---
title: The Motive of the Puppeteer
description: Open call for Fringe Arts Bath Festival 2026 exploring puppetry, control, and identity. Free submission, open internationally.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/352de576-0b12-41dd-8e20-71f3dfea0057
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-03-30"
updatedAt: "2026-10-21"
programType: Festival/fair
organization: Fringe Arts Bath
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/fringe-arts-bath
deadline: "2026-04-11"
location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
isOnline: false
disciplines:
  - painting
  - sculpture
  - mixed media
  - digital art
  - performance
  - video art
---

# The Motive of the Puppeteer

**Hosted by:** Fringe Arts Bath

**Type:** Festival/fair | **Location:** Birmingham, United Kingdom | **Deadline:** April 11, 2026

## About This Program

> "How meaning, identity, and motion are shaped, manipulated, or stolen — exploring The Puppet (subjects), the Puppeteer (controllers), and their relationships (transactional, oppressive, or symbiotic)"

This project investigates how meaning, identity, and motion are shaped, manipulated, or stolen, illuminating the tangled systems that script our roles and possibilities.

Submissions are encouraged from artists exploring the themes that will be presented in sequence: The Puppet (subjects — willing or unaware); the Puppeteer (controllers — visible or invisible); and the relations between the two identities (controller and controlled — transactional, oppressive, or symbiotic).

Media accepted may include: • Paintings, sculptures, masks • Puppets of all kinds (string, hand, costume, etc.) • Performative work (including literal puppet shows) • Digital, short movies & videos, AI-driven, or experimental interactive works.

Free submission. All are welcome to apply, of any age, status, and from anywhere in the world.

If selected, we ask Artists for a £25 contribution (like crowdfunding) and to give some of their time, as we are all volunteers.
Please read our FAQs here to find out more.

See all 17 projects open to submissions on our home page: fringeartsbath.co.uk

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** painting, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, performance, video art
- **Note:** All are welcome to apply, of any age, status, and from anywhere in the world. If selected, artists are asked for a £25 contribution (like crowdfunding) and to volunteer some of their time.

### Additional Requirements

Email to puppet@fringeartsbath.co.uk including: max 200 words about your work and how it fits the call-out (written, audio file, video, or another format); images of the work or links to video/performance work (or existing work if not yet made); any relevant links (optional); include the exhibition/project name in the email subject line.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** March 30, 2026
- **Deadline:** April 11, 2026
- **Program Start:** May 22, 2026
- **Program End:** June 6, 2026

## Contact

**Contact:** Ömer Ekmel Kara

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/puppet