In summer 2024, artists must be available for 5-10 consecutive days between July 8 and July 28. Specific timing will be determined by the mutual availability of the artists and The Prior.

Each selected artist or company will receive a $3000 stipend for their summer work. Note: this stipend will be paid only to the lead artist/entity, who is then responsible for compensating any other collaborators.

The program also includes additional financial support of up to $1000 to realize the project’s technical or production needs, whether during the residency itself or at any point prior to June 30 of the following year.

Note: This additional funding will go first to any technical, material, or personnel resources required for the summer residency beyond those available at The Prior; and second to future iterations of the work in the subsequent year. (In other words, an artist who requires $1000 of additional equipment during the summer residency itself will not be eligible for additional expenses related to the project in the year following the residency.)

A variety of disciplines are accepted including, but not limited to: theater, dance, music, media, film/video, literature, visual arts, and interdisciplinary arts. Solo artists or collaborative groups (e.g., theater or dance companies) are welcome to apply. Sample projects include, but are not limited to:

• A choreographer working with a company to devise a new piece
• A playwright working with actors to develop the latest draft of her new play
• A musical ensemble rehearsing a new piece
• A solo composer creating a new work
• A musical group looking to develop or record a new project
• A writer or group of writers seeking a writing retreat
• Artists seeking time and space for reflection or research
• Collaborators in any discipline, or across disciplines, who need to spend time in a room together

• A black box theater and a concert hall available for table rehearsals, musical rehearsals, or movement work.
• A dance studio available for table rehearsals, musical rehearsals, movement work, or meetings, conversation, or writing.
• A recording studio and rehearsal room suite available for recording sessions, rehearsals, small-scale movement work, or meetings, conversation, or writing.
• Small classrooms available for tablework, meetings, conversation, and writing. 
• Individual music practice rooms available for music practice.

Note: acceptance to the residency program does not guarantee the use of any one space at The Prior. Prior and WCC staff will work with accepted artists to determine the best space for their work based on artists’ preferred dates, their technical needs, and other programming at The Prior.

Visual artists who require a maker/studio space. (Note: visual artists who do not require a maker/studio space are welcome to apply; please describe your needs in detail.)

No. These residencies are for developmental purposes only.

This grant is part of Holy Cross and the Worcester Cultural Coalition’s ongoing research into successful campus-based residency programs for community artists. As such, participating artists must be willing to engage with researchers in conversation and self-reflection about their creative residency process and experience.

Artists should expect 1-2 onboarding meetings in May and June; a minimum of three brief touchpoints with researchers during the July residency; and a follow-up meeting in August. Brief written reflections may occasionally be required before, during, or after the residency.

• Artists must live or work in Worcester, Massachusetts. If this application is being submitted on behalf of a company of artists, the project’s lead artist must live or work in Worcester.
• Artists must be able to come daily to the Holy Cross campus for 5-10 consecutive days between July 8 and July 28, 2024. Housing and transportation are not provided.
• All participants must be 21 years or older.

Complete this simple form.

In it, you will be asked to describe your project and outline your goals for the residency. You will also be asked to email a CV to mbeyer@holycross.edu and given the option to share links to files, portfolio submissions, or other media to supplement the application.

• February 15- March 15, 2024: Applications open.
• Mid-April, 2024: All artists informed of application decisions.
• May and June, 2024: Artist-in-residence on-boarding.
• July 8- July 28, 2024: Residency of 5-10 consecutive days.
• August, 2024: Residency conclusion and wrap-up.