LIVE EDITIONS is a new programme of movement, sound and performance in Eastbourne & the South Downs. It launches summer 2026, with 25+ artists from Sussex and further afield leading residencies, workshops, gatherings and performances.
LIVE EDITIONS has evolved from research (2024-6) exploring how to create a place-based initiative here through conversations with artists, activists, ecologists, rangers and farmers, councillors, community stakeholders and arts organisations.
This first year of programming will take place across community and cultural spaces in Eastbourne and the South Downs National Park. It is funded by Arts Council England and supported in-kind by Towner Eastbourne, Devonshire Collective, Leaf Hall, Home Live Art, and Bread & Butter PR.
Activities have been co-designed with artists and partner organisations with an intention to offer spaces to meet, exchange, and collaborate, and with a long-term commitment to supporting the conditions for bold live work to thrive in unfettered and imaginative ways. The idea is to test a range of approaches to place-based working, with artists leading residencies, workshops, gatherings and performances which offer spaces for research, participation, and convivial and creative exchange among and between artists and audiences.
LIVE EDITIONS begins July 2026 with three artist residencies. Charlie Ashwell delves into dance and magic with Seke Chimutengwende in Working Titles; Yanaëlle Ritter explores moving and choreographing on sand in Shifting Sites, and Carolyn Roy explores listening practices in the natural amphitheatres of the Downs. Each of these residencies includes a public event sharing ideas and work in progress, which audiences are invited to. See What’s On for how you can get involved.
The programme continues in September with a public workshop, BODY & LAND, with further events this autumn to be facilitated by Stuart Waters, and by Samra Mayanja with Mary Osborn, Director of Live Art Development Agency. Further ahead, in February 2027, performances by Vida Vojić, and by Tim Etchells with Pouya Desai, come to Towner Eastbourne, while Graeme Miller and Lydia Newman host a public conversation inspired by Eastbourne’s cherished starling murmuration on the Pier.
LIVE EDITIONS website and socials are on their way - please stay tuned!