Hay Festival: The Platform open call

About the Open Call

Hay Festival is inviting submissions for the third edition of The Platform, an exciting opportunity for young creatives to showcase and share their work at Hay Festival 2026. Supported by D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Garrick Charitable Trust, the program seeks to support five artists aged 21-28 in launching their careers. The selected works will be presented at the festival on May 29, 2026, across the site or within the Creative Hub. The opportunity includes travel reimbursement, glamping accommodation, and a £350 event fee.

What is Offered

Selected artists receive a £350 event fee, standard return travel reimbursement (up to 3 people), and up to 2 nights of glamping accommodation (up to 3 people), along with technical and production support.

Requirements

Applicants must be aged 21-28 on the date of submission and must be resident in the UK. Work must be an original creation and suitable for a festival environment with limited technical capabilities.

How to Apply

Submit via the online application form, a Word document, or a video/audio application. Applications must include a project outline (max 500 words), CV/biography (max one side of A4), creative ambition statement (max 150 words), and links to supporting media. Full details available at https://www.hayfestival.com/the-platform.