Imaginate and Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) are looking for a new theatre or dance performance for children 0-10 years and their families, suitable for presentation in indoor and outdoor public spaces.

The commission is open for application by artists, companies and freelancers based in Scotland who would like to experiment with new ideas such as pop-up, walkabout or durational performances.

Priority will be given to applications where the lead artist has a meaningful connection to Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland and/or the lead artist or target audience are under-represented in the young audiences sector.

The commission will be presented at these two festivals so you must be available on both dates:

– Imaginate’s Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2027 Family Day (29 May 2027)
– Aberdeen Performing Arts’ Light the Blue Festival (6 June 2027)

This commission is to support the development of new performance work so the idea that you’re applying with should not have been fully produced and toured before, although work that has been scratched or presented as a work-in-progress is eligible. The work will be performed in noisy public spaces, so short or pop-up performances that are non-verbal, dance, circus, visual theatre and walkabout, tend to work best.

There is a budget of up to £9k. Please download the full guidelines on their website before applying.

For further information, please contact fiona@imaginate.org.uk, call 0131 225 8050 or visit https://www.imaginate.org.uk/artists/opportunities/family-day-partner-commission-call-out-imaginate-and-apa.