Organizer Information
Tin Shed Theatre Co is a Newport-based creative organization renowned for its site-specific and immersive performance work. In partnership with The Place Newport, they focus on transforming unconventional urban spaces into vibrant cultural hubs. Their mission is to bridge the gap between professional performance art and the public by utilizing libraries, museums, and vacant shop units as stages. They are the driving force behind the Newport Live Act Fringe Festival, fostering a "low-tech, high-imagination" approach to theatre and performance.
Title & Description
Creative Curations 2026: Artist Residencies for Newport Live Act Fringe
This open call offers five paid artist residencies to develop and premiere new performance work. The program is designed to give artists two weeks of dedicated space and time to explore bold, boundary-pushing ideas. The residency culminates in the second Newport Live Act Fringe, where artists share their developed work in non-traditional city locations. The goal is to encourage experimentation and allow "sparks of ideas" to grow into 45-minute public encounters.
Categories
The call is open to all forms of Live Performance, including:
- Theatre & Physical Theatre
- Dance & Circus Arts
- Puppetry & Clown
- Comedy
- Performative Installation
- Immersive & Site-Specific work
- Hybrids/Interdisciplinary performance (including music as part of a wider performance concept).
Eligibility
- Who Can Apply: Individual artists, companies, or collaborations.
- Location: Open to applicants across Wales and beyond (international artists are welcome, though travel/accommodation must be covered by the grant).
- Restrictions: Artists who have previously been awarded a Creative Curations position are not eligible. Previous unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Financial Support: A flat fee/contribution of £1,500 towards expenses.
- Residency Space: Two weeks of access to a space in the heart of Newport (March 9 – 22, 2026).
- Performance Opportunity: A platform to share up to 45 minutes of work during the Fringe Festival weekend.
- Professional Support: Inclusion in the festival marketing and a chance to engage with a diverse, incidental audience.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete a Google Form and ensure all relevant additional documents are attached. Requirements typically include:
- Personal & Project Info: Details about the artist and the proposed idea.
- Work Plan: How the two-week residency will be utilised.
- Supporting Documents: CV, portfolio, or links to previous work (as specified in the application form).
- Note: Applications without relevant additional documents or those that are incomplete will not be considered.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 9 January 2026
- Residency Period: March 9 – March 22, 2026.
- Fringe Festival Weekend: Culmination of the residency in late March 2026.
Location
Newport, Wales, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The organizers emphasize that these spaces are "non-conventional," meaning they often have limited tech and minimal production support. Artists should be prepared to work in a "low-tech" environment where creativity leads the way. If your project requires heavy technical staff or high-end production, this may not be the right scheme for you.