The Creative Fund supports Scotland‑based artists developing new work in visual performance, puppetry and object theatre. It offers seed funding, rehearsal space and mentorship to help artists explore early‑stage ideas and take a meaningful step forward in their practice.

The fund is led by Manipulate Arts in partnership with Vanishing Point Theatre Company, with support from Creative Scotland’s Multi‑Year Funding Programme.

Please note: animation projects and training‑only projects are no longer supported through this fund. Please find out about our new Animation Research and Development Fund here.

Who Can Apply
• Professional artists aged 18+, based in Scotland, at any career stage.
• Artists at a key moment of development who would benefit from mentorship.
• New applicants and those previously supported by Manipulate Arts.
• Artists from any discipline, as long as the proposed project sits within visual performance, puppetry or object theatre (include an experienced collaborator if this is new territory for you).

What You Receive
• Up to £5000 in project costs.
• One week of rehearsal space at Vanishing Point in Glasgow (or local space arranged with partners if you’re based elsewhere).
• Personal access costs for lead artists and key contributors.
• A 10–15 minute scratch sharing at a Manipulate Arts event in Feb 2027, plus audience and programmer feedback.
• A potential additional sharing with Vanishing Point in Jan/Feb 2027.
• A professional development plan and ongoing mentorship from Manipulate Arts and/or Vanishing Point.
• Tickets to selected Manipulate Arts events during the residency.
• Access to Manipulate Arts’ wellbeing benefits, including Headspace and mental‑health support.

What They Support
• Projects in early creative development, either brand new ideas or significant re‑imaginings of existing work. • • Projects must be visually led, image‑driven or involve animating the inanimate. Supported artforms include mime, clowning, physical theatre, object theatre, gestural theatre, microcinema, circus, aerial theatre and some dance‑hybrid work.

They do not support: full productions, ongoing practice costs, non‑visual projects, animation, or training‑only proposals.

Deadline: Thu 4 June 2026, 12 noon.

If you need the application in another format or require support, contact them via email.

For further information, please contact info@manipulatearts.co.uk or visit https://www.manipulatearts.co.uk/artists/creative-fund/.