NICA Artist Residency

CALL OUT FOR CIRCUS & PHYSICAL THEATRE ARTISTS

NICA's Artist Residency Program

With the support of the Australia Council for the Arts, the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) embarks on a one-year residency and mentorship program that will assist up to 23 circus and physical theatre artists to test and research ideas and create and present work.

Our partnering presenters and producers will be invited to provide feedback to artists on their final presentation of their research findings, in-progress showing during the creative development stage, and presentation of works. On completion of the artists’ residency at our facilities, the presenters and producers might fund the next stage of the artists’ creative process by giving support and taking the work to the next stage at their venues.

Selection Criteria:

The selection panel formed by 8 industry peers will assess applications based on creativity, innovation, artistic meaning and relevance, career stage and project budget planning.

Who should apply?

NICA welcomes proposals from emerging or established circus and physical theatre artists, groups or collectives who reside in Australia or have the right visa to live and work in Australia.

NICA continues to provide equal opportunities to artists regardless of their race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

KEY DATES

Applications Open:
Wednesday 9^th February 9am / AEST

Applications Close:
Wednesday 23^rd March 9am / AEST
*deadline has been extended*

download the Application Form

There are THREE types of residency on offer:

1. RESEARCH STAGE

NICA welcomes applications from artists who research into the following areas: new circus apparatus, concept development, technology and digital transformation.

Four artists will receive:

$1,200 cash contribution
one week (5 days) residency based at NICA
an office space
administration and IT support
access to library facilities
training space (if required)
technical production support (if required)
an artistic mentor
industry feedback

Research Showing:

Each resident artist will present their research for feedback to industry representatives, presenters and producers, NICA staff & students via a visual presentation and Q&A or panel discussion held at NICA.

Who should apply?

artists wanting to further develop their research before formulating an idea

Apply now

2. CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT STAGE

NICA welcomes applications from artists for ideas and/or concepts that are ready to be developed in the rehearsal studio.

There are THREE places for artists, groups or collectives available.

One artist, group or collective will receive:

$6,000 cash contribution
one week (5 days) residency based at NICA
training space
rehearsal studio (negotiated with NICA)
rigging support (if required)
an artistic mentor
industry feedback

One group or collective will receive:

$16,000 cash contribution
a two week (10 days) residency based at NICA
training space
rehearsal studio (negotiated with NICA)
rigging support (if required)
an artistic mentor
industry feedback

One group or collective will receive:

$20,000 cash contribution
a two week (10 days) residency based at NICA
training space
rehearsal studio (negotiated with NICA)
rigger (part time)
an artistic mentor
industry feedback

Presentation Showing:

Each group will perform a work-in-progress showing at the end of their residency and Q&A to an audience of industry representatives at NICA.

Who should apply?

artists who are ready to test ideas in a rehearsal studio;
artists who have works in progress;
artists who have already gone through a first stage development and are in a process of refinement

Apply now

3. PRESENTATION STAGE

NICA welcomes applications from artists for new work that is ready to be presented on stage.

For the Presentation stage there is ONE place for artists, groups or collectives available.

One artist, group or collective will receive:

$12,000 cash contribution
a one week residency (7 days) in NICA’s main theatre space
Producing support
NICA Marketing support
NICA Technical production support
Basic Venue lighting and sound equipment
NICA Sound Operator
NICA Lighting Operator
1 x Rigger
Safety and technical rehearsal (1 day)
Dress rehearsal (1 day)
5 show season during October 2022
Front of House support
Box office split (60%)
an artistic mentor
industry feedback

Performance:

Will be presented in the National Circus Centre (NCC); the main performance space at NICA to the public, industry presenters and producers during a one week season. The artist, group or collective will provide one master class and an industry talk as part of the residency.

Who should apply?

artists who have completed a new work ready for presentation

Apply now

The Mentor Program

The one-on-one mentorship program will provide our successful applicants with an opportunity to extend their knowledge and professional networks. Before, during and after the residency, each artist will engage with their mentors in order to track their growth and progress. Our multidisciplinary team of mentors is formed by eight high-level performing arts industry leaders and NICA’s renowned senior trainers who will provide tools and resources to help artists deepen their creativity and reinvent their practice.

The Selection Panel

NICA’S Residency Program panel consists of eight professional industry presenters, producers, arts & cultural leaders, and festival directors. The panelists will form the industry panel and provide feedback to the artists on completion of their residency at NICA.

The panel may commit to supporting the artists in order to extend their next stage of artistic development by housing them in their venues and/ or festivals.

KEY DATES:

Applications Open:
Wednesday 9^th February 9am / AEST

Applications Close:
Wednesday 23^rd March 9am / AEST
*deadline has been extended

HOW TO APPLY:

Download the application form below and send it completed, with supporting documents to info@nica.com.au

Please note you must be legally allowed to work in Australia.
It is a current requirement that persons must be fully vaccinated to enter the facility and workspaces.

download application form