City Arts is looking for an East Midlands based artist/s to bring an interactive show, experience or workshop to our Hoopla! festivals for 0-4 year olds and their caregivers.
Hoopla! is a series of bespoke outdoor mini festivals. They take place in four Nottingham neighbourhood parks in Hyson Green, Aspley, Bulwell and St Anns. Each event attracts around 250 people, a mix of adults and children. The event on the Forest Recreation Ground in Hyson Green attracts around 400 adults and children.
We are open to any art form, but work must be suitable for early years children and babies. Things like sensory play, simple storytelling, puppetry, dance, circus or music would be suitable.
We present shows twice at each event. However, it you’d like to propose an interactive experience/installation that runs for the duration of the event we would be open to that. Your work will be timetabled alongside the other artists and companies we are presenting at the event.
We particularly encourage proposals where the work reflects the diversity of the neighbourhood that the festivals take place in.
All artists must have an enhanced DBS check in place or be willing to undertake one.
Dates, Times & Setup
The four Hoopla! festival events take place on the following dates. The successful artist/s or company must be available for all four events.
- 10am – 2:30pm, Tuesday 5 August 2025 – Melbourne Park, Aspley
- 10am – 2:30pm, Thursday 7th August 2025 – Forest Recreation Ground
- 10am – 2:30pm, Tuesday 12th August 2025 – Bulwell Community Gardens
- 10am – 2:30pm, Thursday 14th August 2025 – King Edward Park, St Anns
We set up each festival at 8am. Please bear this early start time in mind if you will be travelling from outside Nottingham.
Fee
The fee will be up to £400 per event, depending on the scale of the work. This amounts to a total of up to £1600. It includes your travel costs and VAT (if applicable).
How to Apply & Deadline
Send your application by downloading our form below. Email the completed document to recruitment@city-arts.org.uk along with any supporting information, images, video links or audience feedback.
The deadline for applications is 1pm, Wednesday 28 May 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 4 June 2025.