Cirque Bijou's Step Up programme supports the creation of new outdoor work by giving young artists a bursary of up to £1500, opportunities to perform at major street arts festivals, and additional support in the form of mentoring and production and business advice; as part of the process, artists in the programme undertake a silver Arts Award.
Step Up is open to artists aged 14-25 who are living or working in Bristol, Somerset or Dorset, and applications can be made by individuals or by groups. The work has to be suitable for outdoor performance, whether on a stage or grass or the street, but can use any live performance discipline – in the past they've had street artists, circus artists, parkour traceurs, dancers and others.
To apply for the award write a 250 word description of your project, work up a budget, include any pictures or videos you want, and then e-mail the lot to billy@cirquebijou.co.uk by 1 June 2011.