We’re seeking London-based writers, poets, artists, arts and community organisations to apply to be part of the 2026 Deptford Literature Festival programme.
Deptford Literature Festival celebrates the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance. Taking place on Saturday 28 March 2026 at various locations around Deptford, the festival will feature performances, readings, workshops and more, with activities led by local writers and creatives.
We have 3 open commissions of up to £750 available to writers, artists, arts and community organisations based in London to deliver activity as part of the festival; with a preference for people and organisations based in Deptford and the borough of Lewisham, or delivering activity with strong connections to Deptford or Lewisham.
Commissions could include: writing workshops, readings, community engagement, performances, talks, walks, participatory sessions, cross-arts activity, local heritage activity, or whatever literature activity you think will connect with our audiences.
The only stipulations are that activity takes place on Saturday 28 March at the festival and is literature-related. We also have a preference toward artists and organisations based in Deptford and Lewisham, and/or for activity with a clear connection to the area.
How to apply
Please send a proposal of no more than 2 sides of A4 OR an audio or video file of no longer than 8 minutes.
The proposal should include:
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Brief information about you/your organisation
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Links to examples of your previous work
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An outline of your idea and how you plan to deliver it
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A brief budget outlining your costs/fees
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Planned location / venue for your activity and whether this is confirmed
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Any technical considerations
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Description of how your activity meets the remit of the festival
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Audience(s) you think will engage with your activity
The Festival will be able to offer:
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Commission fee of up to £750.
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Space at Deptford Lounge to host commissioned activity. This would be free of charge, and not need to be included in your budget. Alternatively, your activity can take place in another location/s in Deptford. If this is the case, please let us know whether you have approached the venue/s to confirm if they’d be willing to participate, and ensure you factor any venue hire costs into your £750 budget.
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Marketing and communications support through the festival’s marketing channels, mailing list and a festival programme.
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Ticketing and booking management.
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Staff/volunteers to support audience management during the event itself.
To submit your proposal, visit spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit/152095/deptford-literature-festival-open-call
You need to create an account on Submittable in order to submit your application. This is free to do.
Deadline: 10am, Monday 1 December
Commissions will be decided by a panel of the festival producers and applicants will hear back by Friday 12 December. The festival producers reserve the right to amend the terms of the open call depending on funds available and other operational considerations.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact [email protected]
Previous Festival programmes
If you haven’t attended Deptford Literature Festival before, you might like to take a look at programmes from previous festivals to give you a flavour of what the festival is all about.