Chisenhale Dance Space is spearheading a ‘Scratch Renaissance’—a year-long initiative designed to revive scratch culture and create vital opportunities for artists to test new work in front of live audiences. In the wake of the pandemic, early-stage creative development has been severely impacted, particularly in London, where rising costs and the loss of key platforms like Vault Festival have further restricted opportunities. As a result, artists face increasing challenges in securing performance slots, while funding remains scarce. For emerging artists who simply need space to experiment—a 15-minute slot to take creative risks—many of these vital stepping stones have disappeared. In direct response to this crisis, CDS has developed a new initiative in collaboration with its 230-strong artist community and the wider sector. By reigniting scratch culture, this program aims to restore much-needed opportunities for experimentation, development, and creative growth.
‘Scratch Renaissance’ is a yearlong adrenaline shot of support for the grassroots dance and performance sector that will see the creation of 6 new scratch night models, each experimenting with what a ‘scratch night’ is whilst supporting marginalised artists to platform their work for the first time. Commencing in May 2025 and running till July 2026, this year-long programme will see Chisenhale Dance Space be home to a series of monthly scratch nights at their venue in East London. In keeping with CDS’s artist-led ethos, they will collaborate with, commission, and support six small artist-led collectives. These groups, whether already running under-resourced and under-recognised scratch events or envisioning new scratch nights without the necessary resources, will come together to form the Scratch Renaissance consortium. This collaborative network will share knowledge and best practices around Scratch culture, using insights from the initiative to help artists and venues refine and develop effective approaches within the sector.
Comprising artists from across the performing arts—including dance, theatre, performance, drag, cabaret, and improvisation—the consortium, with support from CDS, will work to establish and sustain these new nights within the sector:
‘Devil’s Advocate’ developed by Elevate East- A night to rigorously test new ideas where artists present two contrasting short extracts from a work, engaging audiences through structured, constructive conversation to help shape the next steps.
‘Past Works Recycling Plant’ developed by Emergency Chorus – A night for “recycled” performance for reworked and remixed material, whirlwind retrospectives, rehearsal room B-sides, or the very first work an artist ever made.
‘Cross Pollination’ developed by Ensemble Not Found & Halfpace Theatre – A night for artists who have never worked together to collaborate and create interdisciplinary and experimental work.
‘a process’ developed by identity. ideas. industry. (iii) – A scratch of an artist; focusing on giving artists the opportunity to talk about their work, themes, and practice. In addition, they will share a short extract of a work in development.
‘THIS IS A THREAT’ developed by Midgitte Bardot – A night for durational, crip- focussed and led work that interrogates risk and failure (of the state.)
‘Open Night’ developed by Mind the Gap – A part curated / part lottery ‘open mic’ night for improvised and spontaneously created acts, across mediums and styles.
Applications for artists wanting to take part in the first three evenings will open 20th March 2025, with further guidance to follow.
Further contributing to the initiative, CDS will launch “On a Shoestring,” a paid workshop series helping artists navigate the challenges of creating work with limited resources.
Proposals are now open for artists across the UK to share their strategies. Additionally, “DIY Nights” will offer a low-cost, low-stakes platform for artists to showcase work with minimal gatekeeping, fostering experimentation and creative risk-taking.
CDS Director, Reece McMahon says: “Scratch nights have long been essential spaces for artists to take risks, test ideas, and push boundaries—but they are rapidly disappearing, especially in London. Opportunities for emerging artists have dwindled, with fewer being programmed as venues become more risk-averse and are sidelining artist development. The Scratch Renaissance is a call to action, led by artists, to rebuild the grassroots platforms that enable bold and necessary work. We urge artists and venues to support this movement and help sustain the next generation of scratch nights—and the vital work they foster. The sector needs this now more than ever.”
Ben Kulvichit & Clara Potter-Sweet, Emergency Chorus say: “We started hosting Past Works Recycling Plant nights because we were weary of waiting for resources in a sector of scarcity, and wanted to make space for ourselves and other artists to just try some things — better imperfectly than not at all. So it’s very heartening that CDS is investing in artist-led initiatives, because grassroots, DIY culture is all-important. It’s where risks are taken, new ground is broken and communities are built. This Scratch Renaissance is an opportunity for a burst of invigorating DIY (or DIT — do it together!) energy on the London performance scene, and we can’t wait to see what comes of it.”
Visit https://www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk/ to learn more.
