May 21, 2012 by test

AFRICA HOUSE: ARTIST BURSARIES ANNOUNCED!!

THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST

Theatre Royal Stratford East announces 30 Nigeria House
Call for submissions from young artists of Nigerian descent for new awards

Theatre Royal Stratford East in collaboration with New World Nigeria today announces 30 Nigeria House, a search for original work from young artists of Nigerian heritage. 30 of the artists will be awarded up to £3,000 to develop their work, providing significant investment in emerging talents. This groundbreaking and exciting new project is one of the outcomes of Theatre Royal Stratford East hosting Nigeria’s Hospitality House (Nigeria House) during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

30 Nigeria House is also part of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK. Throughout the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Theatre Royal Stratford East will be celebrating the diversity of Nigerian culture.

Now, Theatre Royal Stratford East announces an exciting opportunity for new, emerging and existing UK-based artists of Nigerian descent and artists residing in Nigeria aged 18 – 35. Theatre Royal Stratford East is seeking fresh, dynamic perspectives from the art forms of theatre, dance, film animation, poetry, spoken word, and music. For submission information see Notes to Editors.

Artistic Director Kerry Michael said: ‘During this momentous summer for East London, we’re thrilled to present another programme at Theatre Royal Stratford East to support emerging artists. We hope to receive submissions from outstanding young artists from across the UK and from Nigeria. This project is very important to us in ensuring that our summer 2012 activities have a continued legacy in Stratford after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.’

30 Nigeria House also reflects Nigeria’s recognition of its talented people and aspirations to develop the Creative Industries in Nigeria, which are strongly emerging sectors. The Federal Government of Nigeria therefore, through one of its key development agencies, has developed an artistic collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East. This new project aims to assist 30 artists in developing a new piece of work through an award of £3,000 each; an example of continued commitment to new writing and new artists by Theatre Royal Stratford East and Nigeria.

The chosen 30 will attend the launch of the Nigeria Hospitality House (Nigeria House) for the London 2012 Games and 8 of these artists will participate in an event to share their work as part of Nigeria House, which is located at the theatre in August. The submissions from the award recipients will be shared with the public on-line.

Mr Waheed Olagunju, spokesman for New World Nigeria, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Theatre Royal Stratford East to realise our vision of bringing Nigerian culture to the world. Nigeria has a proud cultural history and we are thrilled to begin the search for the next generation’s most promising artists.’

From Friday 20 July to Sunday 12 August, Theatre Royal Stratford East is delighted to be hosting Nigeria House , which is the hub of all activities promoting Nigeria’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and a celebration of the best of Nigerian life and art, during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Audiences will be able enjoy a special programme and will learn more about the culture of this West African nation amidst a backdrop of the world’s athletes competing for glory.

For further information email press@stratfordeast.com or call:

Jessica Kranish, Communications Assistant on 0208 279 1120

Visit http://www.30nigeriahouse.com for guidelines

Deadline for submissions: 18 June 2012 (5pm / 1700 hours BST)