Fringe artists: send us your project proposals to work with ASN schools or community groups in Edinburgh
12 October 2022
In the interests of making this project as accessible as possible, the following information is presented in several formats, including large-print download, captioned audio-video and BSL video.
The Fringe Society is looking for proposals to deliver creative projects workshops or performances with ASN (Additional Support Needs) schools or community groups in Edinburgh, as a part of our Fringe in Communities and Fringe in Schools projects.
To enable more people to engage with the festival and encourage the next generation of Fringe performers and audiences, we are offering funding for participants to run creative projects with local Edinburgh children and young people from community groups and ASN schools. This is a great opportunity for artists to engage with wider demographics, develop your practice and engage meaningfully with local communities in Edinburgh.
You will be supported by an experienced community arts mentor throughout the project and will be expected to:
- Attend a launch session with mentor and mentees online.
- Meet with a member of staff from the school/s or community groups to get a sense of the needs and levels of their children or young people.
- Prepare and deliver one to three sessions between January and March 2023; this will need to be agreed with schools and groups to ensure it suits their needs and schedule as well as yours. We will also be in touch with the selected artists to discuss any access requirements they might have, and how their proposal fits with the bespoke needs of the schools and community groups; we’re aiming to make this process as flexible as possible to ensure you can deliver your project in the way that works best for everyone involved.
- Deliver any sessions with schools in person. Sessions with community groups can be in person, online or hybrid.
- Receive up to two optional one-to-one support sessions with the mentor online or by phone.
- Attend a reflection and feedback session with mentor and mentees online.
This year we are working with:
1. St Crispin’s School
stcrispinsedin.com
St Crispin’s said:
"The pupils at St Crispin’s all have significant learning disabilities and autism. Many of our pupils do not communicate verbally, using alternative communications such as symbol exchange and gesture. Not all of our pupils can understand verbal communication and we use sign and symbols to support their understanding. Many of our children have differing sensory profiles with some finding lights, sound or touch challenging. All of our pupils are mobile."
2. Woodlands School
woodlands.website
Woodlands said:
“There are a range of learning, physical, social and emotional needs within the classroom. Communication and activities are adapted to meet individual needs within the class. We have learners within the class who are non-verbal and who use signing (signalong signs) and visuals to communicate. Visuals are helpful to know what is happening 'Now' and 'Next' which provides predictability for our learners. We have learners who are sensitive to louder noises so they may wear ear defenders when required within the classroom. Physical needs are also supported within the classroom and activities are adapted accordingly.
"Learners respond to music with great positivity and movement breaks are an important part of the day. Incorporating natural movement breaks within learning and teaching is great for the class. The class also enjoy sensory and play-based learning opportunities."
3. ELREC, Open Arms
“Our community group engages with minority ethnic and migrant women in Edinburgh and the Lothians and their younger children.
Our group often look at activities around climate, arts and crafts and upcycling, but we are interested in anything that is fun and uses the imagination, ideally using a minimal set-up! Most people in our group use English as a second or third language, so preferably the show or activity is not too speech-driven, and we would prefer an in-person delivery – we like meeting face to face!”
4. Y2K
youth2000project.com
“We are a youth project for ages 12-17 in Mayfield and Easthouses, Edinburgh.
"We are interested in topics or activities around mental health, gender and physical activity, but are open to any suggestions that empower young people and encourage creativity and confidence. We imagine that something in-person could work, or hybrid where the artist is online and the young people are together at the youth hub, meeting the artist on a screen.”
How to apply
Please submit a video or audio application film, no longer than three minutes and uploaded unlisted to YouTube or Vimeo, answering the questions below.
Alternatively, we will accept written applications in word or pdf format.
The applications will be reviewed by the partnering schools and community groups for selection.
We are particularly interested in hearing from artists who identify as under-represented in the arts, or are neurodivergent, D/deaf or disabled.
We are open to having conversations with the selected artists about their access requirements to participate in all aspects of the project.
You can contact the team on [email protected] or 0131 226 0033 with any questions about this opportunity or to talk through any access requirements.
Key information
This project will include:
- up to three delivery sessions in a school or community setting. (Please bear in mind that most groups are only available Monday to Friday, and schools only during school hours.)
- a launch session and reflection session with project mentor.
- up to two optional one-to-one support sessions with mentor.
Fee:
Total fee of £800 (inclusive of all delivery, planning and expenses).
Additional support is available for access requirements.
Important dates:
Please submit your project proposal by 02 November 2022 at 09:00 (GMT) to [email protected].
Successful projects will be contacted by 30 November 2022.
Application form
Part 1: Application
Please answer the following questions via audio, video or word doc:
1. Tell us about you (100 words max)
Let us know what experience you have working with children and young people, people with disabilities and / or in educational or community environments.
2. Tell us about your idea! (200 words max)
What is your idea? It could be a workshop, presentation, performance or something else entirely.
3. Do you prefer working with schools or community groups or both and why? (50 words max)
4. What will a successful project look like?
a) How will it benefit you to do this project and take part in the mentoring sessions? (max 50 words)
b) What would you like these school or community groups to get out of your project? (max 50 words)
Part 2: Contact information and supporting material
If you are applying using video or audio, please email these additional details to us along with the link to your application:
Contact information
1. Artist name:
2. Total number of Fringes in which you have participated creatively:
3. Name and year of your most recent Fringe show:
2. Main contact name:
4. Main contact phone number:
5. Main contact email address:
6. Tell us where you are based:
In short, give us a flavour of a previous project you have worked on:
If you have any links, pictures, or examples of previous work, you can include them here. Please keep this brief – three examples maximum.
Please do not attach your portfolio or CV.
Consent
I understand that the process and learning from this project may be shared as a case study online and I agree to contribute to this.
I consent that the details I have submitted will be accessed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and partners on this project, and will not be used to contact me for marketing purposes. (Yes / No)
Thumbnail photo credit: Matt Von Trapp (2019). Photographer: David Monteith-Hodge.