In a new partnership announced on 13th May 2025, Jerwood Foundation has awarded ThickSkin theatre a total grant of £40,000 over two years to support their Jerwood Associate Artist Placement programme.
ThickSkin is Wigan’s very own award-winning theatre company. Established in 2010 and making a home in Wigan since 2023, ThickSkin is one of the only mid-scale producing companies in the North West. The company premieres world-class, pioneering, new theatre in their hometown, supporting the community to engage with the arts. Through extensive UK and International touring and a broad digital offer, ThickSkin also entertains audiences across the world.
Jerwood Foundation funding will enable ThickSkin to extend their Associate Artist Placement programme and support an Associate Artist to join the organisation over a six-month period. The Jerwood Associate Artist will work closely with ThickSkin’s Artistic Director to support planning, rehearsals, and performances for a range of projects in their summer and autumn seasons.
Neil Bettles ThickSkin’s Artistic Director said:
“We are thrilled to be able to offer the Jerwood Associate Artist role at ThickSkin. It will provide space for an early career artist to be fully immersed in the work that we do. They will be joining us at a time of growth, having recently launched our own space in Wigan and with a range of exciting projects coming up.
The Associate Artist will be at the heart of everything we do from our main touring work, our work in communities and our Generator company. The support from Jerwood Foundation to make this possible is a game changer for us in terms of how we truly nurture the next generation of theatre makers and creatives. It will not only have an impact on us and our community, but it will also benefit the wider theatre ecology.”
Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee Jerwood Foundation said:
“I am delighted that Jerwood Foundation will be funding this talent development initiative, and enabling ThickSkin to offer a longer placement for Associate Artists. This two-year support for emerging and mid-career artists underlines Jerwood’s commitment to emerging talent in the UK.”
For more information please visit ThickSkin
