Artist Development

A significant arm of our producing and engagement work is Ferment, one of the longest-running artist development programmes in the UK since its launch at Bristol Old Vic in 2010. 

Since then, Ferment has supported over 900 young artists and artistic companies to transform their ideas into reality, showcasing 287 new productions and works-in-progress, two thirds of which have been subsequently performed as part of our biannual Ferment Fortnight festival.

Ferment’s pioneering approach is recognised in the methodology of artist development across the country, and over the years it has played a role in supporting the early careers of now established artists such as Action Hero (now an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation); Bea Roberts (winner of the 503 playwriting award); Dan Canham; Matt Grinter (winner of the Papatango award); Sleepdogs (a collaboration between Tanuja Amarasuriya and Timothy X Atack, Bruntwood Award winner); Vanessa Kisuule (Bristol City Poet 2018-20); Bert + Nasi; and Sam Halmarack.

Supported by: John Ellerman Foundation, The Leverhulme Trust, The Garrick Charitable Trust