Light The Blue 2023

Light The Blue 2023: Call Out for Proposals 

Aberdeen Performing Arts is looking for proposals for Light The Blue 2023, our multi-artform festival that celebrates the creativity of young people aged 5-25. This year’s festival will take place from 10th – 18th June across Aberdeen with a programme of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film and more.

We’re committed to creating a relevant, inclusive and inspirational festival that represents the diversity of young people in the city and beyond. We’re looking for ideas that put young people’s voices above anything else. There’s no set themes or strict parameters, we simply want to hear the most exciting ideas and support you to make them a reality.

We’re inviting submissions from groups and organisations who work creatively with young people aged 5-25, as well as from young artists themselves.  

You might be a youth theatre, a dance group, a community group or an independent artist. You might meet regularly or be bringing a group together specially for this project. 

 There is no set theme for Light The Blue, however we’ll be most excited by ideas and stories that feel relevant to young people and put them at the heart of the creation process. 

We are particularly interested in hearing from those who work with young people from diverse and marginalised backgrounds. 

We actively encourage like-minded organisations to submit proposals as collectives and will also identify opportunities to encourage collaboration between groups based on the proposals we receive. 

Whilst the majority of the programme will be made up of groups based in Aberdeen and the North East, we are also keen to hear from those based across Scotland. 

Programmed acts will be encouraged to be climate-conscious in their approach – using recycled materials as much as possible, for example.  

Artforms 

 As long as the idea involves a creative artform and the majority of participants are aged 5-25, we’d love to hear from you. Ideas which involve young people as decision-makers in the process will be favoured. 

We are particularly keen to programme (but are not limited to) the following artforms: 

• Theatre – devised and scripted 
• Live music 
• Dance and physical theatre 
• Circus 
• Short films 
• Visual arts/installations/exhibitions 

Original work will be favoured, but we will also consider new interpretations of existing material. 

We are particularly interested in hearing ideas that challenge the conventions of youth arts sharings and we will work collaboratively to support more experimental approaches. 

Length 

There is no set length for live performance proposals. We will consider shorter pieces for multi-bill and promenade events, as well as full-length pieces for standalone events. 

Venue 

Your idea might be performed/exhibited in:  

• One of our studio, auditorium or public spaces 
• Another performance venue 
• An unconventional space – e.g. an empty retail unit 
• An outdoor space 

We’ll ask about your preferred type of performance/exhibition space at time of application. If you have a space that could be used for festival activity, we’d love to hear from you. 

 We are happy to consider digital work, although live performances and in-person installations/exhibitions will be prioritised. 

What can we offer? 

 Programmed artists and groups will receive: 

• A free programming slot as part of Light The Blue 2023 
• Technical support for rehearsals and performance 
• Free access to events across the festival programme 
• Marketing & PR support as part of our wider festival campaign 
• Producing and marketing support from our experienced team 
• Networking opportunities for practitioners 

A contribution towards transport costs may be available to selected groups.

What’s the application process? 

Please submit your idea by Monday 06 March at 5pm via the following online form: https://forms.office.com/e/56347v4z9d.

The form asks for information about your group/organisation/work, the idea you’re proposing and the young people involved in it. 

We are also happy to consider proposals in alternative formats. Please contact Jordan Blackwood via the email below to discuss.

What happens after the deadline?  

Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis up to the deadline.  

Any questions? 

If you have any questions or you’re not sure if your idea is suitable, contact Jordan Blackwood, Light The Blue Creative Producer – jordan.blackwood@aberdeenperformingarts.com.

APPLY NOW