The search is on for ‘bite-sized’ performances to go out on tour
An award-winning arts project is looking for four ‘bitesize’ performances to tour a range of non-arts venues in Sunderland, with £32,000 available to help.
Each commission must visit five venues between April and May 2023, and do one performance or show at each on consecutive days or nights, or spread over two weeks.
A venue will be in each of Sunderland’s five areas; Coalfields,East,North,Washington andWest.Eachperformanceis expected to include food, possibly a meal.
A budget up to £8,000 will beavailableforeachofthefour commissions; to include all production costs and engagement work with local people.
The Cultural Spring will manage the sourcing of venues in collaboration with the appointed artists or artistic teams, as well as covering the venuehire,foodcostsandmarketing and ticketing.
Each piece must feature the local community in the creation of the final work, within the development of a script, music, or performing in a show.
The Cultural Spring is looking to repeat the success of a similar project in South Tyneside in 2018.
Emma Horsman, project director of The Cultural Spring, said: “The feedback for our bite-sized productions in South Tyneside was among themostpositivewe’vehadfor any of our projects.
“Weputon20performances over three months and engaged more than 300 people.
The shows were very different and one of the key elements of the project was that they were delivered in venues you wouldn’t expect – so we used placeslikeaScouthut,aparish hall, a pub, a football club and social clubs.
“Audiences were in the range between 30 and 50 and we expect them to be the same size for our Sunderland project.
“Performing the shows in such venues really took art into local neighbourhoods and estates and I think people enjoyedattendingculturalevents in venues that were local to them and felt comfortable in.
“The performances should be followed by the sharing of food after the show. The food element can be themed to the show’s subject.”
When the pieces are ready to tour venues in spring, ticketswillbeabout£5andinclude refreshments. The deadline to express an interest is Wednesday, September 7. Visit www. theculturalspring.org.uk