Babs, we've got one hell of a birthday this year: Selina Thompson Ltd will turn 10 years old! Having recently revamped our website, we've been busy reminding ourselves of the many projects we've brought to life since we started out in 2016 (you too, can reminisce about them here). We've much to be proud of, and so much more still to come - so to celebrate it all, we've decided to throw a big ole' party!

There will be tickets available to book nearer the time once we've confirmed all the details, but for now, please stick what's set to be the hottest Brummie party of 2026 in your diaries for Friday 11th September 2026.

And if you're an artist - or you know one (or even two, or three, etc etc) - check out the artist commissions opportunities for the party below...

1. Artist Brief: Birthday Party Entertainment

Open to artists nationally in the UK

Context: Selina Thompson Ltd turns 10 this year and we want to celebrate a decade of art making, writing, being at stuff and our obsession with Birmingham. To do this we are hosting a party! Food! Booze! Bouncy Castles! Party Bags! And of course – performance.

The Party: The party will take place on Friday 11th September, at The Edge, Birmingham. There will be a small stage, some basic tech including access to a project, simple lighting and a sound system. There are also smaller spaces and an outdoor courtyard. Pre-visits can be arranged if useful for artists, but they are not expected. The party will take place from early evening, the STL will plan the programme responsively to the commissioned works. Commissioned artists will be expected to stay for the duration of the event. 

Task: To make a ‘party piece’ that responds to one of the following five works from the Selina Thompson archive:

• Chewing the Fat (further materials also here)
• Dark and Lovely (further materials also here)
• Race Cards (further materials also here)
• Salt (further materials also here)
• Pat It and Prick It and Mark It with ‘B’ (further materials also here)

When we say a party piece, we either mean: 

• a short performance piece, no longer than 20 (?) minutes, that can be performed in a cabaret-esque set up. Can have a cabaret vibe, but doesn’t have to.
• an installation that people can leave the main party to ‘do’ or ‘experience’
• a durational performance or experience that lasts the length of the party
• Something else you come up with that impresses us so much that we make an allowance for you.
  

Some parameters: 

• The work must be original
• It’s gotta do more than mimic/perform the piece it is inspired by
• We will cover you travel expenses and accommodation for one night up to £250
• The fee is £1000 with an additional £250 for materials
• We will provide access support as needed for you to make your work 

Some pointers:

• Words we use to describe our work: Political! Participatory! Joyful! Intimate! 
• Words we use to describe work we like: Queer! Radical! Weird! Confronting! Crip!
• Words we are using to describe this party: Fun! Tasty! Loud! Brummie!

To Apply: 

• Tell us you are applying for brief 1: entertainment and which of the 5 strands you are applying to
• 500 words max about your idea – can be written or recorded (4 minutes)
• 250 words about you can be written or recorded (2 minutes)
• A link to your website or linkedin (lol) or somewhere else with information about your work, including confirmation of where in the UK you are based
• A short note outlining access support you might need to make your piece happen

Please send the above to info@selinathompson.co.uk by Monday 1st June, 10am

We’re not mean, so we’re not going to punish people for being a couple of minutes late, but please respect and be fair to other applications by not being hours or even days late. 

The team will be selecting the commissions from these applications, there will not be follow up interviews and will let everyone know whether they are successful by Tuesday 30th June 2026.

If you need this application in an alternative format please contact pippa@selinathompson.co.uk

2. Artist Brief: Birthday Party Hosting

Open to artists in the West Midlands only

Context: Selina Thompson Ltd turns 10 this year and we want to celebrate a decade of art making, writing, being at stuff and our obsession with Birmingham. To do this we are hosting a party! Food! Booze! Bouncy Castles! Party Bags! And for that? We need you.

The Party: The party will take place on Friday 11th September, at The Edge, Birmingham. There are also smaller spaces and an outdoor courtyard. Pre-visits can be arranged if useful for artists, but they are not expected. The party will take place from early evening, the STL will plan the programme responsively to the commissioned works. Commissioned artists will be expected to stay for the duration of the event. 

Task: To design and deliver one element of the birthday party as a bespoke art intervention. The themes are:

• Cake
• Catering
• Decoration
• Drinks
• Party Bags

When we say bespoke art intervention we mean:

• The themes are to be interpreted as live art /performance art / visual art commissions
• They respond to the theme of a 10 year old’s birthday party
• It needs to be functional. So by all means get creative but the drinks can’t be made out of kerosene or something, people still need to have a good time (and stay alive).

Some parameters:

• These commissions are open to artists based in the West Midlands
• The fee is £1000 with an additional £750 for materials and we will cover your travel expenses
• We will provide access support as needed for you to make your work 

Some pointers:

• Words we use to describe our work: Political! Participatory! Joyful! Intimate!
• Words we use to describe work we like: Queer! Radical! Weird! Confronting! Crip!
• Words we are using to describe this party: Fun! Tasty! Loud! Brummie!
  

To Apply: 

• Tell us you are applying for brief 2: hosting and which of the 5 strands you are applying to
• 500 words max about your idea – can be written or recorded (about 4 minutes)
• 250 words about you can be written or recorded (about 2 minutes)
• A link to your website or linkedin (lol) or somewhere else with information about your work, including confirmation of where in the UK you are based
• A short note outlining access support you might need to make your piece happen

Please send the above to info@selinathompson.co.uk by Monday 1st June, 10am

We’re not mean, so we’re not going to punish people for being a couple of minutes late, but please respect and be fair to other applications by not being hours or even days late. 

The team will be selecting the commissions from these applications, there will not be follow up interviews and will let everyone know whether they are successful by Tuesday 30th June 2026.

If you need this application in an alternative format please contact pippa@selinathompson.co.uk