#1: A Creative Kickoff
Your Monthly Dose of Arts, Puppetry, and Opportunities
Hi there!
A huge thank you for being a part of my very first newsletter. I’m beyond excited to connect with all of you and share updates from the vibrant world of arts and creativity. This newsletter will be a regular update, packed with inspiring opportunities, events, and news for artists, creators, and performers. You’ll get monthly highlights in your inbox, and I’ll also send out notifications through Instagram (@hollylikespuppets), so make sure to follow along!
Thank you again for being here, and I can’t wait to dive into all the exciting things ahead!
🎬 Puppet Place Kicks Off 2025 with a New Year Puppet Film Challenge!
Submit Your 60-Second Puppet Film by January 31st – Don’t Miss Out!
Puppet Place has teamed up with the British Puppet Guild to launch an exciting 60-second Puppet Film Challenge this January. Create an original puppet film, tag @puppetplace and @britishpuppetguild on Instagram, and get creative with the number 25 in your film. It's the perfect way to start the year with a burst of creativity!
Deadline: January 31st, 2025 (GMT)
✨ The 2025 Children’s Puppet Festival – Hot Off the Press!
Call for Puppetry Shows – Apply Now to Be Part of the Festival This August!
Little Angel Theatre is currently seeking new or existing puppetry shows for the 2025 Children’s Puppet Festival. This is a unique opportunity to present your puppetry work to young audiences at one of the UK's most celebrated puppetry festivals. Don't wait – get your expressions of interest in ASAP to be part of the magic!
Send your submissions to: oliver@littleangeltheatre.com
Deadline: ASAP
Freshly Squeezed – Scratch Night in February
🎉 Freshly Squeezed is BACK in 2025! If you’re a writer looking to showcase your work, Freshly Squeezed Scratch Night will be taking place on February 13th, 2025 at The Golden Goose. They’re looking for scenes or extracts up to 15 minutes, and monologues up to 5 minutes.
Deadline: January 17th, 2025
How to Apply: Find more information and apply
The Great Con-Junction 2025: Don’t Miss The Final Chapter!
Light the Blue 2025: Call-out for Proposals
✨ Aberdeen Performing Arts is looking for proposals from young, professional, and emerging artists for their Light the Blue 2025 festival. The festival will take place from June 1st - 15th, 2025, and features a multi-artform programme of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film, and more.
They’re seeking work from:
Young people and groups (ages 5-25) interested in presenting new material in both indoor and outdoor locations.
Professional artists presenting interactive, pop-up, and studio work for young audiences.
Emerging artists (ages 18-30) presenting new work at various stages of development.
Deadline for submissions: February 9th, 2025 at 11pm
Location: Scotland (though applications are open to artists across the UK and beyond)
Find more details and apply here: Light the Blue 2025 Proposals
🎭 Rural Touring 101 – Free Workshop for Artists!
Free Workshop on February 21st – Learn How to Tour Your Show in Rural Areas
If you're an artist or performer interested in small-scale rural touring, Rural Touring 101 on February 21st, 2025, is the perfect workshop for you. Presented by Applause Touring, this free, one-day workshop will provide invaluable insights into how to successfully tour outdoor arts in rural settings. You’ll also learn about the challenges and opportunities of engaging local communities through co-creation.
Date: February 21st, 2025
Location: 101 Outdoor Arts
More info and Booking
🌍 Creative Europe 2025: Open Call for European Cooperation Projects
Deadline to Apply: May 13th, 2025 – Apply for Funding to Collaborate Across Borders!
Creative Europe’s 2025 call for European cooperation projects is now open. With a budget of €60 million, this funding opportunity supports projects that foster cross-border collaboration in the cultural and creative sectors. Projects should aim to innovate and experiment, so if you’re ready to collaborate on a European scale, now’s your chance!
Deadline for applications: May 13th, 2025
More info and to apply
🌟 Temper Theatre Creators Residency – Apply by January 19th!
Immerse Yourself in Physical Theatre and Ensemble Storytelling!
Temper Theatre is hosting a Creators Residency from January 20th – 24th, 2025, designed for artists, actors, and physical performers. The residency will focus on ensemble storytelling and movement techniques. Apply now to explore fresh ways of creating narratives and discover new creative possibilities.
Dates: January 20th – 24th, 2025
Cost: £300 (discount for students/recent graduates)
Apply by: January 19th, 2025
More info and apply
🎭 Good Chance Theatre: Deputy Artistic Director Role – Apply by January 12th!
Join an Impactful Theatre Company Creating Change Through Art!
Good Chance Theatre is seeking a Deputy Artistic Director to help bring their innovative and socially-conscious work to life. If you have a passion for using theatre to address urgent global issues, particularly those around migration and displacement, apply for this pivotal role.
Deadline to apply: January 12th, 2025
Location: London
More info and apply
🎤 Intro to Puppetry Arts: Virtual Class with Brad Shur – Starting January 21st!
Get Hands-On with Puppetry in this Online Class – Limited Spaces!
Ready to dive into the world of puppetry? Join Brad Shur of Paper Heart Puppets for a virtual Intro to Puppetry Arts class starting January 21st, 2025. This online class will guide you through the fundamentals of puppet-making and performance. Don’t miss out – register now to secure your spot!
Dates: January 21st – February 11th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Eastern
Cost: $150 (Early Bird Special available!)
More info and apply
🌿 Watermill Centre 2025 International Summer Program – Apply by January 22nd!
Collaborate with International Artists and Push Creative Boundaries this Summer!
The Watermill Centre is offering an International Summer Program for emerging and established artists to collaborate, share ideas, and push the boundaries of contemporary creative practice. If you're ready to immerse yourself in an experimental and communal environment, apply now to join this inspiring creative intensive.
Dates: July 7th – August 2nd, 2025
Application deadline: January 22nd, 2025
More info and apply
🛠 'Meet the Maker' Market at The Nutshell – Apply Now!
Showcase Your Craft at This Year’s Makers Market – March 9th, 2025!
The Nutshell Makers Market is back on March 9th, 2025, and they are calling for applications from makers, designers, and creatives. Whether you're a jeweller, painter, or potter, this is your chance to showcase your skills and connect with a community of like-minded artists. Apply now and get ready to share your creative process live!
Date: March 9th, 2025
Location: Winchester, UK
More info and apply
🚨 Don't Miss Out!
With so many incredible opportunities on the horizon, 2025 is the perfect time to get involved in the world of puppetry and creative arts. Whether you're applying to perform, create, or collaborate, now's your chance to make your mark this year!
Take action now – deadlines are fast approaching!
💬 Your Feedback Wanted!
This is a brand-new blog, and I would love to hear your thoughts! Do you have events you want to share? Or maybe there’s something specific you’d like me to cover in future updates? Let me know! I’m always open to suggestions and want to make this resource as useful as possible.
If you have events, news, or creative opportunities to share, please don’t hesitate to let me know! You can share your thoughts here.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @hollylikespuppets for the latest news and updates. I can’t wait to stay connected with all of you!
With gratitude,
Holly