| Please pre-book a slot for your visit. |
E.P.I.C Returns: Open Call
E.P.I.C. is The Artground’s artist development and international artist exchange programme, developed to leverage its international networks of art-makers.
Standing for Exposure, Participate, Innovate, Create, the programme supports Singapore-based artists who are keen to develop their practice in creating work for young audiences.
E.P.I.C. aims to nurture artists who are curious about crafting meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences for children. Through a structured, tiered programme anchored in international festivals and creative hubs, participants are invited to deepen their practice, expand their perspectives, and seed new ways of thinking about and creating Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA).
This year, E.P.I.C. brings up to six participants to Bangkok, Thailand for a week-long immersion in TYA. The programme includes experiencing Thai and international performances, connecting with other artists, visiting a creative literacy centre for children, and taking part in the Asian TYA Meeting. Held in conjunction with the Bangkok International Children’s Theatre Festival (BICT) 2026, the festival serves as the anchor for this year’s EPIC programme.
Here's a peek at our previous E.P.I.C programmes: https://www.theartground.com.sg/artists/epic-artist-capability-development
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
| Date | Time | Activity | Artist | Genre & Age | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 21 Aug 2026 | Arrival & Check-in E.P.I.C @ BKK orientation and Dinner | ibis Bangkok Sathorn | |||
| Sat 22 Aug 2026 | 11:00 - 12:30 | Une Petite Rêverie Performance + Post-show Talk | Compagnie Thomas Guérineau (France) | Contemporary Circus (All ages) | One Bangkok |
| 14:00 - 15:30 | Visit to Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC) | https://www.bacc.or.th/en | BACC - 939 Rama I Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan | ||
| 16:00 - 16:30 | IYKYK (Group 1) | Duck Unit (Thailand) | Interactive Performance (7 yrs+) | One Bangkok | |
| 16:30 - 17:00 | IYKYK (Group 2) | Duck Unit (Thailand) | Interactive Performance (7 yrs+) | One Bangkok | |
| 17:00 - 17:45 | Parade Pajai ~ Beneath the Waters, a Blessing | Ting A Tong (Thailand) | Participatory Sound Performance (All ages) | One Bangkok | |
| 10:00 - 18:00 | (TBC) | Some Club (SG- Taiwan-Thailand) | Interactive Installation (All ages) | One Bangkok | |
| Sun 23 Aug 2026 | 11:00 - 13:00 | Kaow Kome + Post-show Talk | Bambino! (Japan) and Crescent Moon Theatre (Thailand) | Multidisciplinary Performing Arts for Babies (3-24 months) | Goethe Institut |
| 13:30 - 14:30 | Frolic + Post-show Talk | Stopgap Dance Company (UK) with Thai dancers | Dance (5 yrs+) | Sodsai Theatre, Faculty of Arts, Chula Uni. | |
| 16:00 - 19:00 | Puppetry Workshop with Ta | Ta Lent Show Theatre | |||
| Mon 24 Aug 2026 | 10:00 - 13:00 | Visit CREAM Bangkok + Workshop session | CREAM Bangkok https://www.instagram.com/creambangkok/ | CREAM Bangkok, Taling Chan | |
| 14:00 - 15:30 | Talk by Pamela Walker (Imaginate) on Festival Producing | TBC | |||
| 16:00 - 18:00 | Pre-Meeting Networking Session with ATYA participants | TBC | To Be Announced | ||
| Tue 25 Aug 2026 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Roundtable Discussion: Responding to Realities - TYA Practices Across Diverse Contexts | Jim Thompson Art Center | ||
| 13:30 - 15:30 | Workshop: Mapping the Presence and Future of TYA | Jim Thompson Art Center | |||
| 16:00 - 17:30 | BICT Debut: a series of 8-min pitching opportunity for Asian TYA practitioners (8 companies) | Jim Thompson Art Center | |||
| Wed 26 Aug 2026 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Panel Discussion: From Principles to Practice - Children’s Rights in Theatre | Jim Thompson Art Center | ||
| 13:30 - 15:30 | Workshop: Wide Open Window – taking the rights of the child seriously | Jim Thompson Art Center | |||
| 16:00 - 17:30 | BICT Debut: a series of 8-min pitching opportunity for Asian TYA practitioners (8 companies) | Jim Thompson Art Center | |||
| Thurs 27 Aug 2026 | Depart BKK (or opt to stay for the rest of the festival at your own costs) |
Here’s a look at BICT Festival Programme: https://bictfest.com/2026/performances/
TAG will provide (in Bangkok)
- Shared group airport transfer (2-way)
- 6-nights hotel accommodation
- Access to programmes in the first weekend of the festival (including 3 ticketed and 3 non-ticketed), sharings, workshops and networking sessions with Thai and international Festival artists
- Visit to BACC and Cream Bangkok
- Access to Asian TYA Meeting on 25 + 26 Aug
Participant's Own Cost
- Return Flight to Bangkok
- Airport Transfer in Singapore
- Living expenses in Bangkok
Criteria for Applicants
- We encourage emerging practising artists and/or recent graduates in arts practices (less than 3 years) to apply
- Experience in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) preferred
- This Open Call is not for applicants who have participated in previous E.P.I.C. programmes, to allow opportunities for new applicants.
- For artists who have participated in previous EPICs and/or arts managers are keen to attend this programme, please email luanne@theartground.com.sg directly. A full-fee enrolment option is available
Applicants are required to prepare and submit:
- Application form
- CV (Document to be uploaded in application form)
- Artist Statement of why you feel you can benefit from attending E.P.I.C Bangkok 2026 (within 350 words)
Key Dates:
- Applicants must be available for all dates of travel (21 - 27 August 2026)
- All applications close on 24 June 2359hrs
- All shortlisted applicants will be notified by 8 July 2026