2Funky Arts is looking to work with artists from Black, African, and Caribbean backgrounds, for a performance showcase that will tour the Midlands during Black History Month. Artists selected will receive a £500 fee for developing & rehearsing their artistic piece, and £200 per performance.

> All performance styles are welcome (poetry, music, dance, theatre).
> Artists must be 18+ and must be based in the Midlands.

Each selected artist will be required to create a new, 6-7 minute creative performance piece that reflects and celebrates the vibrancy of Black history & culture. This could be an instinctive response to Maya Angelou's original poem ("Still I Rise"), themes surrounding Black history and/or issues relating to your own cultural identity (e.g. prejudice, liberation).

You can check out examples of previous performances here > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EcIhSCMWyk&t=7467s

Please fill in this form to apply - https://forms.gle/v5Etv4thyVYRno4P6

Please note, you must be available for all October tour dates and locations (Leicester, Derby, Nottingham & Birmingham).

TOUR DATES
- Fri 2nd October - Birmingham MAC
- Fri 16th October - Derby Theatre
- Fri 23rd October - Leicester, The Y Theatre
- Thurs 29th October - Nottingham Arts Theatre

Only 10 places available.
DEADLINE TO APPLY - Friday 26th June 2026

Artists will also be required to attend:
- a rehearsal feedback session on Saturday 12th September 12pm - 4pm (Artists will be paid £75 to attend this)
- and an online evaluation meeting on Monday 27th October 6pm - 7pm

Project partners - Punch, Baby People, Radio2Funky

And Still I Rise is managed by 2Funky Arts and supported using public funding by Arts Council England.