Applause Rural Touring works with artists and communities to bring exceptional arts to familiar local spaces. Every year Applause commissions small-scale shows, developed specially for outdoor events and then tours this work across the Kent, East and West Sussex, Essex and wider regions network.

They offer exciting, professional and unique outdoor performances to a range of promoters including small village fetes and community events as well as larger established summer shows and festivals.

Applause is looking to support up to six new projects to be created for touring in 2026 to tour alongside previously commissioned work.

Opportunities

1. This opportunity is to support the creation of new small-scale work and for companies with a track record in creating or performing work outdoors. Alongside this Applause offers commissioned companies a minimum number of touring dates across their network, mentoring support during the creation process and options for subsidised rehearsal space.

2. This opportunity is to support existing outdoor work that requires some reshaping/development to tour rurally and for companies with a track record in creating or performing work outdoors. Alongside this Applause also offers development awarded companies a minimum number of touring dates across their network, options for subsidised rehearsal space and mentoring support.