Associate Company

• Closing Date

  26 Jun 2026 5pm

Join Bristol Old Vic as an Associate Company. 

Bristol Old Vic is looking for two theatre companies based in the South West to join us as Associate Companies from July 2026 to June 2028.

The successful companies will join our artistic community alongside current Associate Artist Caroline Williams (2025–2026) and a newly appointed Associate Artist. They follow previous Associate Companies and artists including The Diverse Artists Network, MAYK, Beyond Face, Theatre West and Saikat Ahamed.

This associateship is designed to support companies at a pivotal stage in their development: those looking to deepen their artistic practice, strengthen their organisational capacity, and build meaningful relationships with Bristol Old Vic and the wider ecology of the South West.

We are particularly interested in companies who are excited by collaboration, curious about how organisations can learn from one another, and eager to contribute to conversations around theatre-making, audiences, participation and artistic innovation.

W ho We’re Looking For

We welcome expressions of interest from companies who are:

• Currently based in the South West of England. We use Arts Council England regional boundaries to define eligibility. To check whether your area is eligible, please refer to the Arts Council England Area Boundaries map
• Making ambitious, high-quality theatre or live performance work with a clear artistic identity
• At a point in their development where additional support, connection and strategic partnership could have a meaningful impact
• Interested in engaging with Bristol Old Vic’s artistic programme, values and wider organisational activity
• Able to evidence an established professional practice and a demonstrable track record of creating work

We welcome applications from companies working within a single discipline or across multiple forms and practices.

As much of our current artist development work is writer-centred, we are particularly keen to hear from companies whose primary practice is not playwright-led, including companies working in devising, movement, multidisciplinary performance, participation, digital practice, live art, community-rooted work, or experimental theatre forms.

REPRESENTATION & EQUITY

We believe this opportunity may be particularly valuable for artists and companies whose voices and experiences have historically been underrepresented or marginalised within the theatre sector and on our stages.

Before applying, we encourage you to reflect on whether structural inequity, discrimination or barriers to access have impacted your journey within the industry. We recognise that identity and experience are complex, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

We are committed to creating a more inclusive and representative artistic ecology and encourage applicants to consider how privilege – or a lack of it – may have shaped their opportunities and experiences to date.

Eligibility is always nuanced, and we understand guidance cannot account for every circumstance. If you are unsure whether this opportunity is right for you or your company, we strongly encourage you to get in touch for a conversation before applying.

HOW THE ASSOCIATESHIP WORKS

The Associate Company programme is structured across two years, with space for both organisational exchange and company development.

Year One: Connection & Contribution 

During the first year, Associate Companies will build relationships across Bristol Old Vic’s artistic and organisational teams. This may include engagement with areas such as:

• Producing and programming
• Artist development
• Participation and engagement
• Creative learning
• Sector conversations and events
• Audience development and community connection

We hope Associate Companies will bring their perspectives, practices and questions into the organisation, contributing to ongoing dialogue and learning across Bristol Old Vic.

Year Two: Development & Growth 

The second year will focus more directly on the company’s own ambitions and development needs.

Working collaboratively with Bristol Old Vic, Associate Companies will shape a tailored programme of support that may include research and development time, mentoring, strategic planning, artistic exploration, networking or other activity designed to strengthen the company’s future sustainability and creative growth.

Our aim is for companies to leave the associateship feeling more connected, more resilient, and better equipped for the next stage of their journey.

Financial Support 

Each Associate Company will receive a bursary of £15,000 across the two-year period (£7,500 per year) to support their engagement with the programme.

Additional in-kind support and opportunities may also be offered throughout the associateship, depending on the needs of the company and organisational capacity.

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 

Tell us about your company and the work you make.

You may wish to include:

• Your artistic vision and approach
• The kinds of audiences or communities you engage with
• Key projects or milestones
• Where your company is currently positioned within its development journey

Maximum 250 words

Question 2 

Why does this associateship feel like the right opportunity for your company at this moment in time?

You may wish to tell us:

• What you hope to gain from the relationship
• What areas of development feel most important to you
• How your practice, perspective or experience could contribute to Bristol Old Vic and its wider artistic community

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.