Take part in Lytham Fringe

Bring us your talent, your work or your idea. We will shape the programme.

Lytham Fringe is a curated festival for distinctive live talent, creative ideas and memorable cultural experiences across Lytham, St Annes and the Fylde Coast.

We want to hear from individual artists, performers, bands, collectives, companies, producers and creative teams. You do not need to arrive with a complete show. You might bring us a musical set, a poem, a spoken word piece, a dance work, a comedy set, a workshop, a film, a developing idea or a fully formed production.

Where it makes sense, Lytham Fringe may bring several artists together to create a mixed bill, showcase, shared evening or new collaboration.

This is a curated programme, not an open access registration process. You do not need to secure a venue before approaching us. Submitting yourself or your work does not guarantee a place in the festival.

How taking part works

1. Introduce yourself and your work

Tell us who you are, what you do and what you would like to share with an audience. This could be one piece, a short set, a contribution to a mixed bill, a workshop, an installation, a work in development or a complete event.

If you are not yet sure of the best format, that is fine. Show us what you make and tell us what you are interested in exploring.

2. We review and curate

We consider every submission in the context of the whole festival. We look at the quality and character of the work, its audience potential, its practical needs and how it could contribute to a varied programme.

3. We shape the right opportunity

If we would like to explore your submission further, we will consider the most suitable setting. That might be your own event, a shorter slot, a shared programme, a support appearance, a showcase, a workshop or a specially created collaboration.

We will also consider the venue, date, time, audience and technical setting. Artists are not expected to negotiate separately with festival venues.

4. We agree the practical and commercial terms

Before anything is confirmed, we will discuss the proposed format, venue, schedule, performance length, technical requirements, staffing, ticketing and financial arrangement. Each opportunity is different, so the details will be agreed individually and set out in writing.

5. We present the programme together

Once an agreement is in place, we will coordinate the central festival listing, ticketing and programme marketing. You will supply accurate information and promotional material, deliver the agreed contribution and help us reach the audiences most likely to enjoy it.

Who we want to hear from

We welcome grassroots, emerging and established artists. You can approach us as an individual, an act, a band, a collective, a company or a producer.

  • Musicians, singers, bands, DJs and sound artists

  • Poets, spoken word artists, storytellers and writers

  • Dancers, choreographers and movement artists

  • Actors, theatre makers and live performance companies

  • Comedians, cabaret artists and variety performers

  • Filmmakers and screen based artists

  • Speakers, interviewers, live podcasters and workshop leaders

  • Visual, digital, interdisciplinary and participatory artists

  • Artists making work for intimate, unusual or site responsive settings

We are interested in people and work with a clear point of view and a strong reason for meeting an audience. Scale is less important than quality, imagination and the right fit.

What you can propose

You do not need to package your work as a traditional show. We can consider:

  • One or more songs, poems or short performance pieces

  • A musical, comedy, poetry, spoken word or dance set

  • A contribution to a mixed bill or curated showcase

  • A support slot alongside another artist

  • A work in progress, scratch performance or new idea

  • A workshop, talk, conversation or participatory session

  • A film, installation or work created for a particular place

  • A complete concert, production or touring event

We may suggest a different format from the one you initially propose if we believe it will create a stronger experience for you and the audience.

Before you submit

A strong submission helps us understand both your creative practice and what would be involved in presenting it. Think about:

  • What you make and what distinguishes you

  • What you would most like an audience to experience

  • Whether you are proposing a complete event or are open to a shared programme

  • Your ideal performance length and the shortest useful version of your contribution

  • The audience you hope to reach

  • Your technical, staffing and space requirements

  • Your availability and how flexible you can be

  • Access requirements for you, your collaborators and the audience

  • Financial expectations and likely costs

  • Any rights, licences or permissions your work requires

What to include

Please give us enough information to understand you and your work without feeling that you need to create an elaborate proposal pack.

