Residencies and Space Grants
For over 30 years, BAX has been known for nurturing and supporting a diverse array of dance, theater, performance art, and multidisciplinary performing artists, many of whom provide leadership around social justice initiatives within the art sector and beyond. BAX’s resident artists powerfully embody the ways performance practices are unique vehicles to elevate lineage, gender, race, and culture, while simultaneously existing across gender, sexuality, race, and abilities.
The majority of BAX residencies are offered as part of an intentional cohort in which they have opportunities for both peer exchange and artist advisor mentorship. The curatorial selection process is reflective of BAX’s mission and core commitments to anti-oppression and pro-inclusion and takes into account our field’s history of racism and discrimination.
BAX’s Artist in Residence (AIR) program provides 3 NYC-based dance, theater, and interdisciplinary performance artists with space and financial stipends alongside artistic, technical, and administrative support for the development of new work. The residencies provide an opportunity for individual, artistic exploration within the supportive ecosystem of a cohort of other artists, and mentorship from BAX Artistic Director Marlène Ramírez-Cancio, Senior Director of Programs and Production Lucia Scheckner, and Artistic Advisors Abigail Browde and nia love.
BAX also offers Space Grants to performing artists which include a stipend, support of a cohort, free rehearsal space, performance opportunities, mentorship and studio showings.
BAX provides a unique Parent Artist Space Grant to several dance, theater, and performance artists each year for artists who identify as primary caregivers to children ages 0-14. This grant includes a stipend (cash and childcare), support of a cohort, free rehearsal space, performance opportunities, mentorship, and informal studio showings.
In the 2018 season, BAX initiated the Disabled Artist Space Grant program for disabled artists specifically. In 2022, the principles of the program are being incorporated into all of the residency programs, such that all RFPs include a specific invitation and encouragement for disabled artists to apply. In addition to the mentorship of the collective groups and the artistic advisors, disabled artists are invited to participate in D.R.E.A.M. (the Disability, Radicality, Embodiment, and Access for Makers Studio Program) a mentorship program designed and led by International artist Perel.
Other Space Grant arrangements are curated and developed in collaboration with community members, resident artists, alumni, and staff in order to continually be responsive to artistic community action, needs, and engagement.