Artist Residency

In an effort to nurture NC choreographers, build a network of dance artists, and support the development of high-quality dance work, the NC Dance Festival will select 4 choreographers to be artists-in-residence in Dance Project’s Greensboro studio or Durham’s Barriskill Dance Theatre School’s studio during the 2026 season (June-December).

These 8 month residencies provide space, peer support, and professional development to dance artists who are looking to create new work, explore new territory, or develop and refine an existing work. Preference will be given to artists who do not otherwise have affordable access to rehearsal space. This residency is more than a space grant; selected artists should be prepared to engage with their fellow artists in residence regularly, and attend scheduled cohort meetings. Artists chosen must commit to being in NC during the residency period: June 2026-December 2026 (with a final showing in January 2027).

The 2026 residency program seeks to provide artists with the opportunity to develop a new or existing dance work through feedback and open showings. We seek artists with clear goals for their residency focus. Artists have the chance to complete the residency with a finished, well-developed dance work to submit to festivals, other residency programs, or other presenting opportunities. Early-career artists and experienced choreographers alike are encouraged to apply. We seek a diverse and passionate group of artists working in any dance genre, or in interdisciplinary practices. Students in a dance-degree program during the residency are not eligible. Artists who participated in the residency program prior to 2025-26 are eligible to apply again.

Dance Project partners with Barriskill Dance Theatre School in Durham, NC, to provide a residency location more conveniently located to the Triangle community. Resident artists in Durham or Greensboro will all be part of the cohort and will participate in occasional programming in both locations over the residency. 

Dance Project/NC Dance Festival is working towards creating a space where people, no matter who they are, can see themselves reflected in our programming. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, people in the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities or who are members of other systemically marginalized communities.

Artists will receive: 

• Up to 3-4 hours weekly of free rehearsal space during their residency period, to be scheduled around classes happening in the studios.
• *NEW THIS YEAR* Pending successful funding, we aim to offer each artist a small production stipend of $800, to be used to pay dancers or other collaborators for rehearsal time, support music or costume costs, or other costs associated with developing or presenting your work. Please be prepared to tell us in the application how you would plan to use this stipend for your project. 
• Opportunity for creative support and mentorship from NC Dance Festival director, past and current resident artists, and other members of the NC dance community. 
• Discounted access to Dance Project’s drop-in adult classes and master classes, including the August 2026 Dance Project Intensive.
• Professional development support that may include grant review, teaching opportunities, and professional networking.
• Opportunity to audition area dancers for their work.
• Chance to share creative work with the general public in various settings.
• Publicity support via Dance Project’s social media.