Lancaster Arts Test Residency: Circus

We are excited to announce our first ever TEST residency (formerly the Nuffield Residency). Our TEST model reflects the fact that we host exploratory residencies in our other spaces, such as our gallery, across campus and even in the city. This TEST will be in the Nuffield Theatre as we look for artists based in the north of England that really want to explore the possibilities of contemporary circus.  

How can the forms of circus be really investigated and explored? What new dynamics can artists bring to this artform, and what new meaning can be created? 

We are offering this practice-based initiative to artists or collectives who include contemporary circus in their practice, and we are keen to encourage opportunities to link contemporary circus with other artforms. We are seeking to support artwork that is innovative, contemporary and requires a large theatre space for its development.  

Each year Lancaster Arts explores a theme to guide, to connect and focus our cross- disciplinary artforms. This year, in 2023, we are exploring Ritual, and in 2024, this will be Flight. We’d like to hear how your research can be guided by one of these themes.   

We really look forward to hearing from you! 

Please contact alice@lancasterarts.org with any questions. 

Key dates:  

Application Deadline: Midnight Sunday, 9 July 2023  

Interview shortlisted applicants (online) 18/20 July 2023  

Site visit to Lancaster, week of 14 Aug  

Nuffield Residency 6 – 13 September (with a sharing on 12 or 13 Sept)  

You can find the full call out information here. 

You can find the full application form here.