ACTivate – FAQ

What is the ACTivate Residency? 

The ACTivate Residency of Boston Center for the Arts is a seven-day, site-responsive artist residency in Boston’s historic Cyclorama building, designed to support artists in the exploration of an idea or concept without the requirement of a finished product or piece at the culmination of their residency.

In 2024 BCA will select two ACTivate Residents — individuals or small collectives of artists for a seven-day residency to create site-responsive work in the historic Cyclorama. The work can be performative and/or visual in nature and is meant to activate Boston’s artists and our spaces. ACTivate also invites two Filmmakers to collaborate with the artist or lead artist of the selected group on the documentation of the work created and the story behind the work.

This opportunity is open to all Boston-based visual, performing, and interdisciplinary artists with priority given to Boston BIPOC, Immigrant, and New American artists and their collaborators. Artists participating in this program receive support for research, development, rehearsal, marketing, and mentorship.

What is the philosophy of the selection process? 

BCA has adopted an artistic ethos that we apply to all of our residency programs. Our goal is to gather a diverse and inclusive community of artists for the purpose of supporting innovative work across disciplines, connecting artists with peers and resources, and providing a vibrant platform for new art in Boston.

Each application will be evaluated based on artist’s demonstration of:

Experimentation. Does the artist’s practice display innovation, openness to new ideas, perspectives and techniques?

Responsiveness. Is the artist’s work relevant, topical, in dialogue with issues of contemporary interest?

Balance. Does the artist think holistically about the relationships between art and life?

Community engagement. Does the artist demonstrate a willingness and aptitude for significant give and take exchange among colleagues and audiences? 

Potential impact. How does the artist articulate the impact of this residency on their practice?

How do you define “new work”? 

We define new work as something that does not already exist or as something that exists but is in a state of evolution.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to all Boston-based visual, performing, and interdisciplinary artists with priority given to Boston BIPOC, Immigrant, and New American, and historically underrepresented artists and their collaborators. Applicants must live in the City of Boston with preference given to artists who live in Brighton-Allston, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and Roxbury.

How do I apply? 

Applications are submitted online via JotForm.

Click here for Artist Application.

Click here for the Filmmaker Application.

If you are unable to complete an online application please contact us at andrea@bostonarts.org. 

We recommend compiling and saving your application materials on a separate word or google document as JotForm does not offer a “save” option.

I have a full-time job. Can I still be a part of this Residency? 

Yes. We get it. Most Boston artists often have full- or part-time jobs to support their artistic practice. The ACTivate Residency runs Monday–Sunday and Residents will work with BCA staff to determine a schedule that works best for everyone.

Ultimately however, you should make sure your schedule supports getting the most out of the residency.

I have applied. When can I expect to hear back? 

Artists who submit their applications by the March 1 deadline will be notified of their candidacy between April 1. Filmmakers will be notified by May 1.

What is included in the documentation? 

Residents will work with the filmmaker to develop a plan for documentation based on the nature of the project. Each resident will be featured in a short documentary-style film to be premiered in the fall of 2021. If the project includes a performance or final presentation, we will document that as well and include a link to the full performance on our website. 

Does my project have to be polished or can it be a work in progress? 

We are an incubator of new work; a celebration of process; progress in motion. We are all about work that is scrappy. Feel free to come as you are. 

What does it mean to be performative and/or visual in nature? 

Simply put – we are looking for projects that include some type of performance or projects that live in the world of visual art. If you are someone who works in a medium that is not inherently performative or visual, you may want to consider collaborating with artists who do work in those mediums. We love interdisciplinary work. 

How many artists can make up a collective?

In order to keep everyone safe, we are limited collectives to no more than 4 artists. 

What are important things to know about the Cyclorama? 

The Cyclorama building was originally commissioned to house a 400-by-50 foot painting of the Battle of Gettysburg. It’s historic. It’s cavernous. It’s beautiful. And hopefully, it will be an inspiration to your work. BCA has a short list of do’s and don’ts as well as other important information which can be found on our website. 

Have another question? Let us know. Email ArtisticProgramming@bostonarts.org. Please put ACTivate in the subject line.