Taunton Youth Culture & Arts Festival

Welcome to

TYCA Festival!

Taunton Youth Culture & Arts Festival

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Calling Young Creatives!

TYCA festival is looking for young creatives in or from the Taunton area for a series of early-career professional artist commissions.
You will be paid to create original material in response to TYCA’s 2024 theme: Out There.
This can be something to present at our July 13th Festival day or something we can screen, exhibit or share in any other way you might dream up!

Which art forms are we looking for?
We would love to hear from musicians, dancers, poets, circus artists, actors, visual artists, film makers, or really anyone who makes original creative material.
We set no limits to your creativity!
What can TYCA offer you?
We will create a bespoke package of support for each commissioned artist. This support will include, but is not limited to:A commission fee of up to £500 - We encourage you to value your hours and pay yourself appropriately for the work you put into this commission. You can also spend this on materials, software etc.
Support from local professionals - this could be to support your creative process or just someone to ask questions
Space to make - If you need access to a dance studio, recording studio or any other space we have access to all of the very best arts spaces locally.
Creative careers advice - Making it as a professional artist is tough and if you want to do it you need a plan! We can support you to plan this journey with advice and support from people already on that path.

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Who can apply?
All applicants must be 25 years old or younger on July 13th 2024. There is no lower age limit but if you are under 18 we will need your parent or guardian’s permission. 
You must either live, work or study in the Taunton area. How far does the Taunton area stretch? We have not set a strict rule here - please get in touch if you are unsure. This opportunity exists to boost the Taunton arts ecosystem so if you have a genuine connection to the area this opportunity is for you. 
You can apply as an individual or as a group. If you are applying as a group we will ask for one lead contact. If some members of your group are eligible to apply whilst others aren't the group may still be eligible. 
We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this opportunity particularly those currently underrepresented in the arts.


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The Theme
Our 2024 theme is “Out There”. We deliberately leave these themes as open as possible so you can interpret it any way you like. No idea is too out there!
How to apply
To apply please fill in the form at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions or would like any support in the application process please email ku.oc.notnuatstra%40islut or WhatsApp +447835536574
The deadline for all applications is 5PM on 28/04/2024
When will you hear back and when can you start?
All applicants will hear from us on 30/04/2024 and successful applicants can start as soon as they like.

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How do you decide who gets commissioned?
Sadly we always get more applicants than we can commission. Our youth board assesses applications based on their experience of our festival events and how audiences respond. 
We try to balance art forms - in 2023 we commissioned one theatre production, one songwriter, one visual artist and a short film.
There is no “winning formula”. To give yourself the best chance of being selected think creatively about the theme and try to respond to it in a way which is authentic, inspiring and will make people think. 
What if I am not successful?
We hate turning people down. It really is the worst part of the job. If we could commission every applicant every year we really would but sadly our budgets are limited and by choosing fewer applicants we can give each one a better level of support.
If you are unsuccessful in your application there are still lots of ways to get involved with the festival.
1. You can still present your work at the festival, we just can’t pay you to do so.
2. We intend to run this opportunity once per year every year so can come back to us in 2025
3. We can still offer advice, mentoring and signposting to find the right opportunities for you and your work. 

This commission opportunity has been made possible due to public funding from Arts Council England, Taunton Town Council and charitable donations from a number of trusts and individuals.

TYCA 2024 Festival Dates Announced!

We are delighted to announce we have received funding from Arts Council England andTaunton Town Council to support the delivery of our main Festival dates so get them in your diary early 
● June 11th - School Theatre Festival - Tacchi Morris Arts Centre● July 13th - TYCA Festival Main Event - Somerset Square and the Brewhouse● September 28th - The TYCA Stage at Taunton Together
We have a huge number of exciting opportunities to be announced over the coming weeksso watch our website and socials for updates.

See Previous Performances from 2020 - 2023

Enjoyed the festival and/or workshops?

If, after viewing or taking part in these you feel that you would like to make a donation to help Arts Taunton, through the TYCA Festival, continue, please click the button below. There is no minimum amount and we will be grateful for whatever you can give. Thank you in advance.

Our thanks ...

 We would not be able to run this project without ongoing support from the Brownsword Charitable Foundation, Arts Council England, Somerset Council, Taunton Town Council, Somerset Community Foundation and generous donations from individuals and charitable trusts. 

Want to be part of TYCA?

There are lots of opportunities to join in - to do something creative as the full programme unfolds.  To find out more... contact us with the button below

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