Meet our new Associates!
27 Mar 2024
This month we've launched a new commitment to new writing across the region and as part of that we'll be working with some amazing artists and organisations.
This is an evolution of the previous Associates Scheme to create a more meaningful, bespoke relationship with these organisations that will help to expand the breadth and depth of the offer for artists in the city at all stages of their careers and across multiple disciplines.
We'll be working with four Associate Companies and two Associate Artists to provide tangible support for a fixed two-year period. You can find out all about it here.
But for now, let's meet the Associates...
Beyond Face
Beyond Face provides opportunities for artists of Global Majority to live work and thrive in the South West Theatre sector.
"Since 2015, Beyond Face have worked across the South West to support and provide opportunities for Global Majority artists and young people to develop their creative work and be in environments where people can thrive and feel part of an artistic community. We are really excited to have been asked to be an associate company with Bristol Old Vic. We can't wait to work together to offer more development opportunities for Global Majority artists and continue to amplify the South West region."(Alix Harris, Founder, Artistic Director & CEO Beyond Face).
Theatre West
Theatre West are a New Writing company supporting female-identifying writers.
“Theatre West, Bristol’s iconic new writing theatre company, is very proud to be one of BOV’s new Associate Companies. With women writers at the heart of everything we do, this new partnership will allow the company to increase and amplify the script development support we can offer to women across the region. The barriers for women playwrights are well documented, and this recognition of the gap will help support Theatre West to be bigger and bolder in our ambition to get more women voices heard.” (Alison Comley & Ann Stiddard, co-Directors)
MAYK
MAYK are producers & supporters of contemporary and experimental work.
“MAYK are delighted to be announced as one of Bristol Old Vic’s four Associate Companies. We work with a number of artists in ways that are sometimes very visible and sometimes less visible, to support their work through different means; sometimes that’s hands-on creative development or producing, but it can also be space, dramaturgy, brokering connections or helping with funding. We think a lot about care-centred platforms for inspiring artists who are making contemporary, experimental and not necessarily text-based work, and this partnership will amplify that work even further over the coming two years; we can’t wait to build on our longstanding relationship with Bristol Old Vic in new and exciting ways for both our organisations.” (Matthew Austin & Kate Yedigaroff, co-Artistic Directors, MAYK)
Diverse Artists Network (DAN)
DAN is a development agency for diversity in the arts.
“Diverse Artists Network is delighted to be a Bristol Old Vic Associate Company for the next two years. We see this as a real boost to our ability to continue delivering high quality opportunities to artists through mentoring, network events, targeted newsletters, sharing freelance employment opportunities, funding advice, support and career development conversations.
This partnership will also enable us to amplify our grassroots support and development for aspiring artists, helping them gain the confidence and exposure to play a key role within their communities and the wider city. We are looking forward to the support BOV can give us as we navigate our way towards becoming even more embedded in Bristol’s arts ecology.” (Deasy Bamford & Vandna Mehta, co-Founding Directors).
Saikat Ahamed
Our first Associate Artist Saikat is a Bristol based performer and writer. He will be one of two artists on a rolling two-year programme. Year One involves the Associate Artist engaging with the creative functions of Bristol Old Vic, while Year Two will allow the Associate Artist to focus on the development of their own practice.
Open recruitment for the second Associate Artist will take place in Autumn 2024, with further details published later this year.
“I am beyond honoured to be asked to be an Associate of Bristol Old Vic. Aside from my love of the building and the people therein, I’m excited to be part of the changes that Nancy and her team are putting in place. The longer I spend in the industry, the more apparent the need for change becomes; to be more inclusive, more reflective not just of the society we see but also the society we want and to accept that this ‘agenda’ does not diminish artistic excellence but rather goes hand in hand with it. I want to be part of that change; after nearly 25 years as an actor, it may well turn out to be the most important role I’ve ever had”.
Saikat Ahamed, Associate Artist 2024/6
