Catalyser - Taster Session - Monday 19th January

Professional development for young creatives interested in learning more about socially applied practice.

Catalyser, Clod Ensemble’s flagship artist development programme, is returning for 2026.

Catalyser is a free, three-week intensive skills and professional development programme specifically for young creatives aged 18 to 25. It gives participants the opportunity to work with Clod Ensemble’s Artistic Directors, Suzy Willson & Paul Clark, as well as a range of associate artists and guest facilitators. This year’s Catalyser will focus on socially engaged practice.

The three-week intensive will take place Mondays through Thursdays on the weeks beginning Monday, February 9th, Monday, February 16th, and Monday, February 23rd. Following the initial intensive, participants receive 6 months of continued professional development support, including mentoring and access to our studio space.

This year’s programme will focus on socially applied practice. It is aimed at artists who want to apply their creative practice to settings outside of the arts. We are looking for musicians, dancers, visual artists and performers with an interest in taking their artistic and creative skills to sectors such as healthcare, education or social work.

This will be an introductory course aimed at young creatives who have limited experience in socially applied practice but who want to learn more. The workshops will draw on Clod Ensemble’s 30 years of experience and case studies from their extensive archive. Sessions cover a broad range of areas including: facilitation, workshop planning, producing, international collaboration, working with children and elders, accessibility and creative health.

How to apply?

If you're interested in taking part in Catalyser you must be able to attend one of the three taster workshops. Taster workshops are taking place at the following days and times:

Friday 16th January (ONLINE) from 18:30 to 20:00
Monday 19th January (at Clod Ensemble Studios) from 10:30-12:30
Tuesday 20th January - (location & time to be confirmed)

Please note: Applicants must be able to attend one of the three taster workshops to be considered for a place on the programme.

Catalyser welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and artistic disciplines. We are particularly interested in hearing from those who have faced barriers to a career in the arts. These barriers might be social, financial, structural, or a combination of all of three.Catalyser is free. Applicants can also apply for either a travel bursary or programme bursary to cover the covers of partcipating.

If you have any questions, please contact Fraser at fraser@clodensemble.com

Catalyser 2026 has been generously supported by the City Bridge Foundation, the D’oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Finzi Trust.