Seed Funding for Midlands based artists

From October 2026 to February 2027 we are exploring the idea of HOME with artists raising urgent questions about heritage, displacement, sanctuary, community and the places and people that shape us. Across drama, dance, music, visual art, film, words and ideas, this season brings together diverse voices telling different stories in different ways, creating opportunities not just to be entertained, but to feel, to think, and to see one another more clearly.

We will support up to three Coventry or Midlands-based artists or collectives with funding and space to develop new work around this theme. Culminating in a public sharing in February 2027.

The Brief:
Taking the theme of HOME as a springboard for your creative project, we are offering:
£2,500+VAT of seed funding
Development space in our Helen Martin Studio
The chance to share your project publicly as part of a group scratch night with basic technical support in our black box Studio on Thursday 11th February 2027.

If shortlisted, you will need to be free on Wednesday 1st July between 11:30am – 2:30pm for a follow up 20-minute discussion with our team.
You will need to be free on Thursday 11th February for the public sharing.
You will need to be or be willing to register as Self-Employed, with a tax number.
We advise that applicants are aged 16+.
Be based in the West Midlands region or based within a 30-mile radius of our postcode (CV4 7AL).
You will need to have or be willing to have Public Liability Insurance.
Optional Research & Development time in the Helen Martin Studio from August 2026.
Rehearsal schedule for the Scratch Night: You will have 1-2 days of rehearsal space without Technical support w/c 8th February, you will have two hours with Technical support on Thursday 11th February.
Successful applicant will receive:
A fee of £2,500+VAT in total which will be paid before the end of July 2026.