This is an open call for artists to suggest material for The Library Presents menu for Autumn (October - December) 2025. The events will be predominantly in-person in libraries.

Applications can be made using the online form below or by video submission.

There is a video reading of this brief and the application questions (with subtitles).

If you have any queries regarding the programme or this open call please email: florence.tong@babylonarts.org.uk

The fee is a maximum of £1000 per performance (excluding VAT)

This fee should include travel and accommodation costs.

A minimum of 30% of our final programme will be events with increased accessibility; BSL interpreters, relaxed performance, audio described etc. We are willing to work with artists to source interpreters and have a small budget for accessibility provisions. If you are able to provide additional access or are open to working with us to do this please let us know and include in your budget if possible.

Video Submission

Submit a link to your video application via email, the video should be maximum 8 minutes and send as a link to florence.tong@babylonarts.org.uk (do not send a video file, we will not receive it).

More details on the application process can be found below or in the ‘Application Questions’ PDF or video.

Deadline for expressions of interest is 27 January 2025, 11.45pm

The Library Presents programme has a two-phase selection process:

• An open call, where we welcome Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from artists, suggesting material for The Library Presents menu. Artists will be notified by 6 March 2025 if they have been shortlisted for the menu. 
• The selected EOI's are compiled onto a Menu that becomes available to the public. The public will then choose what arts activities they would like to see in their respective libraries. By 22 May 2025 artists will be notified whether they have been selected for the programme.

The Library Presents takes great art into local community venues, usually the libraries. The programme is accessible, inclusive and diverse. Find out more about the wider The Library Presents project on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

 
Who can apply?

The Call-Out is open to artists/organisations across the UK.

‘Artists’ includes: individuals, companies, organisations, collectives and collaborative partnerships across all art forms.

We want to ensure our programme embraces artists from all backgrounds and this includes, artists of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ artists, disabled artists or artists with other protected characteristics that are underrepresented.

 

Our programme will include:

• Key calendar dates and themes we would like to be represented: Black History Month; the 30th Anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
• A variety of art forms - music, theatre, dance, comedy, animation, poetry, visual art, gaming, creative technology, magic, storytelling, art and craft etc.
• A variety of topics and interests, reflecting different cultures and backgrounds.
• A balance of content for adults, families and young people (12+yrs) across the whole programme (we do not expect one proposal to be for all these groups).
• Content that will appeal to new audiences, particularly young adults 16-35 years and teenagers 12-16 years.
• Content that includes creative / digital technologies. 
• Demonstration of environmental responsibility through resources /materials used or possibly content.
• A mix of content that is innovative, imaginative, fun, reflective, entertaining, interactive, educational or supporting wellbeing.
• Work designed with audiences in mind who are D/deaf, have profound and multiple learning disabilities, or are neurodiverse.
• No content with (gratuitous) swearing, (explicit) sexual content or biased party political content.
• Content that is welcoming, inclusive and easy to access/understand. 
• High quality work that is well produced. 
• Wraparound events, for example a zoom workshop or live streaming are encouraged, in order to ensure the programme is accessible to as many people as possible.

Logistical considerations:

• Performances should aim to be 90 minutes plus time for an interval.
• For family performances the 90 minutes can include an associated workshop.
• In person and digital wrap-around activity is welcomed, please include the costs where it is additional to the 90 minute event.
• Get in time can be no more than 2.5 hours before doors open. e.g. 7.30 show start, 7pm doors open, 4.30pm get in can start.
• Libraries cannot provide technician support.
• Some performance spaces may be accessed through single doors or located on a first floor.

The fee must cover all your costs including:

• Liaison with The Library Presents staff.
• Planning, Production, Resources & Delivery.
• Travel & accommodation costs. 
• Support of the promotion of the event via the artists own social media, website or newsletter.
• The artist will be wholly responsible for their own income tax, national insurance and other similar contributions which may be payable out of, or as a result of, the receipt of any fee paid by Cambridgeshire County Council for The Library Presents activity.

What the fee can be used for:

• Work that is ready and fully developed for touring/sharing. 
• Paying for specific elements of a piece of work where some costs are already covered by other funders – please be specific, we need to ensure we are not double funding.
• Artist time to deliver live events (for further guidance on artist fee structures, please refer to this document).

Support and resources from ‘The Library Presents’ will include:

• 'Advice surgeries' available in advance of submitting an application. Please sign up here.
• Promotion through our communications channels.
• Box office service
• Collection of audience/participant feedback which will be shared with artists at the end of the season.

Please provide the following organisation and contact details:

Proposal

Describe your proposal in 800-1000 words. 

Please make sure you tell us about the following when describing your idea:

1. What is the content and is it themed?
2. Who is your content for? (age, interests, skill level)
3. How long is the content?
4. Describe what an audience will experience.
5. Is there a maximum capacity?
6. What is your minimum space requirement?
7. Would the work tie in with any of the following key calendar dates or themes; Black History Month or the 30th Anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995?
8. What is your experience of delivering the type of content you are proposing?
9. Is it part of a larger project? If it is, how does it fit in?
10. Does the work link with anything you have delivered as part of The Library Presents scheme?