ACTivate Residency Details [Filmmaker]

Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) is looking for filmmakers to collaborate with resident artists throughout their ACTivate Residencies on the filming and production of a 3-5 minute documentary to document the work and highlight the impact of the ACTivate Residency. 

In 2025–2026 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 BCA Cyclorama and will also invite two Filmmakers to collaborate with each of the lead artists of the selected groups on the documentation of the work created and story behind the work. 

Through documentation we hope to illustrate that: 

  • The creative process varies from artist to artist
  • The creative process can be unexpected 
  • The act of creating new work happens both inside and outside of the studio
  • An artist’s practice is always evolving 
  • Boston artists are here at the BCA Cyclorama making current, risky, engaging work

Films may be used at the discretion of Boston Center for the Arts and the artist(s) and may be shared during an event in the BCA Cyclorama.

 

SCOPE OF WORK

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

A three-to-five-minute film that provides viewers with a behind the curtain look at the artistic process over the course of the residency. This will include footage shot on-site at BCA during the residency period. It may also include self-taped footage provided by the resident, interviews, off-site footage of the resident, and other agreed upon footage. 

Purpose & Themes

The films will be used to document the artists’ creative process and to give audiences a ‘behind the curtain” look by:

  • Engaging audiences in the work of the artists and the mission of BCA to provide artists with opportunities to create, perform, and exhibit new works. 
  • Showcasing the Residency and the impact a site-specific residency can have on an artists’ creative process.
  • Highlighting the artists both inside and outside of the studio. 

Pre-production Meetings

Prior to the start of each residency, the filmmaker will have at least two pre-production meetings with the artist and a representative from BCA to fine tune details and potential shooting schedule. The filmmaker and artist will provide BCA with filming details based on these conversations. 

Specific audiences and uses for these films:

  • Artists will be able to include the finished films on their artist website if they choose to do so.
  • BCA will share the films as needed for fundraising and marketing purposes.

Stakeholders

Contractor will collaborate and consult with the major stakeholders in the project – Andrea Blesso, Director of Dance and Interdisciplinary Arts, the Artistic Programming Team, and the Marketing & Communications Team. Filmmaker will arrange for reviews and approvals at milestones in the pre- and post-production process.

 

Deliverables

Fully produced, edited films for each residency within 30 days after the completion of the residency. Film specs should be a minimum 2K / HD. 

Filmmaker will provide professional video and audio production and will use professional applications, licensed music, and BCA will own all rights to the film in perpetuity. Filmmaker will collaborate with and arrange for reviews and approvals with stakeholders for the concept development, rough cut, and final cut of the videos.

 

JOB STRUCTURE & RATE

Filming will take place during your selected 2026 ACTivate Residency session:

  • January 12–18, 2026 (Monday-Sunday)
  • March 2–8, 2026 (Monday-Sunday)

Payment is $4,500 and will be made in portions aligned with filming and final edit of the film. 

 

APPLICATION DETAILS

ACTivate Artists and Filmmakers will be selected through an open call process by guest panelists composed of Boston-area artists and/or arts professionals. Applicants are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate meeting the criteria in line with the Artistic Ethos of BCA. Apply here.