Unrehearsed Artist Residency Program 2026 (URP)

About the Open Call

Unrehearsed (Virtual) Artist Residency Program (URP) is an artist fund that supports the creation of new dance work by artists who have faced significant challenges in the South Asian dance industry. URP provides funds to center the strengths, experiences, and artistry from 1. Historic contributors to Indian art who are often not credited for their work or 2. South Asian identifying folks practicing and creating in art forms that lack structural and organizational support in the South Asian performing arts industry or 3. Those who have a history of using art to elevate awareness of urgent social justice issues.

What is Offered

$1500 and an additional production stipend (amount TBD based on production cost in country of residence) will be awarded to up to 6 artists to create a new dance work.

Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years old or over, able to receive payment through various means (check, wire transfer, PayPal), and identify as a South Asian movement artist OR a person who practices a South Asian artform. Candidates must have over 2 years of artistic experience and be currently creating a new or reimagined dance-based work that challenges the status quo in their field. Availability to attend 2 hours a month in virtual meetings and dedicate 40-50 hours in a rehearsal space during February - September 2026 is required. The program prioritizes artists who identify as a racial, religious, caste, or cultural minority in their South Asian dance form, from less represented countries in South Asia or the South Asian diaspora, an LGBTQIA+ dance practitioner, a person with a disability, a senior dance practitioner, a person facing systemic difficulties due to immigration status/country of origin, a person deriving significant livelihood from art, a practitioner of a rare art form, a person using art for social justice, or a hereditary dance practitioner.

How to Apply

Applicants must first complete an eligibility form provided via the Google Form. Eligible applicants will then proceed to the full application section of the form. The entire application can be previewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/170RVhTnlOrep3uqCg_HmVTlEv7s2k79H/view?usp=sharing. For assistance, contact ankita@navadance.org.