Create meaningful, joyful experiences for people living with dementia through the arts.

Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) is one of the UK’s leading theatres, known for outstanding productions and transformative work with communities and young people.

Our Learning, Education and Participation (LEAP) programme brings creativity to life across West Sussex, offering inclusive, accessible opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

About BOLD

BOLD is an innovative arts engagement project supporting people living with dementia to:

• Build meaningful connections
• Experience joy
• Express identity through creative activity

The project primarily focuses on reaching older men and people from the Global Majority, groups historically underrepresented in arts engagement.

This is achieved by training artists to deliver high-quality arts workshops with people living with dementia.

The impact so far has been powerful:

• 100% of participants reported improved mood, connection and self-expression
• 86% reported increased confidence
• Artists rated the training 9.83/10 for skills gained

BOLD is co-created with Arti Prashar OBE, a leader in participatory arts for dementia, and Louise Rigglesford, CFT's Head of Community Outreach.

The Training

CFT are offering a 3 day intensive training course to help equip artists to deliver high-quality, person-centred arts sessions for people living with dementia.

During the course, participants will:

• Learn how to adapt creative practice for dementia engagement
• Explore sensory, participatory and responsive approaches
• Develop confidence in inclusive facilitation
• Deliver a live workshop with participants
• Receive expert feedback and mentoring from Arti and Louise
• Connect with other likeminded artists working in the field

Dates: 20 - 22 October

Location: Chichester Festival Theatre

Cost: £200 per person

Who It's For

The training would be most beneficial for artists across performing, visual and digital disciplines who:

• Have experience leading workshops or participatory projects
• Understand creative engagement practices
• Are passionate about working with people living with dementia
• Can adapt flexibly to individual needs

We particularly encourage applications from artists who identify as male and/or artists from the Global Majority in reflection of the communities we are working with.

How To Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please provide a current CV and a digital portfolio of recent work you are proud of. This could include things such as images, sound recordings, videos, workshop plans, script extracts, or anything that showcases your best work. If sending large files, please use WeTransfer or a similar service. Please ensure this is sent to leap@cft.org.uk by 5pm on Friday 25 September.

After the closing date, we will email all candidates to invite you to attend an informal meeting with Arti and Louise at CFT on Tuesday 6 or Wednesday 7 October.

Following these informal meetings, successful candidates will be contacted and invited to attend the training dates on 20, 21 & 22 October. 

If you have any questions about the project or the training, please contact leap@cft.org.uk 

Please note: by submitting an application, you confirm that you are available on these dates.