Diverse Actions is a Live Art UK initiative which champions culturally diverse (BAME: Black and Minority Ethnic) ambition, excellence and talent in Live Art.  Diverse Actions builds on Live Art’s vital role as a practice of artistic innovation and a space to express complex ideas of cultural identity.

Black Gold Arts brings together established and emerging artists of colour from dance, theatre, film and live and performance art, with new work, critically acclaimed pieces, and some stuff just for fun. A force, led by artists, working for artists.

Both commissions offer the opportunity for an exciting, engaging and radical BAME live artist or performance maker to create a new solo show, over an extended period of time and with dramaturgical/R&D support.

Each commission winner will receive a £2,000 commission fee, additional financial contribution (of up to £6,000) for dramaturgical, technical and marketing support, as well as rehearsal space and sharing opportunities. As the culmination of the commission, the final pieces will be programmed to première to audiences in Manchester. The Queer Contact commission will be presented in February 2020 during the annual Queer Contact festival, and The Black Gold Arts commission in March 2020.

The Queer Contact commission: is open to a BAME LGBTQ+ artist, who is aged 18+.

The Black Gold commission: is open to a BAME artist who is aged 18+.

If you are LGBTQ+ artist and wish to be considered for both commissions, you can request this on application.

Although you do not have to live or work in exclusively in Manchester, you will be expected to spend time developing the work in Manchester, and to undertake a minimum of 2 weeks of R&D here (dates to be confirmed in consultation). There is a travel and accommodation allocation within the commission offer, but further funding opportunities and partnerships could be sought to bolster this. Contact will assist with any funding applications to further support the work.

Deadline 

Monday 25 February at 12PM.

Shortlisted candidates (as below) will be invited for a selection day with Contact, Diverse Actions and Black Gold team on at Contact on Friday 22 March.