Theatre News

Applications open for the Kevin Spacey Foundation Artists of Choice Awards

The awards provide recipients with year-round funding and support

Kevin Spacey in a KSF workshop
Kevin Spacey in a KSF workshop

The Kevin Spacey Foundation, official charity of the WhatsOnStage Awards, has announced the launch of its Artists of Choice Awards.

KSF Artists of Choice is a pioneering funding and mentoring initiative, which supports a range of artists working across four different disciplines in the UK, US and for for the first time this year, Canada.

Four recipients from each country receive £10,000 or $10,000 in funding, year-round in kind support from the Foundation and an industry mentor. "It isn’t just a pot of money", says 2015 UK recipient Robby Graham, "it is more importantly a package of support tailored by people who are passionate about artistic development and who believe in your work."

Applications for the awards are now open online on the KSF website and close on 4 March 2016. An opportunity allowing for any queries or questions about the grants or KSF programme will be answered in an online Q&A session on 15 February.

Applicants will then be shortlisted and interviews with an industry panel will take place in early May. The awards are open to emerging artists in theatre, dance, film or musical theatre who have an exciting, creative and unique project. The awards will be given in early June 2016.

Kevin Spacey, founder of KSF said: "Last year's recipients have proven to be accomplished artists and have benefitted hugely from the support of my foundation and their individual mentors. I’m very much looking forward to reviewing this year's applications and seeing what creativity comes our way from Canada as well as the UK and USA."

Steve Winter, executive/creative director of KSF, added: "It has been massively satisfying to not only see the work develop but also the relationships between the artists we’ve supported. I know they have been inspired by each other and the commitment they've shown to developing their craft. I feel certain this year’s applicants will be just as enthusiastic and inventive with their project applications."