Stomping Ground Call Out: 2027 Outdoor Dance Commission

Overview

The Place, on behalf of the Stomping Ground partnership, is commissioning a new short solo or duet created for children ages 5–11, tourable to primary schools, festivals, and other public outdoor spaces around the UK. The piece should be ready to premiere in May 2027.

Theme & Approach

No fixed theme is prescribed, but the commissioned work should encourage play, curiosity, discovery, and joy. Organizers are especially interested in dynamic, engaging ideas that centre innovation—proposals might explore themes from the school curriculum, questions that spark children's curiosity, or approaches to environmental sustainability. Applicants are particularly encouraged to incorporate dance styles underrepresented in the sector.

Eligibility

• Based in the UK
• Must have previous experience making and touring high-quality work in different contexts
• Must define themselves as having an established practice and track record of making and presenting high-quality work
• May not apply with work previously submitted to Stomping Ground, unless it has had further development since that submission
• May not currently be in education, unless at PhD level
• Applicants may apply with a piece that already has some development, provided it hasn't toured yet

Production Parameters

Solo or duet using dance/movement as the main medium, for children aged 5–11, up to 20 minutes long (followed by a Q&A when touring to schools), with minimal, easily transportable props. Work must be performable on varied surfaces (concrete, astroturf, grass, or with light transportable flooring), performable twice a day, and tourable with one technician.

Commission & Support

• £20,000 commission to create the new outdoor work (no additional match funding required)
• Up to two weeks of in-kind studio space at The Place (subject to availability)
• Opportunities for facilitated sharing with groups of children
• Guidance and support in creating and producing outdoor work
• Five weeks of touring as part of The Playground Tour, with performers' fees and agreed touring costs covered separately; touring performers paid a minimum of £660/week plus holiday and pension pay
• Potential additional performances at Stomping Ground partners' festivals, paid via separately negotiated performance fee (expected to be within £2,000/day)
• Fee offered to shortlisted applicants to prepare for and attend interview
• Access costs supported for interview preparation and attendance

Budget Parameters

The £20,000 commission is expected to cover 3–4 weeks of rehearsal (including test sharing with children) and 1–2 understudies. Presentation cost should be a maximum of £2,000 per performance day including travel, accommodation, and per diems where possible.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 3 September 2026
• Shortlisted Applicant Notification: 5 October 2026
• Online Interviews: Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21, 2026
• Premiere: May 2027
• Touring Period: 5 weeks throughout June and July 2027

How to Apply

Complete the online application form (with video submission option and Word document version available). If invited to interview, provide a creation and performance budget detailing use of the £20,000 commission and expected presentation costs. An Equal Opportunities monitoring form is optional (reviewed only by HR).

Application Fee

None