ORIGIN8
With support from the Amazon Regional Creatives Fund, ORIGIN8 strengthens our commitment to nurturing bold new creative work and supporting underrepresented artists across Knowsley, the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West.
ORIGIN8 builds on our existing programme, which was created to support artists at multiple stages of their careers by offering time, space and professional guidance in a nurturing and supportive environment. With this new investment, we’re able to deepen and expand that offer, ensuring more artists can access the resources, networks and opportunities they need to develop ambitious new work.
“Supporting local artists is vital to the creative life of our region. Artist development programmes nurture talent, build confidence and ensure that diverse voices are shaping the cultural stories we share. ORIGIN8 is about offering artists real time and space to grow, connecting them with resources and networks that can transform ideas into impactful work.” Lisa Allen, CEO and Creative Director
Rooted in Our Community
ORIGIN8 is embedded within Knowsley’s cultural strategy, prioritising the development of local creative talent, strengthening community-led cultural activity and widening access to creative opportunities across the borough. The programme responds directly to Arts Council England’s Priority Places agenda by removing barriers for underrepresented artists in Knowsley, while also contributing to Liverpool City Region’s cultural strategy by growing creative skills, celebrating local identity and supporting a resilient regional creative economy.
By embedding artist development within our community, we’re ensuring culture remains a driving force for community resilience, creative innovation and regional pride.
Supporting Artists and Strengthening the Creative Ecology
Alongside direct support for artists, the programme aims to build a reciprocal, long-term network of creatives who continue to share skills, knowledge and collaboration opportunities, strengthening the regional creative ecology.
Since 2022, we’ve supported over 1,000 creatives through free Research & Development space, workshops, networking events, panel discussions and funding surgeries. We’ve worked in partnership with organisations including Graeae, Shakespeare’s Globe and Not Too Tame, and ORIGIN8 builds on this track record by offering a clearer, more structured pathway for artistic development and progression.
The ORIGIN8 Artist Journey
ORIGIN8 supports artists through a structured yet flexible journey, offering tailored guidance, practical support and opportunities to share work at key stages of development.
GENER8 (Idea Generation)Artists begin with mentoring meetings alongside our producing team, exploring early creative ideas while receiving guidance on production practicalities, relationship-building and future ambitions. These conversations help artists refine their concepts, consider audience and timelines, and shape the foundations of their projects.
INCUB8 (Space to Create)Artists are offered in-kind Research & Development space Shakespeare North Playhouse. The programme offers flexible scheduling, allowing artists to work around existing commitments, including caring responsibilities.
CELEBR8 (Share Your Work)Each artist is supported to share their R&D work with an invited audience. Feedback and audience responses are captured and shared, supporting reflection, evaluation and next-stage development.
A final meeting focuses on next steps, legacy building and celebrating achievements. Artists and companies formally become ORIGIN8 alumni, with opportunities to continue contributing to our creative community.
Have an exciting idea, a new project, or a show you’d love to develop? Looking for time, space, and support to help bring your work to life? Applications Open for Shakespeare North Playhouse’s ORIGIN8 Artist Development Programme on the 30th September.
ORIGIN8 supports artists and companies at different stages of their creative journey, providing tailored guidance, development opportunities and practical support to help transform ideas into the next stage of their life. Whether you’re nurturing the seed of a new idea, developing an existing project, preparing for funding applications, or looking for support to take your work further with Research and Development, we’d love to hear from you!
Throughout the ORIGIN8 journey, artists will also benefit from masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, funding application surgeries, Q&As and networking events; strengthening skills, confidence and creative networks across the region.
Please see our intro pack (pdf) & application pack (pdf) listed below for further information on how to apply.
(Applications close the 31st October)
“Shakespeare North Playhouse does incredible work in the community, and we were blown away by its commitment to upskilling people in underserved communities for careers in creative industries. Amazon is passionate about creating opportunities for people in the North West and across the UK to have access to creative industry careers and we’re excited to support Shakespeare North Playhouse as it expands its programmes to have an even greater impact on the local community.” Paul Firth, Director, Global Music Industry, Amazon Music and Regional Creatives Fund Judge
ORIGIN8 is designed to support artists and companies based in Liverpool, Prescot, Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region. We particularly welcome applications from artists who are underrepresented within the theatre and wider cultural sector, including Global Majority artists, disabled and neurodivergent artists, working-class artists, and artists from the local area. These perspectives are an important part of our ambition for ORIGIN8 and will be considered as part of the selection process.
Applications open up on the 30th September 2026 and will close on the 31st October 2026.