  • Your name, stage name or company name

  • Your contact details and location

  • A short biography or introduction

  • Your art form or creative practice

  • A clear description of what you would like to present

  • Whether you are offering a complete event, a shorter contribution or either

  • Your preferred and minimum useful running time

  • The number of performers and people travelling with you

  • Technical requirements, including sound, lighting, staging and power

  • Set up, rehearsal and pack down requirements

  • Preferred dates or times, plus any flexibility

  • Links to video, audio, images, reviews or previous work

  • Artist and audience access information

  • Any relevant age guidance or content information

  • Your proposed financial arrangement or fee expectation

If your work is still developing, simply be clear about what is confirmed and what may change. If you are introducing yourself rather than proposing a specific piece, tell us the kinds of opportunities you would be excited to consider.

How we select the programme

Programming decisions are made by Lytham Fringe. We consider:

  • Artistic quality, originality and potential

  • The strength and clarity of the artist’s voice

  • Fit with the identity and ambitions of Lytham Fringe

  • Audience potential and the quality of the audience experience

  • Suitability for the venues, shared bills and opportunities available

  • Whether the contribution can be delivered safely and well within the available schedule, budget and technical capacity

  • How it contributes to a varied programme of art forms, voices, perspectives and experiences

A strong artist or proposal may still not be selected. Capacity is limited and every decision is made in relation to the programme as a whole. We may keep someone in mind for a different format, collaboration or future edition where the fit is stronger.

If you are selected

Selection begins a conversation; it is not the final booking. We will make a written programming offer that explains exactly how we would like you to take part. This may include:

  • The type of appearance, event or shared programme

  • Your performance or contribution length

  • The proposed venue, date, time and schedule

  • Other artists appearing within the same event, where relevant

  • Fee, guarantee, ticket share, agreed costs or a combination of these

  • Ticket prices and ticketing arrangements

  • Technical equipment, staffing and production responsibilities

  • Marketing materials and delivery deadlines

  • Access, safeguarding, licensing and insurance requirements

  • Cancellation and change arrangements

Your participation is only confirmed when the agreed terms have been accepted in writing.

Who does what

Lytham Fringe

  • Curates and balances the festival programme

  • Creates opportunities for individual artists as well as complete productions

  • Builds mixed bills, showcases and collaborations where appropriate

  • Matches artists and work with suitable venues and formats

  • Coordinates the central festival listing and ticketing

  • Leads festival wide marketing and audience information

  • Agrees the practical and commercial arrangement with each participant

  • Liaises with the venue about the agreed festival presentation

Artists, performers and producers

  • Deliver the agreed performance, contribution or event to the agreed standard

  • Provide accurate copy, images, credits and artist information

  • Declare technical, access, safeguarding and licensing needs early

  • Hold the necessary rights, permissions and insurance

  • Meet agreed production and marketing deadlines

  • Support promotion through their own audiences and channels

Fees and ticketing

There is no single arrangement that suits every artist or event. An offer may involve an agreed fee, a guarantee, a share of ticket income, agreed costs or a combination of these. A contribution to a mixed bill may be structured differently from a complete ticketed event.

We will discuss the model with you before confirming your participation. Any financial responsibilities, deductions and payment timings will be clearly recorded in the written agreement.

Access, care and responsibility

We want artists and audiences to feel welcome, informed and properly supported. Please tell us about access requirements as early as possible so that we can assess what can be provided within the proposed venue and format.

Submissions should include clear age guidance and relevant content information where needed. Work involving children or vulnerable participants must follow appropriate safeguarding practice. Everyone taking part is expected to work respectfully and comply with the legal, licensing, insurance and safety requirements that apply to their contribution.

Ready to introduce yourself or your work?

When the next proposal window opens, the submission link, guidance and deadline will appear here.

If you would like to discuss whether you or your work may be suitable for Lytham Fringe, contact info@lythamfringe.com.