---
title: "Commission: Stomping Ground Call Out"
description: £20,000 commission for a short solo or duet using dance or movement, created for children aged 5-11 and toured to UK primary school playgrounds and outdoor festivals.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/0ead9bb9-e766-4354-b85e-deb0968d82dd
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-04"
updatedAt: "2026-09-30"
programType: Commission
organization: The Place
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/place
deadline: "2026-09-03"
location: The Place, United Kingdom
isOnline: false
compensationRange: £20,000 commission plus development support, up to two weeks of in-kind studio space, and a five-week tour
disciplines:
  - dance
  - movement
  - choreography
careerStages:
  - Established
---

# Commission: Stomping Ground Call Out

**Hosted by:** The Place

**Type:** Commission | **Location:** The Place, United Kingdom | **Deadline:** September 3, 2026

## About This Program

> "Short outdoor dance/movement work for children aged 5-11, encouraging play, curiosity, discovery and joy"

We are looking to commission a short solo or duet created for children and tourable to primary schools, festivals and other public spaces around the country. We welcome applications from dance artists as well as artists from other disciplines who use movement in their practice. The selected artist(s) will receive a £20,000 commission, development support, up to two weeks of studio space in kind. It will tour for five weeks as part of The Playground Tour and might be offered further touring opportunities at partners' festivals. The piece should be ready to premiere in May 2027. The piece needs to be suitable for performances in school playgrounds for primary aged children, to be presented as part of The Place's Playground Tour Summer 2027. Small in scale doesn't mean small in ambition. We are looking for ideas which encourage play, curiosity, discovery and joy, and want to commission works that are dynamic, engaging and centre innovation. We are particularly interested to hear from artists who incorporate dance styles which are underrepresented in the sector. We are looking for artists who are willing to test the work with children during rehearsals and use their feedback to inform its development.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Career Stage:** Established
- **Geographic Eligibility:** National
- **Disciplines:** dance, movement, choreography
- **Note:** Artists applying must: Be based in the UK. Be applying for a work with a strong and distinctive movement element - we welcome applications from dance artists as well as artists from other disciplines who use movement in their practice. Have previous experience of making and touring high quality work in different contexts. Not apply with a work that has been submitted to Stomping Ground before unless it's had further development since applying. Not currently be in education (unless at PhD level). Applications are invited from UK-based artists who define themselves as having an established practice, and track record of making and presenting high quality work. Applications are particularly welcomed from those who are underrepresented in the dance sector, including artists from Global Majority backgrounds, artists who identify as LGBTQIA+, deaf, disabled, neurodivergent artists and artists from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

### Additional Requirements

Complete the online application form (a video application is also accepted — follow the instructions in the application form). A Word document version of the application questions is available under the Access heading. Applicants are also asked to complete one of the optional Equal Opportunities monitoring forms attached to the application form. Applications should address the production, budget and timeline parameters, including any adjustments required for access needs.

## Compensation & Benefits

£20,000 commission plus development support, up to two weeks of in-kind studio space, and a five-week tour

**Includes:** Commission fee

The selected project will receive a £20,000 commission to create a new outdoor work. Artists are not expected to secure additional match funding. Performers' fees and agreed touring costs will be covered separately by The Place and are not expected to come from the £20,000 commission. Performers on tour will be paid a minimum of £660 / week, plus holiday and pension pay. Any additional performances will be paid through a performance fee negotiated with the presenting partner; the performance cost is expected to be within £2,000 per day, including travel, accommodation and per diems when possible.

## What's Provided

- **Studio Access:** Provided - Up to two weeks of in-kind studio space at The Place (subject to availability).

## Timeline

- **Deadline:** September 3, 2026
- **Program Start:** May 1, 2027

## Contact

**Email:** producing@theplace.org.uk

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://theplace.org.uk/opportunities/stomping-ground-call-out-2027/