This concludes our open call inviting proposals from individuals, organisations and consortia to present a viable, values-aligned vision for LIFT that builds upon its 45-year history and will lead the Festival into an exciting future.
LIFT’s collaborative, London-wide celebration of international theatre will continue to go from strength to strength under the stewardship of BAC, taking forward the Festival’s legacy of creating remarkable encounters on stages and in unexpected spaces across the city. Details of the next festival in 2027 will be announced in due course. The two organisations will now enter into a formal process to agree the terms of the new partnership, with final agreement from the BAC and LIFT Boards by December 2025.
Founded in 1981 by Rose Fenton and Lucy Neal to “challenge British theatre and open a window on the world,” LIFT has championed international theatre and performance through a biennial festival and off-festival programming for over four decades, bringing daring and unforgettable theatre from around the world to London. LIFT has pushed the boundaries of where, how, and with whom theatre takes place, creating radical, multidisciplinary, innovative productions — using the whole city as a stage and amplifying lesser-heard global perspectives.
Our open call, launched in June this year, followed a period of review following LIFT 2024, led by LIFT’s Board with support from the LIFT team and external advisers. Like many publicly funded arts organisations, LIFT has been navigating a challenging funding landscape and a shifting cultural context, but now more than ever, the review concluded that we need bold, collective moments of international connection and revelation.
The open call was therefore designed to seek proposals to transform LIFT’s model and future-proof the Festival. You can read more about the process here.
Battersea Arts Centre, based in London, is a world-renowned home for bold and contemporary theatre with a rich history of collaboration with LIFT. Battersea Arts Centre collaborates with groundbreaking artists from across the globe to create work that’s innovative, socially engaged and full of imagination. Their values of inclusivity, internationalism and creative risk-taking are deeply in tune with LIFT’s own spirit.
Image Credit © Christa Holka The Making of Pinocchio by Cade and MacAskill, Battersea Arts Centre’s Grand Hall 2023. Co-commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre, LIFT and partners.
Robin Saphra, Interim Chair of the Board, LIFT, said:
“We received an overwhelmingly encouraging set of proposals via our open call process. From over 35 proposals, BAC’s vision and leadership stood out in terms of their ideas for our future together and their insight into the challenges facing the UK’s cultural landscape. LIFT’s Board unanimously felt this was a true fit in spirit, scope and ambition.
Whilst we finalise terms with BAC, I would like to thank our Board, our panel and advisers and pay tribute to LIFT’s team across 2025: Jo Gooding (interim Executive Director), Amaya Jeyarajah Dent, who played a vital role in leading LIFT to this point of renewal while in post as interim Artistic Director, our brilliant Producer Karan Kaul and Head of Finance Noa Bladon.”
Claudia Kenyatta, Chair of the Battersea Arts Centre Board said:
“For us, LIFT has always been one of London’s most essential cultural moments – bringing together visionary artists from across the globe. We are delighted to be tasked with leading this next exciting chapter of LIFT’s history – continuing to bring unforgettable, boundary-pushing work to every corner of the capital. As organisations, BAC and LIFT are perfectly aligned with shared passions for access and inclusion, artistic freedom and international exchange. We look forward to building on the incredible success of the last 45 years.”
Rose Fenton and Lucy Neal, Founders of LIFT said:
“LIFT and BAC’s stories together go back to 1983 with the arrival of Tabule from Sierra Leone and a world of groundbreaking theatre makers ever since. A distinct space in London for a festival of international exchange and collaboration feels more important than ever before.
We’re happy that BAC’s been entrusted with this new adventure in LIFT’s ongoing evolution in and across London. New times call for new models. Stewardship of space for international and UK artists to make and create is at the heart of this and we are delighted”
Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Museums, Arts Council England said:
“We are delighted that two organisations with such an important track record in presenting international theatre have taken this bold step. We look forward to seeing how LIFT and BAC can collaborate to reimagine the future of this important festival, so that it continues to thrill London audiences with extraordinary performances by artists from across the globe”
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