CRITICAL BREAKS

CRITICAL BREAKS is a residency program for artists who are in a pivotal phase of developing new theater and/or performance work. The residency aims to provide artists with time and space to concentrate on a specific project and/or element of a project. This is an ideal for works that have already been started, and/or have perhaps received some institutional support, but are still in need of additional concentrated focus, funding and space.

Forms of work may include traditional theater, dance, performance and/or storytelling, or it may experiment with new technologies, movement, duration, site-specificity, hybridity, and more.

The residency period culminates with a WORK IN PROCESS [WIP]. [WIP] programs are designed in collaboration with the artist and Hi-ARTS.

Applications are now closed. To be notified of upcoming Artist Opportunities at Hi-ARTS, please sign up for Backstage Buzz.

CRITICAL BREAKS ARTISTS

  • CRITICAL BREAKS is intended for theater and performing artists. Artists must be willing and able to commit to 50 hours of development over a 4-6 week period.

    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 programs@hi-artsnyc.org.

    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;

    • embody diversity along the lines of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexuality;

    • offer and uphold the perspectives and experiences of historically marginalized groups;

    • create boundary-pushing forms of expressive culture and aesthetic practice.

    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.

  • 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. 

    Please note, the application form does not save must be submitted in one sitting. Click here for an Application Preview.

    The application asks for:

    • Applicant Information: Application and Collaborator names and roles and basic information.

    • Project Information: Project overview and current stage of development

    • ResidencyInformation: Ideal timeline and residency goals.

    • Budget Submission: Preliminary outline of needed resources and monetary allocation.

    • Work Samples: 1-3 examples of the applicant's work and/or the project.

    • Demographics: optional questions for statistic and funding purposes only

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

  • General

    • 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

    • WORK IN PROCESS Program

    • Archival photo and video documentation

    Creative

    • Direct Programmatic Support

    • Administrative Support with General Management

    • Collaborative Marketing Support

    • Staff consultation, via an open door policy and pre-scheduled meetings

    Financial & Administrative

    • Budget preparation and support

    • Purchasing

    • Advising

    • Financial Distribution (paying, etc.)

    • Contracting 

    Technical

    • When applicable: support in hiring / providing: stage manager, studio assistant, and/or production assistant

    • Light

    • Sound

    • Video Conferencing Equipment

    • Printer

    • Full Inventory List


    Physical Space & Amenities 

    • Black Box Theater

    • Dance Studio

    • Foyer Gallery Space

    • Approximately 50 hours of flexibly scheduled time in our space in person at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 in East Harlem, or on a virtual platform, or both. 

    Programmatic Reflection

    •  Pre- and post-residency reflection spaces

  • CRITICAL BREAKS and SKY LAB applications are accepted on a yearly basis. This year’s application cycle will open late June.

    The application deadline is Saturday, July 20th, 11:59pm EST. Review and selection take place July 22-August 23, 2024. Artists will be notified shortly thereafter. Internal conversations will take place through the month of September, and public announcements will be made late in September 2024.

    Residencies will take place in the months of: October 2024, November 2024, February 2025, March 2025, May 2025, and June 2025. The residency application provides an opportunity to specify which month(s) you prefer. We do our best to work and accommodate artist schedules, but do ask for flexibility. 

  • We recommend reading Frequently Asked Questions. For any additional questions, please contact us at programs@hi-artsnyc.org. You can expect a response within 2-3 business days.

2024 CRITICAL BREAKS Residency Highlights