YORK Theatre Royal's TakeOver 2015 has issued an open call for artists to perform in this autumn's festival.

The main programme is beginning to take shape for this annual event, run by young people in tandem with the Theatre Royal, and now the organisers want to hear from any regional artists – individuals or companies – who are interested in taking part.

In this groundbreaking festival, a team of 12 to 25 year olds usually takes over the entire Theatre Royal building and replaces all of its staff, although TakeOver 2015 will be somewhat different.

While the theatre in St Leonard's Place undergoes a £4.1 million redevelopment, the Theatre Royal is working in partnership with the National Railway Museum in Leeman Road, and consequently, from October 24 to 31, the NRM will play host to TakeOver.

The TakeOver team is looking for Yorkshire creative talent of all ages – only TakeOver team members have to be 12 to 25 – to submit pitches for any of the NRM's unusual, characterful and atmospheric spaces.

"Whether you’re a theatre-maker, installation artist, dancer, musician, writer, comedian, poet, performer, painter, producer or filmmaker, we want to hear from you," say the organisers.

The brief for artists requires the pitch to respond to a National Railway Museum space, be it an outdoor space, a train carriage or a hidden nook or cranny, and it must relate to the theme of journeys and be accessible and engaging for all ages. "It can be a new idea or an existing piece of work that fits with our brief, or can be adapted to fit it," say the organisers. "Please note, you must be based in Yorkshire and it must be a free event, and if it’s a performance, a donations bucket is allowed."

Applicants must send details of their pitch, including how it relates to the theme, how it responds to the NRM space(s) and why it is suitable for the TakeOver festival. They should also provide examples of past work and a brief history of the artist or company applying.

Applications should be sent to festival producer Bex Phillips at bex.phillips@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk before 5pm on Tuesday, August 18. Successful applicants will be invited to a meeting on Wednesday or Thursday at the NRM.

Although no fee is available, York Theatre Royal can offer a day of free workshop space for research and development during September or October per artist or company. "The piece will be included in our printed and digital programme of events too and will receive full marketing support," says Bex.

The TakeOver 2015 programme of performances, events and installations will respond directly to the NRM's playing spaces, with commissioned work taking inspiration from sources in the archives and warehouses.

"TakeOver 2015 will be a unique multi-arts festival taking place throughout the museum, immersing itself and its audiences in York’s heritage," says Bex. "The festival’s mission is to welcome the inquisitive, the adventurous and the imaginative, and to challenge visitors of all ages to expect the unexpected."