Theatre Artists Fund to become bursary scheme

The Theatre Artists Fund, a grassroots scheme supporting theatre freelancers throughout the pandemic, will become a two-year bursary programme.

Its creator, Sam Mendes, announced the plans to provide longer term support to the sector at the South Bank Arts Awards on Monday (July 19).

The Theatre Artists Fund, which has so far raised more than £7.3m and awarded 7,291 grants of £1,000, will work with Backstage Trust to create employment opportunities, develop skills and provide guidance to the freelance community. 
 
“We want to take what we’ve learned from our work and create a new and permanent way of empowering freelancers for the future," Mendes said.

The scheme would "ensure our theatre professionals are championed and included in the way they deserve," he added.

Further details will be announced later this year.