FST Bursaries aim to nurture the development of professionals working within the performing arts in Scotland by supporting an attachment to an established theatre, dance or opera company, venue or design team in the UK or internationally. The objectives are to develop the applicant’s skills and experience as a professional performing arts practitioner, and to encourage the adoption of best practice.
In the past, FST awarded two types of bursaries: Assistant Director (which also included Assistant Choreographer & Assistant Movement Director) and Producer Placement. However, we recognised that in order to aid equality within the sector there is a need to broaden development opportunities. Therefore, we have adjusted the Producer/Director bursaries to be more inclusive of the diverse range of vital roles which exist within the sector.
The kind of roles that are now included within the bursary would be inclusive of but not limited to:
- producing
- directing
- design
- choreography/movement
- sound
- technical/production
- creative learning
- artistic development
If you would like to find out more about the Bursaries, we have an online information surgery on:
13 July, 11-12pm – Book here
14 September, 2-3pm – Book here
The bursaries help Scotland-based artists build up their experience by financially supporting their attachment to an established performing arts company.
Funding Available
The bursary is paid at a stipend of £450 per week. This is an educational bursary and therefore tax free. Host companies are required to make a commitment of a percentage of the total bursary of
£450 per week as outlined below:
• FST Organisation or Individual members: 15% from host, 85% from FST (Host – £67.50 per week + 15% expenses)
• FST Associate members: 20% from host, 80% from FST (Host – £90 per week + 20% expenses)
• Non-members: 25% from host, 75% from FST (Host – 112.50 per week + 25% expenses)
N.B. The FST membership categories above refer to the status of either the host company or the applicant – so where the host or the applicant is an Organisation or Individual member, the contribution from the host is 15%.
In addition to the bursary, successful applicants will be awarded reasonable expenses. A percentage of this will also be contributed by the host company, as outlined above.
Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion are a legal and moral duty and FST believes they are critical to the vibrancy of FST as an organisation and of the overall dance, opera and theatre sector in Scotland. As the membership and development body for professional dance, opera and theatre in Scotland we want to exemplify best practices and support our members and the wider sector to develop and share best practices.
We believe that in order to achieve this it is critical that we support artists/practitioners who are currently under-represented within the sector to develop their professional practice, therefore we particularly welcome applications from artists that share protected characteristics which include but are not limited to: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Upon submission of an application, we’d be grateful to receive a completed Equal Opportunities from from applicants. This can be completed by following this link.
For any enquiries or if there is anything we can do to help to support you in the application process please do not hesitate to get in touch: Fiona.mccurdy@scottishtheatre.org
Bursary Applications are now open for 2023
Two deadlines each year:
April and September
Upcoming deadline:
27 September 2023, 5pm
Following deadline:
April, 2024
The bursaries were established in 2007 and are supported by funding from Creative Scotland.