The Platform
“I have never felt so encouraged and welcome as an artist’ – Bradley Taylor 2024 - Platform Artist
Hay Festival is inviting submissions for the third edition of The Platform, an exciting opportunity for young creatives to showcase and share their work at Hay Festival 2026. Supported by D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Garrick Charitable Trust, The Platform aims to help promote, support and develop outstanding young creative artists who are at the start of their careers, giving them the opportunity to share their work at Hay Festival.
We are inviting submissions from creatives between the ages of 21-28 who are establishing their practice across a diverse number of art forms including, performance (theatre, dance, street), poetry, digital art, film, audio, music, visual art and literature.
Established in 2024 The Platform has featured 15 new artists from across the UK, including Bradley Taylor, Sabine Wilson-Patrick, Paul Koloman Kaiba, Grace O'Brien, Samuel Mansell, Grace Waga Glevey, Eden Peppercorn and Elliot Waloschek who shared poetry, theatre, live art and spoken word art forms with Hay Festival audiences.
“The Platform has been a truly singular opportunity to showcase my work on a world-class stage. It has empowered me in my own creative practice…. it’s a very rare opportunity in an increasingly expensive artistic landscape that has been eminently valuable to me developing my artistic career” – Eden Peppercorn - 2025 Platform Artist
“The Platform has probably been the highlight of my career so far. It gave me confidence in my art…it has been career-changing for me. I would absolutely recommend people to apply!” – Grace O’Brien - 2025 Platform Artist
The Platform will take place at Hay Festival on Friday 29 May (the Festival dates are 21 May – 31 May) and operate across the Festival site both indoors and outdoors. Deadline for submissions is 12.00pm Friday 10 April 2026
What are you looking for?
We are looking to select five artists for this year’s programme. While the final shape of The Platform will be guided by the submissions we receive, we are particularly seeking:
- Three pieces suitable for sharing or performing across the wider festival site
- Two pieces that can be presented within the Creative Hub
Wider Festival Site
The festival site offers a range of potential locations, including gardens, informal meeting places, walkways, The Canteen, a large marquee housing street food traders, and even the box office where some works may be displayed or performed over an extended period, where practical.
Creative Hub
The Creative Hub will host indoor events where artists will have a 20/30 minute space to share their work with audiences.
We are passionate about bold, original ideas and want to hear yours. Our hope is that The Platform will offer an exciting creative development opportunity for all participants, supporting their individual artistic ambitions. The Festival’s unique gathering of cultural industries provides selected artists with the chance not only to share their work, but also to connect with both emerging and established creatives and further develop their careers.
Your proposal might be poetry or spoken word, live art or visual art, dance, street theatre, or performance. It could be an existing piece you have previously presented, an extract from a larger work, or something entirely new that you would like to debut.
Practical Considerations
Context is key. The festival takes place in a green field environment, and there are certain practical limitations. Space and time are restricted, and we cannot accommodate large casts, complex lighting setups, or substantial sets. As all pieces will sit within a much wider festival programme, excessive noise or disruption must be carefully considered.
For indoor performances, the number of performers should not exceed three per event, unless all participants are within daily travelling distance of Hay, as budgets for travel and accommodation are limited. Please note that digital projection can be challenging to facilitate on site , but if you have ideas for projection please do still apply – we have screens across the site which we may be able to utilise
Abiding by all Hay Festival policies, particularly health and safety, will be mandatory as will an understanding of any age restrictive content. If you want to show something in the Creative Hub then please note the technical specifications below.
Events across the festival site
Work for spaces on the Festival site will have to take into account audiences, health and safety regulations, timing of other events, location and weather conditions! If your piece is an artwork you/we will have to consider how and where it will be displayed and kept safe from the public (if that is necessary). Power is available in some parts of the festival site but access is limited.
Creative Hub specifications
- Approx 20 mins per event - depending on the proposals we receive the time allocation may be able to be extended – but please think in 20 minutes/30 minute
- Size of venue - 10 x 15m
- Performance size available – the space is flat and can be used flexibly, with audiences in rows, in the round or standing
- Power and PA are available
- The space doesn't offer blackout unfortunately
The Platform events in the Creative Hub will be free but ticketed.
What support will I get?
The aim of The Platform is to help elevate and develop outstanding creative artists at the start of their careers. We will provide a space and technical support for your work. We are able to pay standard return travel to Hay on Wye for up to 3 people per application, 2 nights Glamping accommodation for up to 3 people (if required), meals whilst at the festival for up to 3 people for 1 evening and 1 day and a single event fee of £350.00 per event. Participants must make their own travel arrangements, but costs for travel will be reimbursed as set out in the FAQ’s below. The Festival site is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Guide dogs are permitted. All artists will be supported by the Hay Festival’s admin, production and technical teams.
How to Apply
We invite submissions from all creatives between the ages of 21-28 working across diverse art forms, including performance (theatre, dance, outdoor), poetry, digital art, audio, spoken word, sculpture and literature.
The application form asks for the following:
- A short outline of your proposed project (no more than 500 words).
- A CV/biography - including any professional experience (no more than one side of A4) – please attach to the online application or send with the large print form if applying that way.
- Please write a statement outlining your creative ambitions and goals as an artist. (no more than 150 words).
