Bristol Old Vic Ferment and The Leverhulme Trust to once again offer four Leverhulme Arts Scholarships for local artists
20 Nov 2017
Image: Sharon Clark's Plow, presented as a work-in-progress during July 2017's Ferment Fortnight. Photo by Jack Offord.
Bristol Old Vic Ferment are delighted to have teamed up with The Leverhulme Trust once again to offer four Leverhulme Arts Scholarships in 2018. The Leverhulme Arts Scholarships are a financial stipend for artists over the period of one year to explore their own artistic practice with the support of Ferment whilst being financially supported by the award. Artists can apply for Leverhulme Arts Scholarships of up to £5,000, which are awarded towards the costs of having a research year on attachment to Ferment. During this year, there will be opportunities to engage in Ferment activity – from sharing a piece of work in Ferment Fortnight to spending time away on a retreat. The offer is to encourage artists to think about their own creative development, and what they might need over the course of a year on attachment to Ferment, which would enable them to explore, experiment and try things out. Ferment Producer Emma Bettridge said:
"Bristol Old Vic Ferment is committed to supporting artists living and making work in the South West, and we understand that sometimes the best way to do this is to support the artists to live. Ferment believes in the importance of time and space around the process of making work. We are driven by the artists who inspire us and we strive to enable them to make the best work they can, through conversation, practical help and advice, dramaturgical support and creative development."
There are four Leverhulme Art Scholarships available – two will be for recipients that Bristol Ferment invite to submit a proposal, and two will be awarded to artists who apply as part of an open call out. The next Leverhulme Arts Scholarships will run from Jan 2018, with dates to be discussed with the Ferment team.
To apply, please submit an expression of interest by emailing emma.bettridge@bristololdvic.org.uk – telling Ferment why you would like to receive a Leverhulme Arts Scholarship. Applications now open, deadline Wed 20 December 2017.
Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.
They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.
On 24 Sep 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its 2-year multi-million pound redevelopment project, which transformed its front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created a new studio theatre and opened up its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.