For Artists

Ferment is the name of our programme supporting artists and companies based in/from the South West. It has been running for more than ten years, and in that time we have worked with hundreds of artists to explore new ideas, grow their creative practice, and develop shows/projects that have gone on to tour nationally and internationally. 

We target our work specifically towards the development of entry-level, early and mid-career artists*. We identify and support artists and companies through a mixture of open-access opportunities, open calls and curation. 

We work with artists and companies in a variety of ways to develop their work and practice. Below, you can see how we work, what we've done, and what we currently offer.

We evaluate our work against a set of core values. We aspire for all our work to be:

  1. Open & transparent.  
  2. Inclusive & accessible.  
  3. Useful & impactful.  
  4. Collaborative & welcoming.  
  5. Progressive & inspiring.  

WHAT WE OFFER

Development, Commissioning & Co-Producing

Building relationships with artists to support new work

Targeted Projects

Responding to specific needs in the artistic community
A room of artists sitting on chairs in a large circle, in conversation.

The Forum

A network for South West artists to engage with us and each other
Three women dressed as brides pose with mics in front of a glitzy tinsel curtain.

CURRENT OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

Open calls, commissions and other things on offer!
The band Jakabol set up outdoors near an outbuilding with poet Malaika Kegode. There is a drumkit, a guitarist, and a harpist. Malaika stands on a rug on concrete. It is a cool image.

CASE STUDIES

Hear from artists we've supported about how it all works
A young man crouches onstage playing a keyboard on the floor. He wears a beanie, a tshirt that says "this is what a feminist looks like", jeans, and a confused expression.

ARTIST FAQS

Answers to the questions many artists don’t often have the chance to ask

Our Programming Policy & Contacting Us

Just looking for information on how we programme? Click here to read our Programming Policy and find out how best to get in touch.

Jargon buster 

Entry-level practitioners – Those just starting out in the arts. You could be fresh out of school/training or at the beginning of a career change. Likely to not have any professional experience but a demonstrated interest in their chosen field. 

Early to mid-career artists – Creatives (of any age) who have either begun to establish a career in the arts, or who have laid a foundation of professional work and are ready to scale it up. For example, early-career could be a writer with a body of work looking for their first paid commission, and mid-career could be a theatre company with an established track record of studio work looking to move into mid-sized theatre spaces.

Open-access opportunity – Support available to all practising artists based in, or from, the South West.

Open calls – A short application process where you can express interest in one of our opportunities.

Curation – Our team and artistic associates identify artists and companies we're excited about and who might benefit from our support and invite them to apply for one of our opportunities.