Supporting up-and-coming creatives

NOW in its third year, RISE aims to support talented performers, artists and creative professionals who want to work in the arts industries, both on stage and behind the scenes.

The programme offers opportunities to up-and-coming musicians and visual artists and gives paid work experience to backstage staff, who get to work with lighting and sound companies, as well as in marketing and PR.

Bristol band Horses on the Beach were among nine musical acts who appeared on the dedicated RISE stage last year and will be back to perform this summer. A band member said the experience was “brilliant”, adding: “The on-site team, sound technicians and artist liaison in the lead-up to the event were all supportive and made the whole process as easy as possible for us.”

The work of four visual artists was on display and four backstage crew students came onboard. RISE actively works with colleges, universities and performing arts academies to find talented individuals and groups to benefit from the support it provides. This year’s line-up includes London singer-songwriter Alex Francis and Chelmsford modern country pop singer Louise Parker on July 10, Ukrainian multi-instrumentalist Oleksandr Balabanov, alias the Multiverse, and Horses on the Beach on July 11, the Datura Roots Collective, from Devon, on July 12, and songwriter Eden Hunter and a band called the Great Leslie on July 13.

The Audi High RISE Gallery for visual arts will showcase the works of London contemporary abstract artist Amie Elizabeth Wolo and Cheltenham painter Conrad Clarke.