Closing date for applications - Friday 28 January
Applications are still open for PULSE Fringe Festival 2011 and application forms can be downloaded from http://www.pulsefringe.com/
PULSE 11 will run from 26 May - 11 June 2011 at multiple venues in and around Ipswich including New Wolsey Theatre, New Wolsey Studio and Sir John Mills Theatre.
PULSE is a multi-disciplinary festival focusing on new and innovative approaches to the arts and new/emerging companies. The Festival provides a platform for the development and presentation of new work by regional, British and international artists of vision, nurturing artistic ambition and excellence across a range of art forms including theatre, dance, comedy, music, event led visual arts, participatory theatre, physical theatre and circus led work.
PULSE 10 sold over 2,500 tickets and achieved 80% occupancy over a two week period with 58 events and even more innovative and exciting venues added to the list, with theatre in a bed-sit, a car park and even a shipping container. Some events were held at top secret locations, only divulged just before the event to add even more of a buzz to the festival proceedings.
This year, Festival Director Emma Bettridge is keen to see applications which span all genres and promote all areas of society (from cross genre artists to minority led work). The key is to find work that promotes new ways of engaging its audience or aims to give the audience a unique experience that takes risks, pushes boundaries and challenges conventions.
As an active curator, Pulse Fringe Festival provides an environment in which participating artists develop, grow and connect within their chosen fields and benefit from the strong networks associated with the New Wolsey Theatre and its place within the industry.
Applications must be new professional work or work by a new and emerging company. That is, new creations, new productions, new works in development or new touring work to Suffolk.
PULSE is supported by Escalator, an Arts Council England, East initiative which aims to identify, nurture and develop artistic talent in the East. The opening weekend of PULSE 10 showcased nine works that have emerged from Escalator and Emma will be encouraging Escalator supported companies to apply for PULSE 11.
However Emma is keen to point out that the application process is open to anyone who meets the festival's criteria. "We may encourage particular artists to apply but every application is judged on its own merits. This ensures that the process is entirely fair and maximises the possibility for new companies and artists to secure participation."
To find out more about PULSE 11 visit http://www.pulsefringe.com/ where the application notes provide a step-by-step guide to the application process.