Receive up to £1000 to make your idea happen
What is this opportunity?
We are looking for creative ideas, which can take place in Autumn or Winter 2021 (on or off line) and will connect with the people of Deptford and New Cross, where the Albany is based.
Pizza and Pitches will take place in the Albany Garden on Wednesday 15th September. Five ideas are pitched, the winner is voted for by the public and we all eat a slice (or several) of pizza. The successful project will receive £1000 and £100 will go to each of the 4 runners up.
You can pitch anything you like, it could be a performance, a workshop, an interactive fashion show, a pen-pal project, a phone-poetry recital, a socially distant scavenger hunt, a whatsapp murder mystery, an exhibition, a talk or discussion, a party, a protest or something else entirely! It just needs to hit these criteria:
It should be able to safely take place over Autumn/Winter 2021.
It should be artistic/creative in some way.
It should be publicly accessible and free to attend.
It can be an online ‘digital’ project, or an offline ‘live’ project, or a bit of both.
It should be relevant to the lives of people living in Deptford/New Cross, and have a commitment to connecting with local communities. Be mindful that not everybody has access to a computer, smartphone or the internet.
We know that £1000 is not a huge amount of money to make a project happen, so we are looking for ideas which are achievable for this amount of money. The Albany can also help with marketing, equipment, space use and technical support if you need it. The £100 each for the runners-up is to go towards development of those ideas, even if it’s just paying for a day of your time to think more about them.
How does it work?
Five ideas will be chosen by a panel made up of members of the Albany community; Young Leaders, Meet Me at Elders, community artists and Albany staff who don’t normally have a say in our creative programmes. The people shortlisted will pitch their ideas live in the Albany Garden, we’ll eat some pizza and have a chat with each other and then there will be a vote for the winner!
Who can enter?
Anyone! Individuals, community groups, grassroots organisations, artists and companies. – You don’t need to have done something artistic/creative before, it might just be an idea you’ve had, that you’d like to try out. You should live, work, or have a connection to Deptford/New Cross/South East London.
What is the Albany?
The Albany is a performing arts centre in Deptford, South East London. We believe in involving people, through participation and partnerships, and are a hub for the arts and community. We present a huge range of events and opportunities each year, across artforms and for all ages.
At the Albany we have 3 different venues. These are available to be used for your project, or you’re welcome to use another space, if it’s the right one for your idea.
What access support is available?
We would be happy to discuss any access requirements at any stage of the process. There is a small access budget available if needed, and we are able to support with anything technical too.
How to apply
Please send us the following details:
Your name, and the names of anyone you will be collaborating with. Please ask their permission before applying.
A short paragraph about you, for example: the sort of work you like to do or make, what inspires you, and some things you’ve made, run or performed before – these don’t have to be shows, they could be other things like open days, workshops, parties, or protests! Please do not include a CV.
Your idea, clearly explained. If you would like to include a mood board, images, or links this is helpful for us to imagine what you are describing.
A very basic idea of how you think you would use the money. Don’t forget to pay yourself!
Any support that might be useful from the Albany or anywhere else, for example technical support or volunteers.
You can answer the questions in one of the following ways:
In writing – you can write a document up to two pages of A4 long
By making a short video or audio file, recorded on a mobile phone or computer – you can record up to 5 minutes long – if you are applying using video, please upload to YouTube or Vimeo as ‘private’ or ‘unlisted’, and send us the link. Remember to include the password, if there is one.
Send your application back with the document attached, or with a link to the video or audio file, to pizza.pitches@thealbany.org.uk with the subject line ‘PIZZA AND PITCHES PARTY’. If you prefer, you can send your application by post to: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
The deadline for applications is Monday 23 August.
What happens next?
We will let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted no later than Wednesday the 8th September – we will get back to everybody. Please keep Wednesday 15th September, from 7pm free, as this is when the live Pitches and Pizza Party will take place, which you will need to ‘attend’ if you are successfully shortlisted. – If you are unable to physically attend, don’t worry, we’re working out how we can still host your pitch.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss access support, please email pizza.pitches@thealbany.org.uk or phone 020 8692 4446. Please note that we may take a few days to respond so get in touch plenty of time before the deadline.