Support for Artists

We believe that a high quality creative development programme is the key to unlocking creativity and supporting artistic excellence in the performing arts sector for children and young people. This programme creates regular opportunities for artists and practitioners, whether they are students, established artists or at the beginning of their career.

We would love to hear from you if you have ideas about opportunities or events you would like us to provide, or if you have questions about the work we do with artists and freelancers. You can contact Fiona Ferguson, Creative Development Director.

Photo by Sid Scott

Developing new work

We have a series of projects that focus on the development of new performance ideas for young audiences including Launchpad (funding for early career artists to develop a new scratch idea), Accelerator (funding for artists to develop a new work in progress) and Imaginate At residencies (a series of partnership residencies offering funding and space to work on a idea).

c. Kat Gollock

Performance Opportunities

We curate a year-round programme of events to share your performance ideas with your peers and industry colleagues including Scratch nights, work-in-progress performances and with delegates at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.
Find out more.

Seeing Work

We want to ensure makers, designers, production staff, performers and producers get to see the most exciting and relevant theatre and dance for young audiences happening in Scotland and beyond- a chance to go and see the shows you think can help influence and inspire your next project.
Find out more.

Workshops

We offer a year-round programme of workshops and masterclasses open to those who are involved in making work for young audiences. Previous workshops have been led by artists such as kabinet k, Trickster P, Kopergietery and Punchdrunk. Keep an eye on our Opportunities & Events page for the latest workshops and contact us if you would like to suggest future ones.

Building Your Case

Building Your Case is a resource designed to help artists and small companies who create performances for young audiences navigate the world of funding in Ireland and Scotland. This toolkit should help practitioners make a strong case for their work to be funded, by giving them an insight into key policies and research that show the benefits performances can bring to children.
Find out more.

Hot Desk

We are delighted to offer free desk space to work in the Imaginate office (30b Grindlay St, Edinburgh). This space is free of charge to those who work in the young audiences sector – makers, performers, designers, technicians, producers, programmers – but must be booked in advance. To check availability or to request a space, email us at info@imaginate.org.uk.
Find out more.

c. Neil Harvey

Networking

We like to connect all those who work in the sector so offer a year-round programme of networking opportunities including social events and artist retreats.
Find out more about some regular events.