CRITICAL BREAKS is intended for theater and performing artists. Artists must commit to a commitment of 50 hours of development. Hi-ARTS considers an artist’s individual experiences, perspectives, and values with the same degree of care and attention that we pay to your creative portfolio. Both are considered alongside one another during the application process.

Hi-ARTS considers an artist’s individual experiences, perspectives, and values with the same degree of care and attention that we pay to your creative portfolio. Both are considered alongside one another during the application process. We value artists who:

• Respond to social justice themes and/or bring visibility to their lived experiences
• Innovate and push known aesthetics into new and dynamic interdisciplinary forms
• Create new original works that expand the perspectives traditionally represented in contemporary theater, performance, and other creative areas
• Value interaction with the community as a means of both developing content and providing broad public engagement
• Diversity along the lines of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexuality
• Experiences and perspectives of historically marginalized groups
• Boundary-pushing forms of expressive culture and aesthetic practice
• We support performance works that engage Hip-Hop and urban aesthetics. This may include theater, music, dance and interdisciplinary practices. Hi-ARTS welcomes both traditional and experimental expressions of “hip-hop”. For our definitions of these terms, please visit the FAQs.
• While all are welcome to apply, Hi-ARTS prioritizes supporting Artists of the Global Majority.

Note: To receive the artist stipend, artists must complete a W9 form to receive payment. If you have questions about student participation, citizenship, or other eligibility questions that are not answered in the FAQs below, please contact us at info@hi-artsnyc.org

General Program:
• Access to flexibly scheduled time in the Hi-ARTS space at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 in East Harlem, or on a virtual platform, or both
• Artist Stipend
• Public Work-In-Process showing and/or artist talk
• Photo and video archival documentation

Creative:
• Support from the Programming Team
• Staff consultation, via an open door policy and pre-scheduled meetings

Budgeting & Administrative
• Access to sample Hi-ARTS budget
• Access to budget template
• Budget preparation resources & Support

Technical
• Hiring support: stage manager, studio assistant, and/or production assistant

Physical Space (Artspace PS109)
• Blackbox theater
• Dance studio
• Foyer gallery space

Equipment
• Video Conferencing Equipment

Networking
• Connections to the larger Hi-ARTS community

Programmatic Reflection
• Pre- and post- residency reflection spaces

Applications for SKY LAB and CRITICAL BREAKS are accepted on a rolling basis with priority deadlines announced throughout each calendar year. Please sign up for our Artist Opportunity Mailing List to be informed of upcoming opportunities and deadlines.

Applicants apply by completing an application form which will include a project description and/or proposal as well as work samples. Candidates can apply for both CRITICAL BREAKS and SKY LAB Residencies in the application form.

The application asks for:

• Names of artists, all collaborators, and project roles
• Individual artist/ensemble/collaborator bios
• Artistic devising/development process
• Project description
• Insight as to how personal value system resonates in work
• Residency goals
• Projected use of resources and technical assistance
• Budget proposal. Download budget templates here: Excel Template; PDF Template
• Prior development for the project, if any
• Target audiences/communities
• Preferred dates and rehearsal times for residency. Please note: We will be as flexible as possible in scheduling rehearsals and a public offering. Hi-ARTS shares Artspace PS109 with other nonprofit organizations, artists, and rentals.
• Up to three (3) work samples
• Upcoming performances, if any
• Optional demographic information

For questions, or assistance accessing any part of this application, please contact us at info@hi-artsnyc.org.

Visit the FAQ page.

For any additional questions, please contact us at info@hi-artsnyc.org. You can expect a response within 2-3 business days.