Associate Artist

• Closing Date

  26 Jun 2026 5pm

Join Bristol Old Vic as an Associate Artist. 

Bristol Old Vic is looking for a new Associate Artist based in the South West to join us from July 2026 to June 2028.

The successful artist will join our current Associate Artist Caroline Williams (2025–2026) and two new Associate Companies, following previous associates including The Diverse Artists Network, MAYK, Beyond Face, Theatre West and 2024–2026 Associate Artist Saikat Ahamed.

We would like to use this opportunity to support artists who are:

• Currently based in the South West. We use Arts Council England boundaries to define the areas that qualify as the South West. To check whether your area is eligible, please refer to the Arts Council England Area Boundaries map.
• At a point in their career where they are keen to expand their existing practice and develop new skills.
• Interested in our organisation and keen to engage with the work we create.
• Experienced within the theatre sector, with a demonstrable professional practice.

We welcome applications from artists of all ages. Much of our current artist support is writer-centred, so for this opportunity we would particularly encourage Expressions of Interest from artists whose primary practice is not writing.

We welcome applications from artists working within a single discipline, as well as those working across multiple disciplines and artforms.

REPRESENTATION & EQUITY

We believe this opportunity may be particularly suited to individuals whose voices and experiences have been historically underrepresented or marginalised on our stages. Before expressing an interest, we encourage you to consider whether inequity or prejudice may have created significant barriers within your career journey.

Identity and experience are complex, and everyone is welcome to apply for this opportunity. We encourage all applicants to reflect on the role privilege – or lack of privilege – may have played in shaping their experiences before committing time and energy to an Expression of Interest.

Eligibility is always nuanced and more complex than guidance alone can fully articulate. We want to hear from as many people as possible, so if you are unsure whether this opportunity is right for you, please get in touch before applying. We would be very happy to support you in working that out.

HOW IT WORKS

In year one, we ask that our Associate Artist engages with the creative functions of Bristol Old Vic, contributing to literary, programming, producing, engagement and artist support activity across the organisation, as agreed.

During this first year, we want the experiences, ideas and perspective of our Associate Artist to become a meaningful part of the ongoing growth and development of Bristol Old Vic.

Year One includes:

• Two-day residential intro to the building.
• Two days each month in the building, spending time in a way that meets your curiosity about what we do.
• Regular bi-monthly check ins with our Artistic Director, Nancy Medina

In year two, we are keen for the Associate Artist to focus more directly on their own artistic development and practice. We will support them to shape a year of activity that nurtures their artistry and leaves them in a stronger place at the end of the associateship.

Year Two includes:

• A week of supported artistic development activity for one of your projects
• Bi-monthly check ins with our Artistic Director, Nancy Medina

Financial Support 

Bristol Old Vic will provide a bursary of £10,000 across the two-year period (£5,000 per year) to support the Associate Artist’s engagement throughout the programme.

HOW TO APPLY 

• The deadline for expressions of interest is Fri 26 Jun 2026at 5pm. Please send to.jobs@bristololdvic.org.uk
• Shortlisting will take place week commencing 29 Jun 2026.
• Interviews will take place week commencing 6 Jul 2026.

In your email, we ask that you answer the following questions:

Question 1

Share a short biography that tells us a bit about you. Use this space to tell us about yourself, the sort of work you love to make, and your artistic journey so far, including any highlights from your career.

Maximum 250 words

Question 2 

Tell us why this associateship feels like the right fit for you at this point in time. How do you feel you could make use of an opportunity like this? How might your artistic practice inform and support the work of Bristol Old Vic?

Maximum 250 words

Applicants are also welcome to include: 

• A website link
• Images of previous work
• Reviews or supporting materials
• Short video extracts (maximum 2 minutes)

We would be grateful if you could also send a completed Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring Form (attached below) along with your application.

If you are thinking of applying and have any questions we will be hosting an online Q&A on Thu 11 Jun at 6pm. To attend please sign up using this form:  Registration for Associate's Online Q&A

Please ensure you have read all guidance before submitting your expression of interest.