Deadline: 11-Mar-2026
The Without Walls Innovative Outdoor Arts Projects 2026 provides up to £10,000 in R&D funding for UK-led artists to experiment with new outdoor performances. The program prioritizes Music, Sound, Installation, and Walkabout artforms, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and under-represented voices. Successful applicants receive tailored production training and guidance to prepare their work for festival touring.
Without Walls is a leading consortium that supports the creation of highly ambitious outdoor arts. This 2026 funding call is specifically designed for the Research and Development (R&D) phase, allowing artists the financial and professional breathing room to refine concepts, test sustainability methodologies, and prepare for large-scale outdoor touring.
Why It Matters: Transforming Public Spaces
Outdoor arts reach audiences who may not step into traditional theaters or galleries. This grant is pivotal for:
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Artistic Innovation: Supporting “Music/Sound/Installation” and “Walkabout” forms that redefine the streetscape.
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Sector Representation: Actively diversifying the pool of lead artists to include Global Majority, d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ voices.
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Green Production: Moving beyond standard practices to find radical new ways to create environmentally sustainable work.
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Touring Viability: Ensuring new projects are built from the ground up to handle the unique technical and logistical demands of outdoor festivals.
Key Concepts and Definitions
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R&D (Research and Development): The investigative phase of a project where ideas are tested, prototypes are built, and collaborations are formed before the final production is made.
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Walkabout: A style of performance where the artists move through a crowd or a public space, interacting directly with the environment and audience.
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Global Majority: A collective term for people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, and/or indigenous to the global south.
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Access Provisions: Budgeted requirements (such as BSL interpreters, tactile maps, or quiet zones) that ensure a project is accessible to d/Deaf and disabled audiences and artists.
Who is Eligible?
The program is open to artists across all disciplines, provided the work is designed for the outdoors.
Core Eligibility Criteria:
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UK-Led: The lead applicant or lead partner organization must be based in the United Kingdom.
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Diversity & Inclusion: Strong interest in artists who identify as Global Majority, d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, or LGBTQIA+.
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Project Focus: Must be for a new outdoor arts project in the R&D stage.
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Format: Projects can be daytime or evening, stationary, promenade (walking), or processional.
Collaborations:
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International collaborations are welcome, but the contracting lead must be UK-based.
Funding and Support Details
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R&D Grant: Up to £10,000.
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Access Costs: Additional funding for access requirements (e.g., BSL, personal assistants) is provided on top of the £10,000 grant.
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Non-Financial Support: Successful artists receive:
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Training on integrating access and sustainability.
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Technical production training.
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Tailored guidance from the Without Walls Programme Team.
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How to Apply: Requirements and Timeline
Proposals are evaluated on the clarity of the artistic idea and the strength of the collaborative team.
Step-by-Step Application:
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Define the Core Idea: Answer “What is the idea, and who are the collaborators?”
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Detail the R&D Goals: What specifically are you testing or experimenting with during this period?
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Sustainability Plan: Outline how you will challenge standard production practices to be more eco-friendly.
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Prepare the Budget: Use the provided template to create a detailed expenditure plan.
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Access Support: If you require assistance with the application itself, submit your request by the February deadline.
Critical Dates (2026-2027):
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Access Support Request Deadline: Friday 20 February 2026 (12pm).
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Final Proposal Deadline: Wednesday 11 March 2026 (12pm).
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Notification of Selection: Friday 24 April 2026.
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Completion Deadline: All R&D projects must be finished by 31 March 2027.
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Mistake: Not Thinking “Outdoor”: Proposals that feel like indoor stage plays moved outside often score poorly. Consider the wind, weather, and free-roaming audiences.
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Mistake: Generic Sustainability: Avoid “we will recycle.” Instead, propose a specific methodology that challenges how things are usually built or transported.
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Tip: Focus on the “Walkabout”: Since this is a priority artform for 2026, explicitly state how your project interacts with public movement.
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Tip: Budget for Access Early: Don’t let access be an afterthought; identify those needs early so they can be costed accurately on top of your main grant.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does my project have to be about my identity? No. All supported artists have full freedom over themes and narratives. Proposals are not required to be about specific communities or identity-based concepts.
2. Can I apply if I am an individual artist? Yes. Both individual artists and established companies are eligible, provided the project is UK-led.
3. What happens if my access costs are very high? Access costs are handled separately from the £10,000 R&D budget. Without Walls is committed to supporting d/Deaf and disabled artists by covering these necessary expenses.
4. Can the grant be used for a final tour? No. This grant is specifically for Research and Development. While the work should be designed for future touring, these funds are for the experiment and refinement phase.
5. What is “Music/Sound/Installation”? This refers to works where the primary experience is auditory or a physical visual structure that people interact with in a public space.
6. Can I work with a partner in Europe or elsewhere? Yes, but the lead applicant must be a UK-based artist or organization.
7. When must the project be finished? All supported R&D activities must be concluded by March 31, 2027.
Conclusion
The Without Walls 2026 R&D call is a major catalyst for innovation in the UK’s outdoor arts sector. By providing a combination of £10,000 in funding, specialist production training, and a focus on sustainability, the program empowers artists to take creative risks. Successful proposals will be those that clearly articulate a unique artistic vision while demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility and inclusive practice.
For more information, visit Without Walls.