Commissions 
Deadline: 06 July 2026 at 23:55

We invite submissions from artists or groups of artists living and working in Scotland, working in poetry or a related art form. Applications are open to artists at any stage of their career. Submissions are welcome from artists working in any of Scotland’s indigenous languages or BSL, and from people under-represented in the literature sector.

This opportunity supports the creation of a new poetry-led performance piece of 15–20 minutes in length. Artists will develop their work over several months, with support from both Push the Boat Out and the National Theatre of Scotland.

Fee & support
Artists will be paid £1,500 for their commission including presentation of their work at Push the Boat Out Festival and additional bespoke support to develop the work will be provided by NTS. In addition to this up to two lead artists per commission will receive an accompanying programme of coaching.

Find out more here

Residiences at Little Sparta
Deadline: 29 June 2026 at 23:55

Push the Boat Out is partnering with Little Sparta on a residency programme to support the creation of new poetry-led work responding to the gardens and the festival theme 'The Space Between'.

We invite submissions from pairs of artists living and working in Scotland: the lead applicant must be a poet with at least one published work. Submissions are welcome from artists working in any of Scotland’s indigenous languages or BSL, and from people under-represented in the literature sector.

The residency programme will last three weeks, is not residential and the on site time can be scheduled by mutual agreement and need not be consecutive. It will consist of around 1.5 weeks at Little Sparta (a minimum of one week must be spent on site), with the remaining time spent in rehearsal and development, and the two performances. 
This will lead to the creation of a new 20–30 minute collaborative, poetry-led performance piece, which will be shared at Little Sparta on 27 September 2026 and then presented as part of Push the Boat Out Festival in Edinburgh (12–15 November 2026). These works should be ‘in conversation’ with another art form, and we actively encourage collaboration.

Fee & support
Artists will be paid a total of £2500 for three weeks of work, which includes the residency, rehearsal and development time, and the two performances. Artists will be reimbursed up to £700 to cover travel to Little Sparta, subsistence and accommodation if required during the residency. We can support with arranging local accommodation, but this is not included as part of the residency. Rehearsal space and technical support provided. Each artist will receive an accompanying programme of coaching through Coaching For Creatives

Find out more here