Frequently Asked Questions
-
First Steps: For brand new ideas for audiences of 0-6 years
Next Steps: For taking that first draft or second R&D to the next stage for audiences of 0-12 years
Both strands offer mentoring, training, acting education and training, free rehearsal space, scratch performance opportunities and tickets to Polka productions. View more on each strand’s page.
-
2026 applications have now closed. The next window for applications will be Autumn 2027.
-
2026 applications have now closed. The next window for applications will be Autumn 2027.
-
Yes, we would love to hear from artists outside of London, and have a small pot of travel funding to support with this. Unfortunately we cannot support international artists with this.
-
No. We can support projects with our schools and nursery contacts throughout development. We are just interested in HOW you would work with them.
-
The money is yours to allocate to the project and the development of the show in the most effective way and which will achieve the best results. We want you to demonstrate a rough idea of how it will be spent on your proposal, but if selected we can work with you to support budgeting.
-
We will ask all the selected artists and emerging writers what they hope to get out of the year on the programme. From this we will tailor training to best suit the needs of the whole cohort. This could be devising, writing, touring, marketing, producing, fundraising, co-creation etc…There are two training days across the year, both include approx. 3-4 separate sessions.
-
Yes, at our Big Dreams Festival we offer the chance to share the work you have been creating. This isn’t obligatory, but is a great opportunity to pitch or share to programmers, venues, directors and producers from all over the UK. It can be performance, pitch or any kind of presentation you like.
-
No, the First Steps strand is just for 0-6 years.
-
No, the show you make can be for any range of ages within those brackets. E.g could solely be a baby show for 0-18 months, or could be a pre-teen adventure for 11 & 12 year olds.
-
No, the programme is only open to brand new ideas.
-
Yes! At the training days, at Big Dreams – but also you’re welcome to see all Polka made shows at Polka, and our dream is to create a wonderful network of exciting artists who inspire each other.
-
Yes, there are no restrictions on who can apply in terms of experience, or creative discipline. We’d love to hear from makers, writers, designers, puppeteers, singers, musicians, all at any stage of your career!
-
Access is at the heart of everything Polka does, please include your access needs as part of the application and we will work with all individuals to make sure they can take part.
-
Read all about the 2024 Catapult Artists here.
Read about the 2026 Catapult Artists here.
Anything not covered?
Email us and we’ll try and help
