Congratulations to Grace Ng on securing Theatre Breakthrough Fund (North) Funding for Horizons Collective!

Photo courtesy of Lowry

We are thrilled to share that Grace Ng, who leads Horizons Collective, has secured funding through Arts Council England’s Theatre Breakthrough Fund (North)! The £2 million fund supports Black, Asian and ethnically diverse theatre makers in the North of England to make ambitious new work and take the next step in their practice.

New Earth Theatre, Grace and Horizons Collective have a longstanding collaborative relationship, working together to support Salford, Greater Manchester and the north west-based BESEA artists and strengthen the opportunities available to them. We’re delighted that this new funding will formalise and extend that collaboration, as Horizons Collective takes its next step.

The funding will enable Horizons Collective to develop its work across the North of England, creating new pathways for British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) artists and building towards stronger, locally rooted BESEA theatre infrastructure in the region.

This collaboration reflects New Earth’s vision for a stronger, more connected BESEA theatre ecology, where artists can create, connect and lead from wherever they are based, without having to move to London to build a career.

Grace Ng, Co-chair of Horizons Collective, said:

“What an honour to be entrusted with this position of steward leadership. Manchester and the North are home to a precious abundance of talent and ambition among British East Asian and South East Asian theatre makers. Together with our longstanding, trusted partners, we can now go and establish producing contexts that deliver transformative artistic experiences.”

Ailin Conant, Artistic Director of New Earth Theatre, said:

“We are so proud to stand alongside Grace and Horizons Collective. Real sector transformation happens when BESEA artists have the backing and freedom to build their own theatre on their own terms. Horizons Collective is leading the way for the North, and we can’t wait to see the incredible work that emerges.”

Huge congratulations to Grace and everyone who have brought Horizons Collective to this point. We are so excited for everything ahead and look forward to continuing our work together as Horizons Collective helps shape the future of BESEA theatre in the area.