Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Ardent Theatre Company produce theatre, career training and mentorship programmes, providing a platform for theatre industry voices and online resources. Their aim is to make theatre a place where no one feels like an outsider, welcoming people whose voices are unheard and stories untold. This grant provides core funding for staffing costs to enable Ardent to sustain their work and grow their impact through fundraising activity.

Bristol Music Trust develops the programme of music and events at Colston Hall, and works to support young people through music education activities in Bristol and the South West. As part of a major strategic redevelopment, Bristol Music Trust will expand the organisation’s informal learning offer to co-create long-term participatory and performance programmes with a range of communities in the city who experience least access to the arts.

Working in Doncaster, this project will explore the complex barriers which prevent people from accessing Cast’s arts programme and will test ways to overcome these obstacles.

‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’ was a public art event created by Turner-prize winning artist Jeremy Deller and the National Theatre’s Artistic Director Rufus Norris. This event commemorated the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. Some 1400 young men aged 16-30 took part in this work and for many it was their first experience of participating in the arts. Commissioned by 14-18 NOW and produced in partnership with 8 major theatres, 56 regional theatres and many community groups, this project sought not only to create an extraordinary piece of participatory work, but also to look at new models of sector partnership and learning.

20 Stories High is a theatre company creating work for and with young people in theatre venues and community spaces. This grant will support them to implement a revised vision and mission and develop a renewed focus on wellbeing, activism and new leadership and voices. This includes delivering an ambitious and inclusive programme of work made with communities. Together they aim to embed Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and Activism (EDIA) at the heart of their work; create more work with and for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists, participants and audiences; and diversify their leadership through new associate roles.

20 Stories High is a theatre company and charity based in the Toxteth area of Liverpool. It aims to empower and improve aspirations and skills for young people, targeting the most marginalised groups. Through a four year programme of outreach, training, collaboration and evaluation, 20 Stories High will deepen its understanding of how access to and participation in the arts can impact positively on young people’s mental health.

Based in Manchester, 42nd Street supports young people with their mental health and wellbeing. This grant will support core staffing and artists fees as part of the continued development of The Horsfall – 42nd Street’s dedicated, young person-curated, creative space that supports young people’s mental health and wellbeing programme.

42nd Street is a Manchester based charity that supports young people with their mental health and wellbeing. This grant will support the organisation to develop the Horsfall arts programme and to integrate this initiative into 42nd Street’s wider offer.

Access All Areas support Learning Difficulty and Autistic (LDA) artists to be leaders in film, TV and theatre to address structural ableism in the arts and culture sector. Specifically, they will co-lead Transforming Leadership programme and support LDA artists as consultants to further support others like them in the sector.

Acta engages people from communities experiencing marginalisation in Bristol in the creation and performance of their own original theatre. This request builds on the organisation’s work to improve workforce diversity, increase participation and share learning.