TDLP is looking for artists from all art forms with an interest in working with families and young children.  We are looking for dancers, musicians, actors, designers, graphic artists, lighting designers, sound engineers, furniture makers. This includes any creative individuals who may have an exciting, wacky idea to work with children. 

TDLP needs freelance artists to work in the space on a daily basis. The day will run from 9am-6pm and will be open to the public from 10am-6pm.  There are two artists per day working in the space – the TeArtist and the Host. The fee is £100.00 per day and you will be responsible for your own Tax and NI.  We aim to be flexible around childcare and as supportive as we can to encourage parents of young children to apply.

The TeArtist

As TeArtist you are creatively responsible to the children ( parents and carers will always be present and responsible for the health and safety of their own child and others around them).  You will be trained in a specific methodology (that you will be actively involved in developing), and will support children to explore the space and it’s media through play encouraging maximum creative and physical involvement.  You will work through improvisation, drawing ideas from the children themselves encouraging interaction with the media and other children.  

The Host

As Host you are responsible for the space.  You will introduce families into the space, register them and explain how TDLP operates.  There is likely to be an activity specially designed to encourage adult involvement in the space and interaction with what their children are doing.  You will introduce this activity.

Tea Dance Partnerships (Commission Basis)

As a social enterprise we are experimenting with new ways to generating sustainable income for everyone working with the business.  We aim to resource our space with exciting new equipment and media that blow children’s imagination through the roof.  There are many ways these partnerships can work.  Here are some:

Music

We are looking for recorded and live musicians for our space that challenge the ears, rhythms and responses of young children and their families.  Nursery rhymes are out, sounds of the real world are in.  You may already have an album that you think is suitable for children, you may want to write one.  We will promote your album for sale on a commission basis in your favour and we may even employ you as a TeArtist.

Designer

We are looking for designers and makers to generate ideas for the space.  We have one idea to fill the space with cushions – small ones, giant ones, nice smelly ones, ones with zips full of other ones, ones to sit on, ones to slide on, ones to jump on and ones to hide in. With all our ideas, we aim to have merchandise to sell.  We are looking for a designer/maker to create the resource in return for promotion and sale of merchandise on a commission basis in your favour.  Cost of materials would be covered.

Production & Theatre Companies

Come use our space to trial your idea.  Work alongside our TeArtists and families to see if your idea for a new production connects to your audience.  Material needs to be appropriate to families with young children aged 0-5 and your artists will need to be fully CRB checked and insured for public liability.  Number of days is negotiable.  Artists will be asked to take part in a training day.