Artist Callout: E2M Cabaret

Call for Artists!

We are planning for our February 2026 Event… THE E2M CABARET!

The E2M Cabaret will take place on Sunday, 22nd February 2026 and will be preceded by a week of creative workshops during February half-term (Saturday, 13th February – Saturday, 21st February).

Facilitators must be free on the event day and have availability to run workshops throughout the week.

The E2M Cabaret is a stage event, held at the historic Platform in Morecambe. Guests will be invited including parents, funders, and E2M supporters to watch a show put on by 11-18 year olds! Each workshop will have an outcome at the Cabaret, whether that is a performance, a screening, an exhibition or an interactive experience.

The workshops are free for all 11-18s to attend, with a view to improve their wellbeing, build their skills, introduce them to new experiences, art methods and friends – and most importantly, to have fun!

How Can You Be Involved?

We need artists to run creative workshops for 11–18-year-olds, fitting the following brief:

• Fun & Creative: Workshops should focus on creative activities that young people wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance to learn at school. We encourage out-of-the-box thinking!
• Clear Outcome: The outcome should be something that can be showcased on-stage at the Cabaret. This can be some form of performance – but can also take other forms too. A video that can be screened? A mingling with the audience? An art piece to decorate the stage? We encourage creativity!

What We Need from You

• Workshop Description: A brief explanation of the workshop(s) you would like to run (no more than 250 words). Include pictures/videos if available.
• Introduction: A 100-word introduction about yourself and your experience. Please include where you are based. You may include a photo.

You can propose a 5-session program where the same group develops skills over 5 half-day sessions, OR a one-off workshop to take place once during the workshop period. Please specify which format you prefer.

Most sessions will take place at the E2M Centre in Lancaster, however, we are dedicated to holding sessions across the Lancaster District – so may hold some workshops off-site. If a workshop requires a specific location outside of the Centre – this can be discussed.

Submit as many ideas as you like, provided you can deliver them.

We are passionate about creating a diverse community of artists at Escape2Make and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities

We will only consider application from artists based in the North West of England and we encourage artists based in the Lancaster District to apply. No prior experience necessary if your idea is strong enough and you show a dedication to providing successful workshops.

Submission Process

• All ideas meeting the brief will be presented to our Youth Board, who will decide which to proceed with.
• If selected, you will be paid a day rate of £300 per day (£150 per half-day) for planning and delivering the project, provided with support from assistants/volunteers, and given a materials budget (up to £100 for one-off workshops, up to £300 for 5-session programs).

Note

If your idea is not selected, it may be due to various reasons (e.g., programming limits, similarity to another idea, fit for a different project). Please don’t be disheartened, and we encourage you to resubmit for future callouts!

Submission Deadline

Sunday, 31st August, Midnight

Please submit your ideas to info@escape2make.org  If you have any questions or wish to discuss your submission, feel free to reach out!

Once submitted, please bear with us. Our selection process involves discussing with our team and our Youth Board, so you may not hear from us for a few weeks after the deadline. We will always acknowledge your application once it is received.