Opportunities

We know that scale can be difficult to measure in the outdoor arts, as the conditions vary greatly from performance made for theatres. We want to give an opportunity to make work larger than you might otherwise, and are happy for you to tell us how this is the case - will you work with more people, or a larger footprint or set than you’ve had before? How can we help you engage with bigger audiences?

Our residential lab will form part of SURGE’s annual residency for outdoor artists in rural Argyll. Across 5 days (18th – 23rd of January) you will have access to mentoring in producing and directing to support the development of your idea, while meeting other artists from early and mid-career stages. The development will be loosely structured, but self-led by artists.

At the end of the week, you won’t be expected to have a finished production, but a clear and exciting pitch to take forward to producers, venues and funders.

We will provide travel, food and accommodation for your stay, and a stipend of £602 per working group member.

Following these pitches, we hope to take forward one idea to realisation, funding and developing a commission for Merchant City Festival in 2027.

This opportunity is for artists or companies with some experience of creating and delivering work outdoors.  You should understand the sector and have a confident artistic practice that you are hoping to develop. Working groups of 1 – 3 people are welcome to apply to the lab – though the project may envision a larger cast and crew.

Your commission application should outline an initial idea, with the potential to develop into a mid-scale project. It should be speculatively realised within a budget of £40,000. We are open to projects with foundations in circus, dance, physical theatre or other outdoor performance.

We hope to support the development of work which can be presented at multiple sites and festivals but the potential performance should fit within the parameters of Merchant City Festival meaning: 

• Suitable for an urban summer festival which takes place on busy pedestrianised streets of Glasgow’s city centre
• Accessible to a range of audiences 
• Possible engagement with the politics of Glasgow’s city centre, colonial context and/or contemporary issues. 

Please submit no more than 600 words or 4 minutes of audio or video (in English or BSL) on the idea you would like to develop, and how this opportunity would support you and your practice.

Separate to the word count, please let us know how many people would make up your working group, who they are and any access provisions which would support their attendance at our residency.

You may also submit evidence of your work, in the form of a website link or digital portfolio.

• You must be fully available for the dates of the lab residency which are 18th – 23rd of January inclusive.
• You must be able to commit to a commission which will be developed over 2026/7 and perform at Merchant City Festival 2027.
• You must be a Scotland-based company or artist, with some experience of outdoor arts. 

Deadline to apply is Monday 17th November 10am.  

Two open information sessions will be held on Thursday 30th of November at 1pm and 5pm please register for either session by emailing christiana.bissett@glasgowlife.org.uk

We endeavour to inform successful applicants by Friday the 21st of November.