ORIGIN8 Artist Development Programme

ORIGIN8 supports artists and companies at different stages of their creative journey, providing tailored guidance, development opportunities and practical support to help transform ideas into the next stage of their life.

ORIGIN8 2026 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Have an exciting idea, a new project, or a show you’d love to develop? Looking for time, space, and support to help bring your work to life?

ORIGIN8 supports artists and companies at different stages of their creative journey, providing tailored guidance, development opportunities and practical support to help transform ideas into the next stage of their life.
Whether you’re nurturing the seed of a new idea, developing an existing project, preparing for funding applications, or looking for support to take your work further, we’d love to hear from you.

What does ORIGIN8 offer?

GENER8 – Developing Ideas
Begin your journey with mentoring conversations alongside our producing team. We’ll explore your creative ideas, ambitions and next steps, while offering guidance around production planning, audiences, timelines and developing your project.

INCUB8 – Space to Create
Receive in-kind Research & Development space at Shakespeare North Playhouse, giving you dedicated time to explore, experiment and develop your work in a supportive environment. We understand artists have different commitments, so we offer flexible scheduling where possible.

CELEBR8 – Share Your Work
Share your R&D process with an invited audience and receive valuable feedback to help shape the future development of your project. You’ll also have the opportunity to reflect on your journey, discuss next steps and celebrate your achievements.

Following completion of the programme, artists and companies become part of the ORIGIN8 alumni community, with opportunities to stay connected and continue engaging with our creative network.

ORIGIN8 is designed to support artists and companies based in Liverpool, Prescot, Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region. We particularly welcome applications from artists who are underrepresented within the theatre and wider cultural sector, including Global Majority artists, disabled and neurodivergent artists, working-class artists, and artists from the local area. These perspectives are an important part of our ambition for ORIGIN8 and will be considered as part of the selection process.

Apply via the form linked below!

Fill out our Equal Opportunities Form here.

Have questions about ORIGIN8 or whether it’s right for you? Get in touch via [email protected]

We’d love to hear from you.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Applying for ORIGIN8 is designed to help us get to know you, your creative practice and the project you’d like to develop.

Complete the Application Form. Tell us about yourself, your creative practice, your project idea and what you’re hoping to
explore through ORIGIN8.

Submit a Creative Video (Up to 2 Minutes). Rather than asking for a traditional written pitch, we’d love to get to know you and your work through a short creative video that reflects your artistic voice, style and way of thinking.
This is your opportunity to show us who you are as an artist and give us a glimpse into the world you want to create. We’re not looking for a polished production or a formal presentation , we’re interested in your ideas, your imagination and what makes your creative practice unique.
Your video could include:

• An introduction to yourself and your creative practice
• The idea or project you’d like to develop
• Images, sketches, writing, sound, movement or creative experiments
• A glimpse into your process or the world you’re building
• What inspires you about this project

There are no rules around format or style. You might choose to speak to camera, create something visual, perform, experiment with sound, or share your ideas in a way that feels authentic to you. We want to see your individuality and get a sense of the artist behind the idea. Most importantly, make it feel like you.
(Please note: your video does not need to be professionally filmed or edited. A phone recording is absolutely fine. Alternatively, a pitch pack may be submitted in place of a video to [email protected])

Shortlisting & Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to Shakespeare North Playhouse to meet with our team for a creative pitch and conversation.
This will be an opportunity to:

• Tell us more about your project
• Discuss your creative ambitions
• Share what you’re hoping to explore
• Talk through the support that would be most valuable to you
• Explore how ORIGIN8 could help you take your work to the next stage

We want the application process to feel like a conversation, not a test.
We’re excited to hear about your ideas, your creative journey and the work you want to bring into the world.

APPLY NOW

Applications close 31st October
If you have any questions about the programme, the application process or whether ORIGIN8 is right for you, please get in touch: [email protected]