams for each festival will also support the sharing of work at both An Indian Summer and Journeys Festival.

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We’re Looking For

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• South Asian-led artists or companies

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• We welcome proposals from South Asian artists/companies across the UK. This includes artists whose heritage is from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan.

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• Strong artistic vision addressing climate or environmental themes.

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• Work designed for outdoor and public spaces.

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• Commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious creative practice.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the application form, which includes the following sections:

Details:

• Artist/Company:

• Lead contact name for this proposal, and preferred pronouns (e.g. he/him, she/her, they/them)

• Address

• Phone Number  

• Email 

• Access Requirements for lead contact 

• Region you are based in (London, Midlands, North, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

• Project Name - (this can be a working title)

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• Concept & Idea – Describe the work you want to create, its form, and intended audience - up to 300 words

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• Environmental & Climate Relevance – Explain why this project is important within the context of climate change and/or environmental issues - up to 200 words

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• Artistic Approach – Outline your creative approach and process, how you plan to research and develop this work - up to 200 words

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• Community Engagement - while this is not a compulsory part of this project, if engagement and/or socially engaged practice is part of your process, describe how you would integrate this into your project - up to 200 words

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• Outdoor Arts – Include how the work will be developed specifically for outdoor/public spaces - up to 200 words

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• Supporting Materials – Applicants can submit links to previous work, images, concept sketches, or videos. 

Budget outline:

• Provide a proposed budget, outlining how you will allocate the funds to support your R&D and sharing process, including artist/creative team fees, resources/materials, travel, transportation, accommodation, rehearsal space/studio hire etc.

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• Please mention any match funding or in kind support you’ve secured, although this is not a formal requirement for this application.​​​