LGBTQIA+ Opportunities
Funding, training, open calls, commissions and residencies; this section gathers together opportunities specifically designed for LGBTQIA+ artists, or open opportunities that actively welcome queer creatives.
Alternative Classical Jobs Board
A round-up of some of the arts jobs available at the moment, as well as open calls for composers, and funding pots for musical and creative projects.
Arts Council England – Diversity & Inclusion Funding
www.artscouncil.org.uk/our-open-funds
While not LGBTQIA+ specific, ACE funds underrepresented voices. Many LGBTQIA+ artists apply through Developing Your Creative Practice or Project Grants.
The BFI – LGBTQIA+ Film Development Funding
Offers funding and development for queer filmmakers through NETWORK, Doc Society, and Vision Awards.
The Cocoa Butter Club – Performance Collective
A cabaret collective showcasing queer performers of colour. Hosts events around the UK with open performer slots.
A first of its kind, TCBC gives a voice to Black, Asian and racially othered performers with showcases, classes and professional productions, including cabarets.​
Founded in 2016, by cabaret star Sadie Sinner, this is a creative clap-back to cultural appropriation, lack of representation, and imitation, such as black-facing in performance.
Creative Scotland – Open Fund: Individuals
Supports freelance artists in Scotland. LGBTQIA+ applicants encouraged
Duckie – Artist & Performer Opportunities
Legendary queer club performance night. Known for commissioning cabaret, performance art and drag work with a strong social mission.
Homotopia – QueerCore Artist Development Programme
Annual development programme supporting emerging LGBTQIA+ artists with funding, mentorship and performance slots.
Jerwood Foundation – Jerwood New Work Fund
Supports early-career artists from marginalised communities. Often funds LGBTQIA+ projects and partners with queer-led orgs.
Jerwood Foundation supports excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK and welcomes funding applications from organisations.
Queer Contact Festival
Annual festival of LGBTQIA+ performance. Regular call-outs for emerging artists and new work.
Raze Collective – Micro Commissions
Offers paid commissions for queer performers and live artists, often with showcasing events.
Trans Pride Brighton – Performer Sign-Up
Annual open call for performers, poets, and musicians for the UK’s biggest trans-led pride celebration.
Viva La Vulva – Artist Callouts
Posts open calls and paid performance opportunities via Instagram for queer cabaret, drag and performance artists.
Arts Emergency – Mentoring Programme
Strong LGBTQIA+ representation. Matches young artists with mentors and freelance support.
CRIPtic Arts - Artist Development pathways
Disability arts that's queer-led and usually around half queer/trans artists - all disabled artists supported, whether queer or not, but they're a great place to work if you are.
Queer Arts North – Artist Development Support
curiousarts.org.uk/queer-arts-north
Offers professional development, mentoring and touring opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists in the North of England.
Queer Arts North is a network of arts organisations strategically supporting LGBTQIA+ arts, artists, organisations, venues and festivals across the North of England. Queer Arts North is currently supported by Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Networks Funding.
Managed and coordinated by Curious Arts, Queer Arts North aims to enable its partners to support, collaborate and share with each other methods of best practice through regular networking meetings and sector facing activity hosted across the North.
Queer Art Mentorship (International / UK-accessible)
NYC-based but open to international artists. Matched with established mentors in the arts. Focused on career development.
QUEER|ART|MENTORSHIP supports a year-long exchange between emerging and established artists in four different creative fields: Film, Literature, Performance, and Visual Art.
TransCreative – Artist Labs & Mentorship
Hosts creative labs for trans artists, including writing, performance and production support.