Developing Talent at The Dukes

The Dukes is a catalyst space: a facilitator for artists to create, providing them with the resources, skills and space to develop their work and practice. The Dukes places artists centrally and we ensure our talent development programmes are designed, informed and delivered by artists. 

What is the Associate Artist Programme?

Within our Talent Development programme, The Dukes’ ambition is for our venue to be known in the North West as a welcome hub for artists to collaborate and stretch their creative muscles. The Dukes is committed to providing support to our selected Associate Artists, who are at varying stages of their career, with the hopes of establishing a creative, empowered and balanced partnership. We also wish to bring artists together, so they too can expand their working relationships.

The Associate Artist Programme provides support such as:

• Free rehearsal space
• Programming opportunities
• Professional advice
• Technical and Marketing advice and support
• Hot-desking

The Dukes also offers advocacy within Venues North and other relevant networks and events.

Meet the Associate Artists Here: 

https://dukeslancaster.org/get...

Associate Artist Alumni

One Tenth Human 2022-2025

BLASTFEST is a festival packed with opportunities for Lancashire or North West-based artists. In 2026, BLASTFEST runs Monday 1st June – Thursday 4th June and features a range of other activity for artists, actors and creatives.

What We Offer

· £250 cash

· Rehearsal space (available Mon 1st June – Thurs 4th June)

· BLASTFEST sharing slot (15 min) on Thursday 4th June 2026

· Production photography

· Show Pack (for future programmers, co-producers and investors)

· Budget and cashflow templates

· Marketing plan template

· Audience vox pops

· Audience feedback

Your performance should have no/minimal set or props and you are responsible securing actors.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2026