Performing & Production Arts Challenge
Brought to you in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and running in parallel with our other Challenge categories, The Performing Arts & Production Challenge supports performers, producers and technicians in the performing arts to transform their artistic talents into thriving business opportunities.
What’s in it for you?
This Challenge will empower performers, producers and technicians to transform their talent into a viable business and to navigate confidently the entrepreneurial realities of the performing arts industry.
Network
Connect, learn, growBy joining our cohort, you'll connect with a select group of creative peers from across Scotland's University sector and benefit from direct mentorship from leading practitioners in Scotland's creative industries.
Training
Bespoke business trainingHosted by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, all successful applicants will attend a bespoke business training programme designed and delivered by experts in the creative industries.
£5k
Cash prizeIn addition to the training programme, successful applicants will have the opportunity to compete for a cash prize of £5k to help get your business started.
Plus
Alumni network and supportOnce you've completed our programme, you'll join a thriving and diverse community of Converge alumni spearheading breakthrough businesses across all sectors and at all stages.
Who can apply?
The Performing Arts & Production Challenge is open to staff, students and recent graduates working or studying performing arts and related disciplines at universities across Scotland.
Members of staff from all Scottish universities are welcome to apply including early-career researchers, academic and professional staff.
We welcome applications from postgraduate and undergraduate students from all Scottish universities.
Recent graduates (up to 36 months after graduation from the initial application date) from all Scottish universities are eligible to apply.
Team and joint applications are welcome provided one member of the team is a staff member, student or recent graduate from a Scottish university.
Applicants must plan to have their business headquartered in Scotland.
Active participation in all training sessions and events is mandatory for the lead applicant. For key dates, see the 'What's involved' section on this web page.
You must either own or have the right to use and commercially exploit all Intellectual Property Rights related to your business idea.
This challenge is aimed at early-stage projects that have the potential to become high-growth businesses. Applicants need to demonstrate feasibility and early market research.
If you do have an existing company, it must be dormant, non-trading or trading for no longer than 24 months with a secured income not higher than £200,000 (including but not limited to grants, investment, loans, revenue, prizes).
Judging criteria
Performing Arts Challenge applications will be judged on the clarity of the market strategy and the viability of the business model. We're looking for individuals and teams who have what it takes to build sustainable creative businesses.
Innovation
Understanding of your market and audiences
Viability
Resource planning
Impact
What’s involved?
If you're successful, you'll be invited to attend an in-person training programme held over two evenings in June, hosted by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
You'll then be invited to put forward a business case for your idea. Finalists will be notified in September and the winner of the prize will be announced at our annual Awards ceremony on 2 October.
- Application deadline
30 April - In-person training
10 & 24 June (evenings) - Business case submission
18 August - Awards (finalists only)
2 October
Take part in this Challenge
This limited-edition Challenge is now open for applications!
Book a workshop
Our Enterprise team are hosting an online application and information session tailored for creatives. Book here.
Book a 1-2-1 meeting
For support with your application, book time with one of our Enterprise team here.
Apply now
The process and deadline for applying is different from our other Challenge categories.
The deadline is 30 April (12 noon) and the application form is available here.