Transforming forgotten spaces for the arts

Spoken Word Open Call for Hidden Door 2027

We are now inviting spoken word artists to reimagine existing work or work-in-progress for our 2027 festival.

Our creative direction, Afterlives of Use, explores how places, objects, images and stories change meaning when they are moved, reinterpreted, reimagined or put to use again. We’re interested in how your work connects with these ideas and could inhabit an unusual festival space.

Please read the below guidance, alongside the general open call and creative prompts, before applying.

Key dates and information

Performance formats and collaboration

We welcome spoken word performances of 20–30 minutes.

We welcome applications from individual artists and existing collaborations.

An optional question in the application form asks whether you would be interested in expanding your proposed work through collaboration with another art form. You can indicate which art forms interest you and share any initial ideas; you do not need to have a collaborator in mind. Your responses will help us identify opportunities to bring artists and works together through our commissioned collaborations.

Collaboration is entirely optional. Any additional development would have its scope, expectations and payment discussed and agreed separately. Expressing an interest in collaboration will not affect the consideration of your work for presentation in its current form.

What you can apply with

We welcome existing work and work already in progress that could be adapted and presented within a festival environment.
This call does not fund the production of entirely new work.

Your work does not need to be completely finished when you apply, but your supporting material should demonstrate what already exists. Please explain what remains to be done, distinguishing between work needed to complete the performance and adaptations specifically required to present it at Hidden Door.

With our 2027 venue still to be announced, we’re interested in how your work could adapt to a range of spaces. Hidden Door has previously occupied buildings including:

Tell us what kind of space it needs and which aspects of its presentation are flexible.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to artists based wholly or partly in Scotland.

Applicants should show evidence of professional practice in spoken word, not including student work.

We particularly welcome applications from artists under-represented within the Scottish spoken word sector.

Artist fees and support

Our standard rate is £200 for a performance of 20–30 minutes.

Hidden Door is committed to paying artists fairly. Fees will be discussed individually with selected applicants, and contracts will be issued once an engagement is confirmed.

Further funding may be available for creative labs and collaborations. The scope, expectations and payment for any additional activity would be discussed and agreed separately.

Please identify the sound equipment, technical support and any specialist requirements needed to present your work in your application. Hidden Door provides microphones, static or roving amplification, and sound techs. There may also be the possibility of lighting and further technical support, but this will depend on venue constraints.

Our funding does not cover travel or accommodation.

How to apply

Submit your application via the online application form by Thursday 3 December 2026.

You will be asked to provide:

Please do not worry about grammar, spelling or formatting. These will not influence the outcome of your application. We are interested in you, your ideas and your work.

For performance footage, provide Vimeo, YouTube, or Google Drive links that can be watched online rather than downloaded.

Include passwords where needed and identify the section that selectors should watch.

How applications will be assessed

Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising Hidden Door team members and spoken word artists.

Applications will be assessed against:

Budget and overall programme balance will also be considered. We aim to represent a breadth of artistic approaches, experiences and voices within Scotland’s spoken word sector.

Everyone who has applied will be informed of their outcome by 11 January 2027. Due to the small team and voluntary nature of Hidden Door, we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants who are not selected.

After selection

Some artists may be invited to explore further development through workshops or collaborations. The scope, expectations and payment for any additional activity would be discussed and agreed separately.

Access

If you have access needs and would like to discuss support with making an application, please contact spokenword@hiddendoorarts.org

Once the venue has been announced, we will also be happy to discuss requirements relating to the accessibility of the festival site and performance spaces.

Apply

Submit your application via the online application form by Thursday 3 December 2026.