Catalyser
Catalyser is a creative learning programme for people aged 18-25 years which takes place at Clod Ensemble Studios in North Greenwich.
The programme allows young artists to work with Suzy Willson & Paul Clark, Clod Ensemble’s associate artists, and guest facilitators. Creative workshops in Catalyser focus on movement, theatre, sound design, visual arts and architecture. Participants gain access to industry networks, peer-to-peer learning and support, Clod Ensemble’s wider programme of professional development and the free use of our studios.
Image credit Vipul Sangoi The first Catalyser course took place over twenty-five days in Autumn 2022 when Clod Ensemble invited twenty young artists to our studios in North Greenwich. Co-designed with local young people, Catalyser 2022 aimed to address identified gaps in available support and barriers being faced by those who wish to enter or progress in creative careers. Free to attend, participants were also given a bursary to participate so that they may have time to develop their creative skills, create new career pathways and be agents of positive social change. Reflections on the first Catalyser programme from a participant can be found here.
April 2024 saw 22 young creative practitioners come together to share, devise and develop their creative practice. The programme began with a series of workshops held at Clod Ensemble Studios. Participants worked with Suzy Willson & Paul Clark as well as a selection of our associate artists and guest facilitators. Further reflections from the 2024 intensive can be found on our blog page here.
Image credit Vipul Sangoi We are delighted to announce the call-out for young artists aged 18-25 for Catalyser 2027.
This year’s Catalyser is for people who want to develop their skills as a teacher and project facilitator in both traditional and non-traditional arts settings.
- Are you interested in developing your skills as a teacher and facilitator?
- Are you interested in exploring how you can use your skills as a performer or creator in different ways and in different contexts?
- Have you been ‘thrown into the deep end’ of leading and facilitating without the time to think about how to approach your work and the skills you need to do it well?
There will be sessions which help you to:
- articulate your unique approach to teaching
- identify contexts that you might want to work in
- develop your verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- develop your skills in leading a group, and making plans for workshops
- safeguard yourself and others
- set yourself up as a freelancer or business
- develop relationships with different partners and employers
The three-week intensive will take place on Monday to Thursday mornings:
- Monday 11 – Thursday 14 January
- Monday 18 – Thursday 21 January
- Monday 25 – Thursday 28 January
Following the initial intensive, participants receive 6 months of continued professional development support, including mentoring and access to our studio space.
The course will be led by Artistic Director Suzy Willson and Carly Annable-Coop, Programme Manager for the company’s acclaimed Performing Medicine initiative, with guests.
If you have any questions, please contact Fraser at fraser@clodensemble.com
Catalyser Cohort Grid 2024. Image credits: Yungbio Photos and Kenny Alabi How to Apply
To submit an expression of interest, applicants will need to complete this form. The deadline to apply is 1 November 2026.
Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to one of our three taster sessions.
Please Note: Applicants must be able to attend one of the three taster workshops to be considered for a place.
When are the taster sessions?
- Tuesday 3 November Online, 14:00 – 15:00
- Thursday 5 November at Clod Ensemble Studios, 9:30 – 11:00
- Monday 16th November at Tramshed Woolwich, 16:00 – 17:30
Who Should Apply
Catalyser welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and all artistic disciplines.
Clod Ensemble is committed to values of inclusion, representation and belonging across all our programmes. We want more people who have been, and continue to be, marginalised in the arts sector to access pathways to opportunities and careers in the arts and these priorities reflect our efforts to reduce these inequities of access to the arts.
We are particularly keen to hear from young people who have faced obstacles to a career in the arts which might be social, financial, structural or a combination of all three.
We encourage applications from women, nonbinary people and LGBTQIA+ people, as well as people who are ethnically diverse, members of the global majority, disabled and/or neurodivergent young people and/or those impacted by long-term health conditions.
We encourage applications from young people who live or grew up in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, our neighbouring boroughs (Newham, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets, Bromley and Bexley).
Jerwood Arts’ ‘Socio-economic Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts A Toolkit for Employers’ has informed the development of our recruitment process as well as taking on board participant feedback from previous cohorts. We regularly review and evaluate our processes and recognise this work is ongoing and can continue to evolve and change.
Catalyser is not for people who are currently in full time or higher education.
Finance
Catalyser is free. At the taster sessions, we will explain more about the financial support we can provide.
If you have any questions, please contact Fraser at fraser@clodensemble.com
Accessibility
For applicants who cannot attend a taster session in person, we have an online taster session.
The intensive three week programme is hosted at Clod Ensemble’s Skylight Studio in North Greenwich. We are a 4 minute walk away from North Greenwich Jubilee Station.
The studio is fully step-free accessible.
For more detailed information about our studio click here. If you have any questions about accessibility, email Fraser on fraser@clodensemble.com
“I got 1-2-1 mentoring when I needed help, and got studio space when struggling to find space for rehearsal.”
“Catalyser was a fantastic opportunity that taught me new skills and motivated me to explore creative industries.”
“I feel way more confident in my abilities as an artist and more equipped to make my own work.”
Catalyser 2022 was supported by D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust; Garrick Trust; Portal Trust; Knight Dragon; L&Q.
Catalyser 2024 was supported by The O2 and the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Catalyser 2026 has been generously supported by the City Bridge Foundation, the D’oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Finzi Trust.
Catalyser 2027 has been generously supported by the City Bridge Foundation.
