Ignite Dundee, the city wide cultural festival, has announced a brand new programme for the 2016 festival – Ignite Sparks. Organisers are now inviting applications from artists, organisations and community groups who would like to stage an event as part of the festival and there is £1000 for each event up for grabs.

Events for the Ignite Sparks programme must have a focus on promoting and celebrating the use of innovative techniques or technologies. Applications are encouraged from people collaborating and highlighting innovative practices across art forms, genres and sectors. The Ignite Sparks programme has been made possible thanks to funding from EventScotland, as part of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.

Successful applicants will also be given support from both Ignite Dundee and Creative Dundee to realise their event as part of the festival. This includes the element of funding up to £1000.

Organisations or individuals with existing events can also apply to be part of the overall Ignite programme, by completing the same form.

Annie Marrs, Project Coordinator said “The Ignite Sparks opportunity is so exciting because we really have no idea what we are going to get! We might see applications for exhibitions, performances, gigs, film showings, public art or even workshops. The application process is open to anyone with an idea of how to promote and celebrate the use of innovative techniques or technologies. The bolder the idea the better!”

Ignite Dundee celebrates the outstanding range of culture and creativity our city has to offer during the month of May. It includes the degree shows, exhibitions, talks, theatre, workshops and film showings that take place annually plus a programme of activity specially curated for Ignite Dundee. It highlights the depth and variety of the creativity of our city to those visiting Dundee and look to fire the imagination of our visitors while sparking the creativity of local people.

The application deadline for Ignite Sparks and to be part of the Ignite programme is 9am Monday 18th January.

The festival started back in 2011 and each year has seen a full programme of events across the city. Read about last year’s Ignite Dundee here.

You can download the application at www.ignitednd.co.uk