Applications Are Now Closed!

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The ACTivate Residency of Boston Center for the Arts is a week-long, 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, New American, and historically underrepresented artists and their collaborators. Artists participating in this program receive support for research, development, rehearsal, marketing, and mentorship.

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.

ARTISTIC ETHOS
Applicants are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate meeting the following criteria in line with the Artistic Ethos of BCA.

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.

Experimentation. We support artistic work that displays innovation and openness to new ideas, perspectives, and techniques.

Responsiveness. In the process of supporting new and innovative work, we value ideas that are relevant to contemporary interests and conversations.

Community engagement. We encourage an artistic practice that engages meaningfully with the ecosystem where it exists through collaboration and exchange among artists and audiences.

Potential impact. We seek to support artists for whom our involvement has the potential to propel their practice creating a path for growth artistically and professionally.

 

Andrea Blesso, Director of Dance & Interdisciplinary Arts (andrea@bostonarts.org) is available to answer questions and provide additional information about the residency.

The ACTivate Residency is supported by a contract from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture of the City of Boston for workforce development for artists and creative workers.

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More info:

• ACTivate Cyclorama Specs
• Watch the 2023 Activate Showcase short films