Scratch Night March 2026
Micro-commissions for Scratch Work
B arts and Artshill Volunteer Performers Open Micro-Commission for new or in progress work to be presented at Scratch Night at B arts in Stoke on Friday 13th March 2026
Applications are now open for micro-commissions for scratch work to be presented at B arts Scratch Night on Friday 13th March 2026.
We are looking for new work or work in progress across theatre, stand-up comedy, spoken word, poetry, readings and theatrical/comedy sketches/skits.
Micro commissions are about new or work in progress ideas. There are 3 micro-commissions for £250 available. Perhaps you want to experiment with a new piece of theatre or sketch/skit, a new piece of writing to be presented (either as a monologue, duologue, stand up, spoken word, poetry or reading), try something ahead of a bigger performance, wondering if something will work, collaborate with someone different or just have an idea you want to try.
£250 commissions
All pieces of work should be no longer than 10 minutes, though they could be part of a longer piece. If you feel you have an idea that needs more time and can justify this in your application please do still put forward your proposal. Work on the piece can commence from week commencing Monday 23rd February once successful applicants have been contacted and will be presented at B arts Scratch Night on Friday 13th March 2026.
Scratch Night on Friday 13th March 2026 is open for new work on any theme. As a company we are interested in hearing from new artists that may not have had chance to work with B arts in any capacity before, though if you have worked with us before please do still apply. We are interested in commissioning as wide a breadth of work and ideas as possible.
This commission is open to artists working in and across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
Work will be presented at B arts Scratch Night on Friday 13th March 2026. This does not mean we are looking for finished pieces, work in progress and scratch performances is fine.
B arts Scratch Night will also be hosted by B arts volunteer performer group ArtsHill Performers. They will be performing a mixture of theatre, stand-up comedy, spoken word, poetry, readings and sketches/skits. The evening will also be open to performers from across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent who want to come and perform, and the donations from the ‘pay as you feel’ ticket model will be split amongst these performers. Those who receive the micro-commissions will not be eligible to receive any of the pay as you feel ticket donations.
You can find out more about The ArtsHill Performers and previous Scratch Nights here - https://www.b-arts.org.uk/artshill-volunteer-performers
Application Process
All applicants and any performers must be over 18.
Please provide a brief outline of your proposed idea, please include any extra background about the themes and content of your work, why you would like to present the work at B arts at Scratch Night in March and how this opportunity will develop your practice and help your work grow.
- Send no more than 2 sides of A4 or a video or audio application of no more than 5 minutes
- You should also complete the equal opportunities form and send across which can be found here
- Examples and/or links to your previous work
Please send all of the above to kath.stanway@b-arts.org.uk
The application deadline is midnight on Friday 20th February, decisions will be made the following week and successful applicants notified week commencing Monday 23rd February.
The applications will be reviewed by the ArtsHill Volunteer Performers and the B.ARTS staff team.
Timeline and Schedule
Applications Open: Monday 9th February
Deadline: Friday 20th February
Applicants Contacted: Week commencing Monday 23rd February
Work presented: Friday 13th March
Budget
3 x £250 micro-commissions
The fee must include
- Artist time to research and create the work
- All costs related to completion of the work
- Delivery of performance at Scratch Night on Friday 13th March
Contact
Kath Stanway, Creative Producer – kath.stanway@b-arts.org.uk | 07544814720