Thinking about applying to the Open Call? Make sure you read our handy FAQ sheet before submitting.
The Unity Open Call is back for 2022, providing another 20 Merseyside companies and artists with funding and the chance to be a part of our programme. We’re looking for a wide range of projects. Whether it’s a show you’d like to perform on our stage, a script you’d like test on an audience, a digital installation or online production, an outdoor event, community project, creative workshop or if you just need some free time, space and tech support to play around with new ideas – we want to hear from you!
Question not answered below? Why not attend one of our Q&A and support events. See the full calendar here.
FAQS
When are applications are open?
Applications Open: Monday 7th February – Friday 18th March, 10am
Applicants informed of outcome for Round 1 Confirmed: Tuesday 22nd March
Application Development Period: Wednesday 23rd – Monday 28th March 4pm
Final Programme Confirmed and Applicants Informed: Wednesday 30th March
What can I apply for?
- Programme
Performers and companies across Liverpool can apply for the chance to be a part of our Autumn/Winter programme 2022-3. Your work can take place live at Unity, be tailor made for digital and online audiences, be part of our gallery space or be an off-site piece of work in a location of your choice.
What you receive: You will receive a guaranteed fee of up to £1250, tailored support from Unity’s Artistic, Producing, Technical and Marketing Teams, the free opportunity to have your work professionally recorded and exhibited on our On-Demand platform and support reaching national tour-bookers through ProPortal. - Creative Experience Projects
Open Call also funds creative experience projects. Examples of creative experiences include community or education workshops, pop-up events, panel discussions, immersive experiences and installations. Successfully funded projects from our 2021 Open Call programme included an audio-experience in partnership with Alder Hey, a Hip Hop Dance Class for All, a projection installation in the L8 area and a letter-writing workshop in schools.
What you receive: Successful Creative Experience projects will receive a guaranteed fee of up to£1250, tailored support from Unity’s Artistic, Producing, Technical and Marketing Teams and support working with communities and partners. - Up Next Showcase
If your work is at an earlier stage of its development, we recommend you apply for our Up Next Programme. Up Next showcases exciting new work from Merseyside performers. This could be at an Up Next Weekender, a festival-style showcase giving multiple artists the chance to test new material on audiences, or you could be featured as part of a double-bill with pre-existing programme, for example the opportunity to open for a comedian. Work may be script in hand.
What you receive: All Up Next companies will receive up to £750, producing, technical and marketing support, a professional recording of your work and the opportunity to be showcased on-demand and on ProPortal. - Space to Create
Liverpool-based artists and companies can apply for up to 5 days of free rehearsal and development space at Unity.
What you receive: You will also receive free technical support, the option for a recorded sharing to an invited guest-list of your choice and mentoring from Unity’s Associate Producer.
How do I apply?
At this stage we are only seeking short expressions of interest for Open Call 2022. If your expression of interest is successful we will then pay you a fee of £100 to develop your application in round two.
There are a few ways to apply for Open Call 2022.
- Apply using our Open Call Online Application Portal. (Click Here)
- Apply by downloading the Word Document version of the application here and sending the completed form to artists@unitytheatre.co.uk
- Apply by video – please send a two minute video, answering all questions in the below application form, to artists@unitytheatre.co.uk
- Apply in person – if you need support writing your application or would prefer to apply verbally, staff will be on hand every Thursday at 1pm to support you with this. Find out more here.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from a wide range of people and practices including theatre companies, performers, community practitioners, musicians, devisers, comedians, puppeteers, digital artists & spoken word artists. If you have a performance or creative experience you’d love to share with audiences or participants, Unity are keen to hear from you.
There is no age-limit or experience-level required to apply, but you must be living, working or studying in Merseyside or have a Liverpool postcode.
Where can my work take place?
The work you present as part of the Open Call can either take place in our theatre spaces, be created for online, gallery-based or out in the city (e.g. parks, community spaces, libraries, education settings).
Unity will also be working with all successful applicants to digitise their live-work so that we can continue a high-quality offer for audiences who unable to attend the venue.
How many can I apply for?
You may apply for multiple opportunities with multiple projects. Please just ensure each project has a separate expression of interest.
How do I find out more?
Got a question about your application or need help submitting it?
Every week we will be hosting in venue, online and city-based Q&A and application writing sessions to help support you with your expression of interest.
See the full calendar here.
When does Open Call 2022 take place?
Successful programme, up next and creative experience events will take place from September – December 2022.
Space to Create applicants may apply for space anytime over the next 12 months, subject to availability.
