Apply now for the Make Shift Camp 2026

What is Make Shift Camp?

Make Shift Camp is an exciting funded opportunity bringing together people aged 18–30 based in Bristol who are interested in exploring play with technology, building new ideas, and creating prototypes.  

It’s for anyone who likes making things - whether you’re into robotics, coding, immersive tech - or something else entirely. Part of the challenge is to explore how your interests could be applied to game-making. 

What sort of things will you make?  

This year’s camp theme is video-less games, so we're inviting participants to make games that blend the physical and the digital — cable ties and code, pixels and poster board.  

What if the next big thing in video games was something you could climb into, lean against, sweat through, or accidentally knock over? 

• What if a deck of cards had an internet connection? 

• What if a dance floor kept score? 

• What if you could control a game with your shadow, your breath, or the weight of a stone? 

We're interested in play that doesn't fit neatly on a screen or a tabletop — the harder it is to say where the game actually is, the better. We're looking for people who are up for smashing ideas together, experimenting with new materials, and being open to what happens. 

This year’s theme runs alongside SENTIENTS, our Undershed exhibition opening on Sat 18 July with video games and virtual reality inviting you to see through other eyes. Developed with a group of Young Curators from across Bristol and shaped by the themes, ideas and questions that mattered most to them. 

How does the 5-day camp work? 

8 camp attendees will work in small groups with producers from Pervasive Media Studio to support you throughout the week. At the end of the week, you’ll share what you’ve made. It doesn’t need to be polished - we welcome ideas that are rough around the edges, full of imagination, and maybe even held together with tape.  

The Camp takes place at Pervasive Media Studio, a space for people using creative technology in surprising ways. 

What support is available?  

Each participant will receive:  

• £1000 participant bursary  

• An additional access bursary if required 

• Support from Watershed staff and members of the Pervasive Media Studio community 

• Opportunity to collaborate with other people and share ideas with a friendly audience 

• Opportunity without pressure to think, make and experiment  

How are we supporting access needs? 

Pervasive Media Studio is wheelchair accessible, we have a quiet room and there is an ongoing invitation and opportunity to discuss any specific access requirements, throughout your engagement with us.    

We have staff team members who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, disabled, and are from a range of different class backgrounds. Get in touch if you have similar experiences and want to chat to one of us before making an application.

Who is this opportunity for?  

Make Shift Camp is a great opportunity for people in the early stages building their creative practice. You might not even use that language to describe yourself.  

We are excited to support people who might feel like they have more questions than answers, and to be able to help you answer them. 

The camp is a great place to explore: 

• How to respond to a theme and grow an idea from scratch 

• What it looks and feels like to collaborate with others 

• Building early-stage prototypes 

To apply, you need to: 

• Live in and around Bristol (BS post code area) 

• Be aged 18–30 for the duration of the Camp 

• Be available for all five Camp days Monday 17 - Fri 21 Aug 

We would love for you to be one or more of the things below:  

• Curious about creative tech (like robotics, sensors, immersive media, creative coding) 

• Have hands-on skills (sewing, model-making, carpentry, etc.) 

• Be interested in applying your skills sets to games building projects 

• Enjoy collaborating with people who think differently from you 

Get in touch with our Tony Bhajam, Make Shift Producer at Tony.B@watershed.co.uk if you have any questions.  

Key Dates 

• Wed 15 July at 17:00 – Applications close 

• Thu 23 and Fri 24 July – Shortlisted interviews (online or phone) 

• Mon 17 – Fri 21 Aug – Camp days (in-person) 

How do you apply?  

To apply you will need to complete an application form. 

With the exception of contact details, the application form allows responses in written or audio formats. You’ll be asked: 

For your contact details (Name, Telephone, Email) 

To confirm you meet the eligibility criteria by ticking a box 

To respond to the following questions: 

1. Why would you like to participate in the Make Shift Camp? (100–350 words or up to 3 min video/audio) 

2. We’re looking for people who  are excited about games and gaming and/or make playful things with technology. Tell us about something you’ve made, the kinds of things you’re interested in and any technical skills you might have. (100–350 words or up to 3 min video/audio) 

Optional: If you’d like us to look at any relevant links, you can add them to the form 

The form doesn’t have a save function, so we recommend prepping your answers first, then pasting them in. Don’t worry if you're slightly over or under the word/time counts. 

What happens when I’ve submitted my application?  

You should receive an auto-response from us confirming we have received your application.  

After the closing date/time passes, the submitted application forms will be shortlisted by a panel using the criteria outlined below. The shortlist will be invited to attend an online or phone interview which will be around 30 minutes in length. Questions will be sent in advance.   

Eight participants will be selected from interviews. Our intention is to select a curated cohort of Camp participants that will bring together a balance of skills, ideas and experience.  

If you have any access requirements that means the form or online interviews do not work for you, please email us at any point at  talentdevelopment@watershed.co.uk.

What are the assessment criteria?  

When assessing eligible applications we will score each one against the following questions:  

• Does this person show interest and skills in making games and playful things? 

• Does this person show excitement to engage with the theme? 

• Does this person show excitement to collaborate with others? 

• Will this opportunity make a difference to the person applying?  

We curate the Camp participants to bring together a balance of skills, ideas and experience. 

What is the overall timeline?   

• Fri19 June – Applications open 

• Wed 15 July 17:00 – Application form closing date 

• Fri 17 July – Shortlisted Applicants notified 

• Wed 22 July and Fri 24 July 10:00 – Interviews online or in person   

• Wed 29 July - Applicants notified 

• Mon 17 August - Fri 21 August - Camp will take place  

How can you get in touch with any comments, questions, or thoughts?  

We look forward to hearing from you and if you have any questions or queries you can:   

Email us at talentdevelopment@watershed.co.uk 

Join us at an Open Studio Friday   

Make Shift is made possible with support from Arts Council England and Bristol City Council. Our Make Shift Camp is additionally supported by MyWorld and our partners in Pervasive Media Studio, UWE Bristol and University of Bristol.

Apply for Make Shift Camp 2026