- Please supply links to a website, YouTube, social media, publications, Soundcloud or photographs related to your work.
Only digital applications are accepted either via the digital application form, the Word doc version or by a video/audio application that addresses the same questions (if you wish to apply via this method this guide has some good practical advice). Word doc applications and video/audio links should be sent to platform@hayfestival.org - if sending a video/audio link please ensure the media is easily accessible.
Applications delivered by post and late applications will not be considered. Deadline for submissions is 12.00pm Friday 10 April 2026
FAQs
After reading the FAQs, if you have any questions or require additional information, please contact: platform@hayfestival.org
A PDF of the application form can be found here
How will my application be assessed?
The assessment panel will include members of the Hay Festival Wales content and production team who have many years experience in producing and creating performances (studio, main house, outdoor and site specific), film, audio, visual and installation art and festival events. We will also invite other artists to comment on specific artform applications.
We will be looking for innovation, passion, and a clear focus in terms of your ambitions and aspiration as an artist – but this isn’t an essay, it's just about telling us what excites you!
The assessment will focus on bringing together a diverse and representative group of artists in terms of artforms, location and languages, and any lived experience noted in the application.
We may ask applicants to attend a video call with members of the selection panel, which will give you an opportunity to further explain your proposal. We will give applicants good notice if invited for a follow-up conversation.
How many pieces of work are you looking for?
We are looking for 5 pieces of work. If you’re performing text our preference is for work that is ready to be shared with an audience rather than a rehearsed reading (unless specifically part of the performance style)
Can I submit more than one idea?
Yes, but each proposal will require a separate application form. We will only select one idea per applicant.
Is there a production budget?
No. Unfortunately we don’t have the funds to support with personal production costs. We will provide production and technical support at the festival and can provide power, PA. You will be responsible for bringing any other materials you require with you. Vehicles won’t be able to drive to the venue, so any materials will have to be carried or via a trolley on site. If your event is complex we may have to undertake a risk assessment. Anything that is venue based will require a detailed running order with technical cues if required.
If your submission is successful we will talk to you in more detail about your production/technical requirements.
How will my travel be reimbursed?
We will reimburse out of pocket expenses standard class, return journey to the Festival from within the UK.
This includes:
- Standard Return Rail Fare
- Coach or Bus Return Fares
- Car/Van Mileage @ 45p per mile
Expenses could be a combination of the above i.e. a train and bus ticket. We can purchase tickets in advance for you, otherwise please retain a receipt, or complete a form for mileage and your travel costs will be reimbursed when you arrive at the Festival.
Where will I be staying?
Participants will be allocated Glamping accommodation in Hay-on-Wye. We will pay for 3 people involved in the event to stay for up to two nights.
How does the catering arrangements work? I have food allergies and/or dietary requirements, can you cater for me?
You will receive your meals on the Festival site – these will be on the evening of 28 May and breakfast, lunch and dinner on 29 May. There will be provision for those with food allergies and/or dietary requirements. Coffee, tea and other drinks will be available throughout the day. Please note you will have to pay for any other food or drink purchased outside of our catering or Green Room facilities.
When will I know if my application has been successful?
We will contact all applicants by 22 April 2026.
If I am unsuccessful, will I receive feedback?
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. However, with your permission as outlined in the application form GDPR Consent section, we may contact you again to mention further opportunities.
I have a disability or an illness that might make it difficult to take part, can you help?
We are available to discuss any concerns and requirements you may have. The Festival site is fully accessible for wheelchair users, we have a designated Quiet Space and Guide Dogs are permitted. Please contact us to discuss accessibility. We will invite all successful artists to complete an Access form in advance.
And lastly …..this initiative is about supporting young emerging artists. We love ideas at Hay Festival and we want to hear yours. Unfortunately we are limited in the amount of events we can take, so if you aren’t successful this time
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. You must be resident, but don’t have to have be born in, the UK.
2. You must be aged between 21-28 on the date of your submission.
3. You must submit your proposal no later than 12.00pm (GMT) 10 April 2026 via the methods prescribed.
4. All proposals must be an original work of the applicant and must not infringe the rights of any other party. Hay Festival accepts no liability if applicants ignore these rules and applicants agree to fully indemnify Hay Festival against any claims by any third party arising from a breach of these rules.
5. All applicants agree to take part in project publicity and evaluation
6. All applicants must either supply a receipt(s) for their travel or complete an expenses claim form for petrol costs
7. Hay Festival reserves the right to cancel or alter the scheme at any stage if deemed necessary, and if circumstances arise outside its control. In this event, a notice will be posted on www.hayfestival.org/theplatform
8. Hay Festival, as data controller, is responsible for handling personal data provided to Hay Festival, in accordance with data protection law. Hay Festival has a legitimate interest in using the personal data for journalistic, artistic and literary purposes and in the public interest and in using the personal data for the performance of the contract with Hay Festival. For more information visit:
https://www.hayfestival.org/legal
9. By applying for the scheme, entrants warrant that they have legal capacity to enter the scheme and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
10. Hay Festival reserves the right to disqualify any proposal which breaches any of these terms and conditions or which may bring Hay Festival into disrepute,
11. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
