FIRST DRAFTS x LOWRY

Callout now open for first-generation migrant artists in the North of England!

Deadline: Friday 10 December 2026, 5pm

Do you have a new idea you want to try out in front of an audience?

FIRST DRAFTS is a space for artists to experiment, take risks and test new work. For this edition, we are collaborating with Lowry to support first-generation migrant artists based in the North of England to share a new idea or work-in-progress.

We’re looking for artists working in theatre, dance, movement, circus or other live performance disciplines. Your idea might be at an early stage, or you might already have material you want to develop further. It could be a first experiment, a new collaboration or the beginning of a larger piece.

Four artists will be selected to develop and share work of up to 20 minutes at Lowry’s Aldridge Studio on Friday 12 March 2027.

What we offer

Selected artists will receive:

  • £1,000 artist fee

  • Rehearsal space at Lowry, where possible

  • Mentoring from the PROJEKT UTOPIA team

  • Professional photography and video documentation

  • Anonymous audience feedback in response to questions you choose

  • Additional support towards access and wellbeing costs where needed, including interpretation, language support and caring responsibilities

This opportunity is about testing ideas rather than presenting finished work. We want to create a supportive environment where artists can try something out, learn from an audience and discover where an idea might go next.

Interested? Read more and apply below!

APPLY NOW