Short Description
Stomping Ground is a commissioning group comprising Citymoves, Creative Crawley, FABRIC, FESTIVAL.ORG, Pagrav Dance Company, Strike A Light, The Place, and Tramway.
The group works with artists to develop ambitious, high-quality work designed specifically for outdoor spaces, capturing the attention and imagination of diverse audiences.
Since its inception in 2018, Stomping Ground has supported a wide range of outdoor practices. Its mission is to champion compelling ideas conceived for outdoor performance that have a strong impact, engage broad audiences, and incorporate imaginative approaches to accessibility. Shows commissioned by Stomping Ground have been presented in a variety of settings, including urban, rural, festival, and high street locations.
Past commissions include works by Robby Graham, Requardt & Rosenberg, Joseph Toonga, Pagrav Dance Company, AndroidX + MHz, Jessica Walker, Richard Chappell Dance, and Francesca Baglione (Miss High Leg Kick).
Eligibility
Applicants to Stomping Ground must meet the following criteria:
- Be based in the UK.
- Be proposing a work with a strong and distinctive movement element; applications are welcome from dance artists as well as artists from other disciplines who incorporate movement into their practice.
- Have previous experience creating and touring high-quality work in diverse contexts.
- Not submit a work that has been previously submitted to Stomping Ground, unless it has undergone further development since the prior submission.
- Not currently be in education, except at PhD level.
Stomping Ground is interested in hearing from both new artists who have not previously worked with the organization, as well as artists with whom it already has established relationships.
What Stomping Ground Is Looking For?
Stomping Ground seeks ideas that are innovative, engaging, and dynamic, responding to the realities of the world today. Applicants are encouraged to consider what makes their concept particularly exciting for children—for example, primary audiences often respond well to humour, high energy, and bold, decisive movements. Ideas may also explore themes from the school curriculum or pose questions that spark children’s curiosity.
Proposals should consider how the work will function in outdoor contexts and appeal to both dance and non-dance audiences, including committed attendees and passersby. Adaptations of existing indoor works reimagined for outdoor performance are welcome, but applicants must clearly demonstrate the suitability of the piece for outdoor settings.
Applicants are asked to explain how accessibility has been considered in the creation of the work and how it communicates effectively with audiences. Stomping Ground is particularly interested in artists who explore sustainable approaches to making and touring, as well as themes of environmental sustainability in their work.
Additionally, applicants should provide information about collaborators and performers involved in the project, highlighting how their skills and experience will contribute to producing a high-quality work.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected piece will receive a £20,000 commission, up to 2 weeks of studio space in kind at The Place, guidance on producing outdoor work for children, and performance opportunities with the commissioning partners.
The piece will be co-produced by The Place as part of The Playground 2026, and go on a 5-week tour around schools and family festivals.
The Stomping Ground partners may offer presentation opportunities which will be negotiated with the commissioned artists, and which will be subject to additional touring fees. Artists are not expected to raise additional match funding.
Entry Fee
None
Location
London, United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 29 October 2025
Website Link: https://theplace.org.uk/work-with-us/jobs-and-opportunities/artists-opportunities
