Belgrade and Shoot Festival online show gives performers the chance to shine
THE show will go on for up-andcoming artists in Coventry with an online ‘scratch’ event where they share rapidly-made work using the power of imagination.
The Belgrade Theatre is supporting Shoot Festival’s idea, where creative types can share their efforts while observing the lockdown and social distancing measures in place to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
With the Coventry City of Culture Trust also involved, around 10 micro-commissions of £200 will be given to ‘early career’ artists living within CV postcodes to develop work around the theme ‘imagine,’ perhaps a brighter future or adventure far removed from the living room.
Entitled Shut Down but Scratching, the event, which is being held online on Wednesday, April 15, is one of the precious few outlets left to make and perform regional arts and cultural industry, which has been hard-hit by the crisis and the resulting shut-down of venues.
The Belgrade Theatre itself is currently closed until the provisional reopening date of May 16.
A spokesman for the theatre said: “In recent weeks, there has been much publicity around the impact of the ongoing pandemic on public venues such as theatres, pubs and restaurants. But what can sometimes be forgotten is the knock-on effect these closures have on independent artists who rely on these venues to share their work and earn a living. With limited support currently available to freelancers, there’s a pressing need for projects that respond to challenges these artists face.
“It’s because of this that the Belgrade Theatre and Coventry City of Culture Trust are thrilled to be supporting Shut Down but Scratching - Shoot Festival’s online scratch night of original live performance, visual and digital art organised by Shoot Festival.”
Applications are currently being accepted from live performance artists working across a range of different media including theatremakers, musicians, poets and dancers.
Visual and digital artists are also welcome to apply. Performance pieces should be 5-10 minutes long, and all work must be ready to share in time for the event on April 15.
Formerly supported by the Belgrade’s Springboard talent development programme, Shoot Festival is a biennial event showcasing the best emerging creative talent in Coventry and Warwickshire across a wide range of venues. The deadline for applications to Shut Down but Scratching is 10am on Monday, April 6, with the event itself taking place on Wednesday, April 15. For details, go to https://www.coventryshootfestival.com/opportunities.