Information for Artists
Each year Hat Fair programs a broad variety of artists representing the best of regional, national and international performance across the street arts sector.
The Festival is renowned for delivering innovative and beautiful work which captures the imagination of its dedicated audiences as well introducing street arts to young people through its education programmes.
The festival has a long standing tradition of encouraging new companies as well as working with and commissioning new pieces from established artists.In 2007 Hat Fair commissioned:
- Mimbre – The Bridge (co-commission with National Theatre and Laban)
- Avanti Display – Leak (co-commission with Harrogate Festival)
Areas of Performance:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WHOLE FESTIVAL IS PROGRAMMED AND INCLUSION IN THE PROGRAMME IS BY INVITATION OF THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ONLY.
Small-Scale/ Circle/ Walkabout/ Hatting Shows
On Friday and Saturday of Hat Fair there are a large number of circle shows on the High Street and in Cathedral Green, and on Sunday we move to Oram's Arbour for a picnic in the park.
Hat Fair continues the traditions of the festival by permitting performers of these shows to hat.
Mid-Scale Shows
Cathedral Green and the environs of the city provide spectacular settings for mid scale, site specific or site sensitive performances.
Friday's day programme is focused on performances suitable for children, to accompany the School's Day procession which travels from Abbey Gardens to Cathedral with over 1000 participants.
The evening programme on Friday and Saturday features of a variety of outdoor performances across the city using unusual spaces.
Large Scale Shows
Over the last five years Hat Fair has programmed large-scale spectacles and performances from:
- Tuig – Salto Vitale (2007)
- Nutkhut – Bollywood Steps (2006)
- Bureau of Silly Ideas – The High Job (2006)
- Teatro Biuro Podrozy – Pigs (UK Premiere) (2005)
- Periplum – Arquiem (UK Premiere) (2005)
- Teatro Biuro Podrozy – Carmen Funebre (2002)
Music
Cabaret/Circus
For many years Hat Fair has hosted Cabaret evenings on Friday and Saturday of Hat Fair inside venues and temporary outdoor structures.
The Cabaret is a late evening event for over 18s and features a programme of performance and music.
Hat Fair also supports circus and has featured the award winning No Fit State Circus and in 2007 Bassline Circus.
Education/Workshops
Hat Fair has two dedicated education programmes on Thursday (Inside Out Day) and Friday (School's Day) of the Festival.
Each year we invite community and street artists to lead workshops with children in schools and in the City. These workshops are linked through the common themes of each year's activity. For example, in 2007 children participating in School's Day focused on the creation of performance, costumes, music and dance relating to animals from Marwell Zoo. Each practitioner works closely with our Education Director to deliver workshops resulting in participation in the School's Day or Inside Out Day activities.
For further information on our Education programmes, please click here.
Application procedure for interested artists:
Ideally, the Artistic Director should be able to see your work in a street arts environment.
Details of your work, current shows and reviews should be submitted to the
Hat Fair office with a CD/DVD and details of your website. Emails of interest
can be sent to:
Sian Thomas
Director of Celebrations
Email
Tel: 01962 849841
Commissions:
Hat Fair offers a limited number of commissions each year. If you would like to be considered, please submit by email:
- A detailed written proposal including:
- A summary of the project
- Outline of budget
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