Generate Fund

Generate Fund 2023 submissions closed

The Generate Fund for Black, Asian and Global Majority Artists* provides financing, mentorship and programming opportunities to support UK-based Global Majority artists in bringing an existing show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Generate Fund is the result of consultation with a wide cross-section of independent artists, companies and organisations with experience of presenting work at the Fringe, and is a response to specific barriers facing Black, Asian and Global Majority Artists when presenting work in Festival contexts.  

 How to Apply:

• Submissions are now closed

• Please read our 2023 Generate Fund Information Pack before applying

• Here is a link to the questions in the application form (reference only)

• The Generate Fund 2023 panel comprises of Ellie Simpson (Senior Producer & Programmer) and Nic Connaughton (Head of Theatre) from Pleasance Theatre, along with Ameena Hamid (Freelance Producer), Nikita Karia (Assistant Producer at the Bush and Pleasance Trustee) and ShayShay (Freelance Writer, Director, Performer and Pleasance Associate Artist).

We hope that this funding will act as a catalyst and jumping off point for wider activity in the lead up to and during the Fringe. We hope this fund will bring together artists and stakeholders to discuss how to make the Fringe a Safe Space for Global Majority Artists (acknowledging the intersectionality that will be present).

Our offer:

We have made £10,000 available, with productions receiving investment of up to £5,000 from Pleasance towards the cost of presenting work at the Fringe. Alongside this direct financial support, Pleasance and our partners will also offer:

• A guaranteed slot in our 2023 Edinburgh programme at Pleasance

• A programming option at Pleasance London

• Additional PR support from Pleasance Futures

• Mentorship from the Pleasance and partners

• Rehearsal, development, sharing and work space

• Support to develop and deliver accessible performances (including the provision of captioned performances)

• Pleasance and partners will endeavour to do more to make our venues feel safe and inclusive for Black, Asian and Global Majority Artists (this includes providing pastoral care and support if needed)

• Pleasance work on a principle of encouraging sustainable producing, so the financing operates on an investment basis, but with the Pleasance recouping in the final position only (after all fees, expenses and costs of staging the production in Edinburgh are paid)

To be eligible for the Generate Fund for Global Majority Artists :

• Must be based in the United Kingdom

• At least 50% of the lead creators (which could include the Writer, Director, Producer, Designers or makers/devising ensemble) must identify as Black, Asian or Global Majority Artists

• At least 50% of the cast must identify as Global Majority Artists

• Propose an existing Theatre or Children’s production to present at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023. The show must be tour ready, with a minimum of two public performances staged by the 31st March 2023. This is a change from previous criteria as we hope to encourage the best work created and presented over the last year to come to Edinburgh Fringe. We are not looking for new, unstaged work.

• The show must be an Edinburgh Festival Fringe premiere.

• Due to the limitations of our available funding, and to encourage sustainable producing and fair pay, we do not anticipate the cast size for any selected production to exceed 5. This is not a restriction, but shows with larger casts will need to demonstrate additional confirmed or planned fundraising to ensure everyone is paid fairly.

• We are looking for the best work created in the last year by Black, Asian and Global Majority theatre makers. We are encouraging ambitious work, including but not limited to: ensemble based work, work playing with form and work that would otherwise not be able to be presented at the Fringe. 

• We also want to encourage artists to tell the stories they want to tell – exciting, political, surreal, comedic or hopeful. No preference will be given to work that tells a specific type of story, we want people to feel free to bring any work to the table - no limitations

• Be able to attend the Selection Day at Pleasance London on the 14th February 2023 (either in person or via Zoom)

The Selection Day will consist of a relaxed discussion with representatives from the Pleasance, Supporting Partners, and Independent Global Majority Artists with specific experience of the Fringe. We will ask you to bring a budget, as well as talk about the concept of the show, and how the financing will make a real difference. It is anticipated the discussions will last for approx. 30-45 minutes. Full details to be provided to shortlisted candidates.

*We adopt Global Majority as a commonly used term that is consistent with other theatre partners we work with. However, we acknowledge the limitations and lack of nuance of this term, and encourage this to be an opportunity for further discussion.Our definition of ‘Global Majority Artists’ is inclusive to anyone who experiences racism, or is marginalised or faces barriers within the industry for their race or ethnicity.

Generate Fund Recipients:

2022 - Block'd Off by Kieton Saunders-Browne 

           Made in India/Britain by Rinkoo Barpaga

2021 - Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her) by Martha Watson Allpress

Testimony:

 'Thank you very much to the Generate fund for allowing me to educate everybody about my dynamic journey. When I first stepped on stage in America doing stand up comedy, I never thought I would be doing theatre in the Fringe one day, but I have loved every step of the way.'

- Rinkoo Barpaga (Lead Performer, Made in India/Britain) 

'Being supported by Pleasance and the Generate Fund has been an invaluable experience for the development of Made In India/Britain and bringing it to a wider audience. From this we have benefitted with opportunities past the Fringe connecting with venues and developing the careers of everyone involved.'

- Zoe Smith (Producer, Made in India/Britain)

'The Generate Fund has given me the opportunity to get my foot in the door in spaces that I want to continue to create and grow in, that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. I wouldn't be in Edinburgh without it. It is a necessary change. This has been a learning experience more than anything. I have figured out what works well at the fringe, met more creatives than ever in a short burst, and been inspired on what kind of work I would like to pursue making myself. The Generate Fund is a crucial first step. I especially hope to build on my relationship with The Pleasance going forward from this. Their mentorship has been invaluable and we wouldn't have gotten this far without it. I will be able to use this opportunity and experience to further my career in all aspects. I've been able to gain connections with different theatres and industry across the country, alongside the knowledge of how to engage with them.'

- Kieton Saunders, Writer of Block’d Off 

'Taking Patricia to the Fringe with the Pleasance was a real dream. It makes such a difference to feel championed from the start, within a festival where it’s easy to get lost. The financial grant alleviated so much pressure from the run and so it felt like we had permission to enjoy ourselves.' 

- Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her) Creative Team

Downloads

Generate Fund Pack 2023 V2.pdf

Generate Fund 2023 Application Form Questions (FOR REFERENCE ONLY) (1).pdf