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 choreographers to be artists-in-residence in Dance Project’s Greensboro studio or Durham’s Barriskill Dance Theatre School’s studio during the 2024-25 season. 

Choreographers may apply in 1 of our 2 residency tracks.

• The Embark track is a 6 month residency, designed for early-career artists, including recent college or graduate school graduates. Applicants to the Embark track will likely have limited or no experience presenting their choreography outside of academic settings. This is ideal for someone needing a bridge to the NC professional dance community, and artists chosen must commit to being in NC during the residency period: June 2024-December 2024.
• The Explore track is a year-long residency, designed for artists who have completed the 6 month residency or who have additional professional experience, including experience presenting their choreography outside of academic settings. Artists finishing a graduate program who have this experience may apply in either track. Artists chosen must commit to being in NC during the residency period: June 2024-June 2025.

Both tracks provide space, peer support, and professional development to dance artists who are looking to create new work, explore new territory, develop an artistic practice, and/or gain additional experience developing their craft. 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.

Interdisciplinary artists and artists interested in community-based practices are strongly encouraged to apply, along with choreographers working in more formal dance practices. We seek a diverse and passionate group of artists working in any dance genre! Students in a dance-degree program are not eligible. Artists who participated in the residency program prior to 2023-24 are eligible to apply again.

Dance Project is partnering 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 likely 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.
• 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 2024 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.