Open Call
Support for creation and touring for new outdoor work in 2020 & 2021
Artists are invited to submit proposals for the next round of Without Walls grants, for new outdoor arts projects in any form which will premiere and tour in either 2020 or 2021. A further Open Call for 2021 projects will take place in 2020.
Without Walls Open Call - Webinar
Without Walls will host a Webinar on the 14th June, 4 – 5 pm to answer any questions, doubts or comments you might have.
Please, register your interest by emailing elena@xtrax.org.uk and submit your questions in advance.
The Webinar will be available on this page and on our Facebook page.
You can ask your questions live here or in the Facebook comments.
Important downloads
Apply online
Open Call 2020 & 2021
Without Walls supports the creation and touring of a range of exciting and ambitious outdoor projects of different genres, styles and forms by UK artists. Our main agenda is to support new work of the highest quality.
Artists are invited to submit proposals for the next round of Without Walls grants, for new outdoor arts projects in any form which will premiere and tour in either 2020 or 2021. A further Open Call for 2021 projects will take place in 2020.
Artists applying for creation support for projects that have been developed through the Without Walls Blueprint programme still need to apply through this same open call process, and all the applications that we receive will still be given the same level of consideration.
Purpose of this Open Call
Without Walls issues Open Calls to artists in order to ensure that all artists have the opportunity to present their ideas to the consortium in an equal and democratic way. We have found that this is a great way of finding out about new artists and projects – though the large response that we usually have to these Open Calls means that there are always far more projects than we are able to support. We very much value the work and time that artists put into these Open Calls and thank you in advance for your interest.
We try to keep the proposal forms as succinct as possible, hoping that they strike a balance between giving us the important information we need, without taking too much time for the artists to complete. All projects are read by the partners and we work together to select a programme that can work for all of the partners. This always involves lengthy negotiation between the partners as we have to manage multiple priorities and reach a consensus within a limited budget.
The deadline for receipt of proposals is 10am on Monday the 22nd of July.
Eligibility and guidance
- We are looking for work from all disciplines and genres, that is innovative and ambitious and challenges the idea of what outdoor arts can be.
- The work must be suitable for outdoor touring and artists should be committed to exploring touring opportunities for the works in addition to the Without Walls festivals.
- Proposals for work could be adaptable in scale, suitable for daytime and / or evening presentation and may also include promenade or processional based elements.
- Without Walls exists to support the development of new and ambitious work by UK artists; we can support projects that are developed in association with International artists, but the lead partner on the project must be based in the UK.
- Most projects supported by Without Walls are shows for which we have provided creation support. However, in some cases we will support the touring of a project that has already raised its creation costs, provided that the show has not already toured in the UK, and provided it clearly meets our priorities.
- For projects premiering in 2020: Please note the work should be available from May to September 2020 and be available to tour to Without Walls festivals where interest lies. Presentation dates for these festivals are listed on page 2. It is expected that shows selected for 2020 will also be available to tour from April – October 2021, allowing them to tour to our Touring Network Partner festivals, if required.
- For projects premiering in 2021: The work should be available from May to September 2021 and be available to tour to Without Walls festivals where interest lies. It is expected that shows premiering in 2021 will also be available to tour from April – October 2022, allowing them to tour to Touring Network Partner festivals, if required.
How to submit your proposal
Please ensure you read the relevant eligibility and guidance criteria.
All applications should be made online via www.withoutwalls.uk.com/open-calls
Please note that you will not be able to save your application as you go along, so we therefore recommend that you work on a draft and copy the contents once you have a finalised version that you are happy to submit. An application template is available.
When you have finalised the application, please click on ‘submit’. You will then receive an email confirming that your application has been received.
Projects selected for touring in 2020 will receive final notifications by the end of October 2019. Projects for 2021 will be notified whether they have been shortlisted by the end of October.
Access support
Without Walls is committed to ensuring that all our processes are as accessible as possible.
If you would like to receive the application materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request assistance with completing your application, please contact: adam@xtrax.org.uk providing an outline of your access requirements.
Anticipated Timeline
This open call has been brought forward to allow artists more creation time before the presentation of their projects, and as a response to feedback received in the past years.
Deadline for all submissions: 10am on Monday the 22nd of July 2019
Projects for presentation in 2020:
Notification of shortlisted projects: End of September 2019
Final decision: End of October 2019
Projects for presentation in 2021:
Notification of shortlisted projects: End of October 2019
Contact
For further information please contact the Without Walls management team, based at the XTRAX office on 0161 227 8383.