We want to build associate relationships that support individual artists and companies local to Bristol Old Vic who are doing brilliant things & we do this through two different offers.

PROJECTS

Associate Companies

As one of the largest cultural venues in Bristol & the South West, we work with and support four organisations through our Associate Companies offer. Our aim is to ensure that they have more support that enables them to continue providing vital activity that enrich the cultural life of our city and region beyond the bricks and mortar of Bristol Old Vic.  

We are creating bespoke relationships with each Associate Company which respond to the particular needs of their organisation. We want to use our associate collaboration to expand the breadth and depth of that offer for artists in the city at all stages of their careers and across multiple disciplines.    

Each company is being given a yearly cash contribution of £7,500 to support their work: £15,000 in total across the two years. Additional to this, we offer Associate Companies a bespoke package of in-kind support from Bristol Old Vic. 

Our Associate Companies from 2024 – 2026 are: 

Beyond Face  

"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

Diverse Artists Network

"Diverse Artists Network is delighted to be a Bristol Old Vic Associate Company for the next 2 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

MAYK 

"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; sometime 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 & 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-Directors

Theatre West

"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

Associate Artists

Our Associate Artists are extraordinary artists who will have a two year attachment to our building. Each year has a specific focus; 

In year one our associate artist has the opportunity to fully engage with the creative functions of Bristol Old Vic; contributing to literary, programming, producing, engagement and artist support functions across the organisation.  

In year two our associate artist will be able to focus on themselves & the development of their own practice. We imagine this will be slightly different for each associate and we’ll support them to craft a year of activity that nurtures their artistry & leaves them in a richer place at the end of their attachment with us.  

Our Associate Artists receive a £10,000 bursary across the two year attachment, plus in-kind support from Bristol Old Vic. 

Our Associate Artist from 2024 – 2026 is Saikat Ahamed. 

We will hold an open recruitment process in Autumn 2024 to find our 2025 – 2027 Associate Artist.