Blueprint 2026 Selection Insights
3 June 2026
Designed to support the Research & Development (R&D) of bold and innovative outdoor arts projects, the 2026 Blueprint Open Call took place between January and March.
As a network that supports artists to experiment and collaborate through Blueprint, and acknowledging the high volume of high quality proposals received in 2026, we want to share more details on the selection process and proposals received.
How many artists and companies applied?
We received 180 proposals for the 2026 Blueprint Open Call. Demographics of those applications are as follows:
- Global Majority led – 56 (31%)
- Deaf/ disabled led – 30 (16%)
- Neurodivergent led – 100 (55%)
- Female or Non-binary led – 138 (76%)
- LGBTIQA+ led – 67 (37%)
We shortlisted 20 projects.
What was the timeline for the selection process?
- March: Deadline for submission of all proposals
- March – April: Artistic Directorate, Without Walls and Programme Advisors read all applications
- April: Artistic Directorate submit their selection scores, the top scoring proposals are shared with representatives of the Touring Network Partners to read, then the Artistic Directorate, Without Walls and Touring Network Partners meet for selection meeting
- Late April: Final decisions are made and notifications are sent to applicants
Who helped to select the programme?
All of the applications we received were read and scored by our Artistic Directorate. Each Artistic Directorate representative scored the applications against the open call criteria; these scores were used to identify the top scoring proposals for further consideration at a final selection meeting.
The top scoring proposals were read by two representatives from our Touring Network Partnership, as well as a representative from our Artist Advisory Group and a Programme Advisor ahead of the final selection meeting. All four advisors joined the meeting to offer additional insights and perspectives.
During the selection meeting, attention was paid to projects led by artists and companies currently under-represented in the sector, ensuring that the final body of work selected reflects our shared commitment to representation, equity, diversity and inclusion.
As part of our commitment to transparency, all Artistic Directorate partners were required to declare any conflicts of interest, whether financial, personal, or professional, in relation to any of the projects under consideration.
In attendance at the selection meeting:
- Clive Lyttle (Certain Blacks)
- Parmjit Sagoo (Inspirate)
- Bradley Hemmings (Festival.org)
- Juliet Hardy (SIRF)
- Kate Wood (Activate Performing Arts)
- Mark Denbigh (Norfolk and Norwich Festival)
- Matt Evans (Birmingham Hippodrome)
- Polly Barker (Brighton Festival)
- Phil Hargreaves (Freedom Festival)
Observers and Advisers
- Nandita Shankardass (Artist Advisory Group)
- Alison Hamilton (Basingstoke Festival)
- Ebony George (Vision Redbridge)
- Sophie Akbar (Programme Advisor)
Without Walls team
- Kully Thiarai, Chair
- Ralph Kennedy, Chief Executive
- Dom Kippin, Head of Programmes
- Grace Neville-Evans, Senior Programme Manager
How many projects were selected for the 2026 Blueprint R&D Programme?
From the 20 shortlisted proposals, 10 projects were selected. Here are how the 10 companies self described their main artform:
- Walkabout
- Dance
- Combined Arts – Live Music, Dance, Theatre and Clowning
- Physical Theatre
- Music / Sound
- Aerial
- Dance Theatre
Demographic breakdown:
- Global Majority led – 4 (40%)
- Deaf, disabled led – 4 (40%)
- Neurodivergent led – 6 (60%)
- Female or Non Binary led- 3 (30%)
- LGBQTIA+ led – 2 (20%)
Current Opportunities
Image credits:
Banner and image one: Poppy Plowman – Shadow and Persona © Poppy Plowman
Image two: Symoné – A Place between Mass and Echoes © Vanda Varela
Image three: Nikki Charlesworth – What happened to you? © Tim Nyguyen