Chichester Fringe 2026 Commissioning Grant
- chichesterfringe
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Your opportunity to receive funding toward your performance.
IMAGE: Some of the Chichester Fringe Team 2025 - David Richardson Photography
Today, Chichester Fringe is relaunching its commissioning grant scheme in partnership with Chichester City Council. £250 will be offered to 2 successful artists or companies to help bring their work to life. As well as financial help, applicants will get a place in the Chichester Fringe 2026 programme.
Director of Chichester Fringe Carol Webb said: “At Chichester Fringe we are committed to championing new talent. We are delighted that in 2026 we are able to offer a grant of £250 to two applicants seeking to develop their productions!"
The grant is for those who need additional financial support in order to develop your performance, this could be finance to help secure rehearsal space, props or costume. Successful artists will also be given a slot to perform at Chichester Fringe.
Director of Chichester Fringe Josh Bowness said: "It's a real privilege for us to, once again, be supported by Chichester City Council and their Arts Forum, providing grants for artists to perform with us. To continue building on our city's vibrant cultural scene, these grants allow us to financially support up-and-coming artists with a chance to showcase their work in a safe space and engage with their local community. We can't wait to hear from our 2026 applicants."
How do I apply?
To apply, you'll need to fill out an online form with some information on your show or act.
When is Chichester Fringe 2026?
30 May - 14 June 2026 - hosted at venues in the heart of Chichester.
Who can apply?
Anyone! Last year we welcomed performers from all backgrounds: theatre companies, poets, comedians, singer-songwriters, musicians and many more.
If you're local to Chichester (or not), head to our Take Part page to learn more.
What's new?
Next year’s venues have expanded to include The Nest at Chichester Festival Theatre, Fernleigh in North Street Chichester, as well as returning to our creative partnerships with Chichester Canal Cafe, One-O-Four the Hornet, The New Park Centre, Havana, the Jam Café, The Old Court Room and the Chichester City Arts Centre.
Our last year’s fringe was our biggest yet, selling over 1,100 tickets across 11 venues. We are determined to make Chichester Fringe 2026 our most exciting yet. Our mission is to break down barriers for up-and-coming performers, so our brand new collaboration with Chichester Festival Theatre’s performance space The Nest will provide a fantastic opportunity for the local community. We can’t wait to welcome the applicants for this coming year’s fringe.
Shalaka Kurup. Photographer, Jan Davis | Phil Green. Photographers, Ian & Julia Roberts |
Carly O'Connor (Epic Comedy final) & Baron Fortitude. Photographer: David Richardson
When do applications close?
We run our applications in a two wave process (first wave applications closed in November). Here's how it works:
Commissioning Grant applications open Mon 01 December at 09:00 and close Wednesday 01st January 2026.
Second wave applications open Mon 05 January 09:00am and close Fri 23 January 22:00.
The second wave is for people who don't discover us first time around; if you've already got an idea on what you could bring to Chichester Fringe 2026, save the date!
Got questions?
For general enquiries and press (not related to performing at Fringe), email:
For performers or production support or queries, email:
