Louise Blackwell is this year’s recipient of the Farnham Maltings Fellowship. Louise, who was previously the co-director of Fuel, an independent producing company, has done much to shape the way theatre is created and presented in the UK and is now beginning a new chapter developing a structure to support artists aged 9 to 90 years old in Brighton and beyond.

Gavin Stride, director of the Maltings, says ‘We are delighted to be working with Louise in the realisation of her latest ambitions. This fellowship is based on the idea that if we can support others to achieve the things they want, then we are more likely to be realising our own ambitions to ensure that the south east has a vibrant independent theatre sector.’

This is the third Farnham Maltings Fellowship, following awards to Bucket Club and Action Hero as investments in time, money and support for artists and producers to take their ideas forward. The awards are made possible with the support of the Maltings Patrons and each runs for a year. Action Hero have spoken about the impact of their award in a blog here

Speaking about the potential value of the fellowship Louise commented “This is just what I need right now; money, time and space to develop ideas that will help visionary artists of the future. I look forward to supporting  people who may not have access to the opportunities I have had in my career so far.’

Farnham Maltings is also pleased to announce two new associate companies with whom they will be working to ensure the best independent theatre is made and presented across the region: Action Hero, who are currently working on Oh Europa and Flintlock Theatre who have secured Arts Council investment to produce Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People.

caravan 2018 is a three-day showcase presenting the best new performance from England to a selection of international and national promoters and presenters, delivered by Farnham Maltings and Brighton Festival.  caravan is a convivial event designed to encourage artists, commissioners, programmers and potential collaborators to explore new ways of working together, to share ambitions and to reach new audiences.

The caravan marketplace will be held on Tuesday 15 May 2018 between 10.00am and 12.00pm and is an opportunity for artists and companies to host a stand and to share information about current or future projects with approximately 60 national and international delegates.   A small subsidy is available to support travel and/or access costs.

For more information and to apply to be part of the marketplace, please complete the Application Form and submit by email to Jane Dunningham at jane.dunningham@farnhammaltings.com by 12.00pm on Friday 02 February 2018. 

Find out more about the caravan showcase

Forty of Britain’s biggest – and smallest – arts organisations will join a flagship £1 million scheme to help end the middle class domination of the arts by employing more graduates from lower income backgrounds.

Sage Gateshead, Turner Contemporary, Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival and Farnham Maltings are amongst 40 arts organisations taking part in the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme.  Each get funding to host a graduate placement from a low income background for 12 months in a role new to the organisation, significantly increasing the host organisation’s capacity.

The bursary programme, now in its third and biggest phase, aims to open up entry level work opportunities for gifted graduates who received a full maintenance grant throughout university and who would struggle to do the unpaid work which acts as a gateway into the sector for up 88% of young people working in the arts today*.

The programme has already delivered success, with a new evaluation report showing how 60% of employers on the last phase had extended contracts with placements, or made them permanent, once the actual bursary ended.

Kate Danielson, Programme Director said: “Diversity is absolutely fundamental to the continued success of UK art and culture – whether it is diversity of artists, audiences or those working for arts organisations.”

“The Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries is about breaking down barriers to support this, levelling the playing field for young people from lower income backgrounds and making sure arts organisations can benefit from the skills and experience of all young talent.”

“This third phase is the most in-depth ever and we’re delighted to be working with 40 arts organisations who between them represent all corners of the country, a wide range of art forms and occupy very different positions within the wider arts and culture ecology of the UK.”

The Creative Bursaries programme, launched in 2010, also aims to embed diverse recruitment practices amongst the host organisations, share best practice across the sector about how to recruit as widely as possible to support diversity at entry level, and have an impact on the diversity and vibrancy of our future arts workforce.

For the first time ever, 12 of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursary placements will get the chance to spend some of their year with an overseas arts organisation after the British Council joined the programme as a key delivery partner, and all 40 placements will attend an international arts festival together as part of the programme. Also for the first time, three of the hosts have been supported through PRS Foundation specifically to create music production roles.

Under this third edition of the programme, host organisations will pay 25% of the placement’s wage, with the remaining 75% coming from the bursary fund. All placements will be paid according to the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended salary. The selected hosts will now spend the autumn recruiting their participant before launching their individual placements in the New Year. The programme will end in February 2019 and the final evaluation of the programme will be completed in summer 2019.

The Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries 2017-19 programme is designed and managed by Jerwood Charitable Foundation in partnership with the British Council. It has been made possible through the combined support of Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Jerwood Charitable Foundation, CHK Charities Limited and PRS Foundation.

Download the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries 2014-16 Evaluation Report.

Download the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries 2017-19 Hosts Announced press release.

Farnham Maltings is looking to commission and present a new piece of theatre which will be created and performed by elders from the Farnham area.

What is ‘My Shout’?

This new creation will be one of four pieces of art created by elders for ‘My Shout’, a Celebrating Age project (an initiative funded by Arts Council England and the Baring Foundation). My Shout aims to challenge stereotypes of ageing and present a vibrant and surprising alternative for what it means to grow old in England. We want to enable elders from our community to create art that has integrity, resonance and perhaps a touch of mischief.

Theatre performance commission

We will commission a theatre maker (an individual or small group) to work with a newly-formed group of elders to workshop, devise, develop and create a new performance. The theatre maker(s) will be responsible for leading the group, as well as writing, rehearsing and directing the performance. They will also produce the technical and design aspects of the production (although we can work with you to bring in the right people, as required).

The production will be a short performance of up to 30 minutes. The performance will be presented as part of Spark Youth Arts Festival and the audience is likely to be predominately young people living in Surrey.

We are looking for makers that can demonstrate their ability to work on bold, considered ideas with communities.

Theatre commission brief

Craft commission

We will commission a craft maker to work with a newly-formed group of elders to develop, design and create a new piece of craft that will sit in a public context. The piece will be displayed long-term in Farnham – potential sites include indoor and outdoor locations at Farnham Maltings, soon-to-be-renovated Gostrey Memorial Hall or another location in the town (subject to permission). We are looking for makers that can demonstrate their ability to work on bold, considered ideas with communities.

Craft commission brief

Closing date 12pm on Thursday 20 July 2017

For more information, visit My Shout

We are looking to appoint a new Marketing Coordinator for house. This role works across the whole network supporting both touring companies and venue marketing teams as well as leading on all audience development initiatives. We are looking for someone with 2 years experience in an arts role, with excellent communication skills and knowledge of the South East and/or touring sector.

This is a full time role based in Farnham with a salary of £26,500.

Deadline for applications is 12 noon, Tuesday 4 July 2017. Interviews will be held on Monday 10 July 2017.

Marketing Coordinator Jobpack (May 2017)