Children’s theatre company, Catherine Wheels, have launched a new fund, Make Space, to mark their 20th anniversary year. The fund is for applicants across Scotland and across disciplines who would like to investigate new ways of creating and presenting children’s theatre. The fund will provide applicants with resources to research and develop their ideas, along with the support of Catherine Wheels’ team.

The company wants to use the fund to question the traditional idea of children’s theatre and uncover new ways of working. Applicants are invited to address issues including carbon-neutral touring, creating work for online audiences, and presenting work in flexible spaces. A large emphasis will also be placed on engaging local communities, and Catherine Wheels hopes that one of the projects will support an idea based in their home region of East Lothian.

Funds of up to £2,000 per project for five applicants are available via Make Space. The fund can be used to pay for the applicant’s own time, working with others, materials and associated costs of delivering their idea. Deadline for applications is 12pm on Friday 29 May and successful projects will be announced on Friday 5 June.

“We recognise that this is a time for great uncertainty for artists and for our sector generally,” said Artistic Director Gill Robertson. “Rather than shy away from that, we want to embrace it and use it as a provocation to really dig deep into what children’s theatre could be. This fund turns everything on its head and asks some really big questions. I am excited to see what new ways of working we can discover and support.”

For more information on Make Space and how to apply, visit www.catherinewheels.co.uk