Performance AIRspace Residency: 2026-2028

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About the Performance AIRspace Residency

Abrons Arts Center's Performance AIRspace Residency supports two early-career performing artists for an 18-month residency that includes a premiere of a live performance in our 2027-2028 season. With support from the Jerome Foundation, Performance AIRspace residents are provided with a commission fee, production budget, and premium access to studios for rehearsals. 

 

You will receive:

  • $10,000 commission fee within Year 1 for a new work to premiere at Abrons
  • $5,000 presentation fee, within Year 2
  • A budget for a produced premiere work, developed alongside the Abrons Programming Department 
  • 200 hours of fully subsidized studio rental time in any of our performance studios for Year 1 and 2. Please visit our website to learn more about our studios
  • A public works in process sharing
  • Promotional photoshoot for the project
  • Photo documentation and archival video documentation of the project

 

You are: 

  • A practicing performing artists who identities as "early career" — Please read "early career" criteria as defined by the Jerome Foundation before applying
  • Based in New York City and living within the 5 boroughs for the duration of the residency and have been a New York City resident for at least one year prior to program participation. 
  • Not in a degree granting program during the residency period
  • In alignment with Abrons Arts Center's Mission, Vision, and Values 
  • Conscientious and genuinely excited to create community with Abrons team members and Resident Artists
  • Available to attend the required residency programs, listed below in the "Important Dates" section
  • A creative problem solver and clear, respectful communicator
  • Open and interested in sharing your practice and process with intergenerational learners

 

You have: 

  • A proposal for a new work that has not yet premiered and is not slated to have a premiere before end of 2028
  • An interest in receiving producing guidance from the Abrons Programming Department
  • Excellent interpersonal skills that balance warmth and clarity, with good communication skills
  • A demonstrated track record of developing full length performance for a live audience 

 

You will: 

  • Be actively engaged at Abrons Arts Center in your studio practice on a consistent basis 
  • Engage in works in progress sharing and facilitate workshops with the Abrons Arts Education Department, including, but not limited to acting as a resource and collaborator with the Urban Youth Theater Ensemble
  • Maintain goal lines and production schedules as outlined by the Abrons Programming Department, towards the premiere production 

 

Time Commitment: 

The Performance AIRspace Residency is an 18-month developmental residency that includes a production period and premiere performance. 

 

Preimieres of Performance AIRspace Residency projects fall within Year 2 of the Residency, but may not conclude the Residency. If the premiere of the Residency project takes place before the conclusion of Year 2, Residents are asked to utilize studio and office space for continued workshopping and research. 

 

Application Timeline: 

  • Application goes live: February 2, 2026
  • Application due: February 28, 2026 at 11:59pm ET (all applications not received via Submittable by this time are not eligible) 
  • Application review: March 1, 2026 - March 27, 2026
  • In person interview: April 15-17, 2026
  • Invitations made: May 2026
  • Residency begins: September 2026

 

Important Dates: Residents are required to participate in the following

Residency Year 1 (Subject to change) 

  • September 8, 2026 - First Day & Orientation 
  • Monthly Check Ins/Production meetings to stay up to date about the project with the Abrons Programming team
  • October 2026 - Cohort Dinner
  • Spring 2026 - Cohort Dinner
  • January - May 2027 - UYT Ensemble Rehearsals (up to 2 engagements) 
  • May 2026 - Spring Work in Progress Sharing 

Residency Year 2 (Subject to change) 

  • October 2027 - Cohort Dinner 
  • Spring 2028 - Cohort Dinner 
  • Production period as determined by developmental residency schedule 
  • Premiere performance in either Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 
  • June 2028 - Residency Concludes 

 

Important notes: 

Commissioned projects will: 

  • Engage in a developmental workshop/process with the guidance of the Abrons Programming team
  • Be between 60 and 75 minutes 
  • Have no more than 5 performances (including musicians) 
  • Be performed on a proscenium stage for an audience of 300, or in an intimate black box space with flexible seating of up to 80 audience members

 

Questions?

Email: AbronsAirSpace@henrystreet.org

 

Funding:

Abrons Arts Center's Performance AIRspace Residency is made possible with funds from The Jerome Foundation and NYC's Department of Cultural Affairs. 

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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