OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS for DIDSBURY ARTS FESTIVAL 2026 (Sat 27 June – Sun 05 July)

This is the OPEN CALL for artists, performers, exhibits, events and creative activities to become part of the official Didsbury Arts Festival line-up.

Selecting from online entries, Didsbury Arts Festival (DAF) encourage individuals, groups and organisations to apply, whether amateur enthusiasts or professionals.

Our festival aims to reflect the diversity of people across South Manchester, Greater Manchester and beyond, showcasing emerging talent alongside more established practitioners and artists.

Where possible, it would be great if applications could represent or connect with the DAF2026 festival theme of 'Visibility and Invisibility' - combining the power of the imagination with the right to be seen, comparing life stories and experiences that can be overlooked with those that it is hard to avoid, as well as thinking about what you can and can't see, what you can only hear, or remember, or dream of...

We are keen to help profile artists from our local area and our wider city region, as well as artists from further afield with exciting and high quality contributions to make. We’re also keen to profile artists from all backgrounds (cultural, socio-economic etc.) and with all characteristics (age, gender, race, sexuality, disability etc.) particularly those less represented in the arts in this country, so please do indicate if relevant.

This year's festival will include the Big Burnage Parade, and we are particularly interested in local groups and artists who could contribute to this in any way. If this is the case for you, please indicate it in your proposal.

We do encourage early submissions if at all possible. The final deadline is 9.00am on Monday 16th February 2026.

Section 1: Contact details

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Section 2: Your proposal

Please indicate which artform your proposal belongs to:*
Please indicate which artform your proposal belongs to:
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Please describe your performance, exhibit, event or activity and give us the detail
that will help us to understand your proposal.

Description/outline:

  • Please tell us what it is (rather than how you would sell it to an audience). What
    art do you want to present? How will it be delivered? What will the audience experience?
  • If it is visual art (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc)… What size is it? How will it be
    prepared? e.g. plinth-mounted or framed by you? etc.
  • If it is a performance… How many performers are involved, what space layout does it
    need and how long is the event?
  • Is it aimed at a specific audience?... e.g. Is it primarily for children, families, adults,
    those with particular access needs etc?
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Links:

  • Please provide any links to websites/videos/examples if you have them (maximum of
    three links).
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Resources:

  • Aside from any artists involved, what staffing would your proposal require? (e.g. technical
    operators, Front of House, invigilators, facilitators etc.)
  • What technical requirements, equipment, or other resources would be needed? (e.g. stage,
    lighting, PA system, microphones, projector and screen, other etc.)
  • Can you provide all of these?... If not, which would you need DAF to help with?
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Venue:

  • Do you have any local venues in mind that would be suitable for your proposal?
  • What size and type of space would you need for your proposal?
  • Indoors or outdoors?
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Promotion:

  • All chosen activities will be included in the festival programme and promoted across all
    of our platforms and via our teams, partners and connections. However, if selected,
    would you also create and circulate your own publicity? If so what form would it take?
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Short blurb:

  • In a maximum of 10 words, describe what it is (for advertising purposes).
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Blurb:

  • Please provide between 40 words minimum and 80 words maximum, aimed at
    attracting an audience to your work. This might include a few words that describe it, a
    few that indicate what they might feel, a few that indicate the quality, and few that say
    who you are.
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Image:

Do you have an image or photo available that you can forward? If so, please email it to
info@didsburyartsfestival.org, with OPEN CALL IMAGE in the subject line, making clear
who you are and what artwork it is connected to.

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Availability:

We need to plan events around each other. Please indicate which dates, times, and frequency
you are available for

Dates: Which dates can you perform/exhibit/take part
Dates: Which dates can you perform/exhibit/take part
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Times:
Times:
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How often can you perform/exhibit?
How often can you perform/exhibit?
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Would you be interested and able to run a workshop for a school or community group? Or a ticketed workshop where profits could be shared with DAF?
Would you be interested and able to run a workshop for a school or community group? Or a ticketed workshop where profits could be shared with DAF?
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Are there any costs or financial considerations?
Some of our events will be ticketed and some will be free to attend. Regrettably, as a registered charity with limited funds, DAF will not be able to provide a fee to many of those who take part in the festival. However, if income is a priority, we might be able to contribute. Please indicate below (tick all that are relevant):
<strong>Are there any costs or financial considerations?</strong><br />Some of our events will be ticketed and some will be free to attend. Regrettably, as a registered charity with limited funds, DAF will not be able to provide a fee to many of those who take part in the festival. However, if income is a priority, we might be able to contribute. Please indicate below (tick all that are relevant):
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  • All accepted proposals will have to adhere to the festival and local authority policies
    and guidance regarding health & safety, safeguarding, equality and working conditions.
  • While the pandemic has largely become just a memory, there is always the possibility
    that external factors may impact on the viability of events during DAF, as well as on
    ticket sales and admissions.
  • If selected, you may be required to provide additional publicity material, and/or
    additional information for DAF to use without any restrictions.
Please tick this box to confirm that you have read and understood the bullet points above*
Please tick this box to confirm that you have read and understood the bullet points above
Please complete this field

Data Protection Statement:
The information you provide on this application form will be used solely to process your application, and assess the possibility of your project's inclusion in Didsbury Arts Festival 2026. We may share your information with third parties involved in the delivery of the festival, such as potential venues, under robust data protection agreements. We will securely store your data for 6 months after the Open Call closes, after which it will be securely destroyed, unless you work is selected, in which case the data will be securely destroyed 6 months after the festival ends. We will only use your data for the purpose it was collected. For information regarding how we use your data, what your rights are, and how to make a complaint, please refer to our full Privacy Notice or contact our Data Protection Officer on info@didsburyartsfestival.org. 

 

Thank you for your submission, and the time it's taken, we'll be in touch!

 

DAF IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

GOLD SPONSORS

Arts Council England
SIEMENS
ABA

SILVER SPONSORS

Julian Wadden
Stealth Design and Branding
Sterling Partners

BRONZE SPONSORS

Salehs Solicitors
The Glossy Magazine
Didsbury Post
Torvell and Partners

CORPORATE FRIENDS

Food Sorcery
Torvell and Partners
Waterside Hotel
The Glossy Magazine