About the Performance AIRspace Residency
Abrons Arts Center’s Performance AIRspace Residency supports a cohort of 2 early career performing artists for a project development residency over the course of 12 months, and production period the following year. With support from the Jerome Foundation, Performance AIRspace residents are provided with a commission fee and premium access to studios and theaters for rehearsals towards the development of a live performance to be presented at Abrons Arts Center in 2026/2027.
You will receive:
- $10,000 commission fee for a new work to premiere at Abrons
- $5,000 developmental workshop budget
- 200 hours of fully subsidized studio rental time in any of our performance studios for the Residency Year. 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
- 2 dinners with AIRspace residency cohort
You are:
- A practicing performing artist who identifies as “early career” — Please read “early career” criteria as defined by the Jerome Foundation before applying
- An individual — Collaboratives are not eligible to apply
- Based in New York City and living within the 5 boroughs at the time of application submission and during residency period
- Not in a degree granting program or a student during the residency period
- In alignment with Abrons Arts Center’s Mission Statement and Declaration of Inclusion
- 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 a clear, respectful communicator
You have:
- A proposal for a new work that has not yet premiered and is not slated to have a premiere before end of 2027
- A receptiveness to producorial collaboration with the Abrons Producing team
- Excellent interpersonal skills that balance warmth and clarity, with good communication skills
You will:
- Be actively engaged at Abrons Arts Center in your studio practice on a consistent basis
- Have opportunities to share work in progress with the Abrons Arts Education department
- Establish and maintain goal lines and production schedules working towards an Abrons premiere in collaboration with the Abrons Producing team
Time Commitment:
The Performance AIRspace Residency is 9 month developmental residency (Residency Year) and production period as defined by Abrons Producing department leading up to a premiere performance (Production Year).
Application timeline:
- Application goes live: March 3, 2025
- Applications due: March 31, 2025
- Application review: April 2025
- In person interview: June 2025
- Invitations made: July 2025
- Residency begins: September 2025
Important Dates:
Residents are required to participate in the following programming:
Residency Year
- September 2025 - First Day & Orientation
- October 2025 - AIRspace Fall Cohort Dinner
- Spring 2026 - Open Studio Sharing
Production Year (Subject to change)
- September 2026 - Fall Season Mixer
- Production period as determined by developmental residency schedule
Important notes:
Commissioned projects will:
- Engage in a developmental workshop/process with the guidance of the producing team
- Be between 60 and 90 minutes
- Have no more than 5 performers (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.