Building for the Arts is excited to introduce The Studio Residency at Theatre Row, an initiative that provides nonprofit performing arts companies with resources of time, space, and professional development intended for organizational growth.

About The Studio Residency:

Four companies will be selected for the inaugural season of The Studio Residency. Nonprofit performing arts companies from all disciplines are welcome, including theater, dance, opera, puppetry, and more!

As a part of the residency, each company will receive access to studio and rehearsal space over the course of ten months to be used as they see fit. The goal of the residency is to provide dedicated space to emerging companies to develop new works and grow as an organization. While companies may use their space for invited presentations, there are no performance or project requirements for this residency.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicant Organizations must:

- Identify as a performing arts organization (the residency is not intended for independent or solo artists, visual arts disciplines, or literary arts disciplines)

- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

- Have an annual budget of $300,000 or less at the time of application

- Have at least two years (seasons) of producing history with at least one production/project per year

- Be based in the New York Metro area

- Have and maintain general liability insurance, or secure coverage before the start of the residency

The Studio Residency Elements:

The inaugural season of The Studio Residency will run from February to November 2027. Organizations may opt to extend their residency at the end of year one, for a total residency period of two years.

Each organization accepted into the residency will receive:

Rehearsal Studio Access: 

- Access to ten (10) hours per month of rehearsal space in any Theatre Row rehearsal studio, pending availability.

Studio Theatre Access:

- Access to one week per month, February through November, in the Studio Theatre (Theatre Row's intimate black box performance space)

• Each organization will be assigned a specific set of ten (10) weeks (one per month) from February to November (organizations will be given multiple opportunities to come together and swap weeks if needed) 
• Full “lock out” access for each week (Monday – Sunday; 9:30am – 11pm) 
• Each organization will have the ability to hold invited presentations (non-ticketed) in the Studio Theatre during their assigned weeks

Other Residency Elements: 

- Theatre Rentals:

• Access to day rentals in any of Theatre Row’s 99-seat theatres at discounted rates of $300/day (85% off our nonprofit day rate of $2,100), subject to availability
• Presentations must take place at Theatre Row's regular curtain times
• Theatre Row box office will handle ticketing for the event – tickets will be general admission only

- Rehearsal Studio Rentals: 

• Option to book additional rehearsal space at discounted $10/hour rates for Studios 3, 5, and 6 (compared to $25 and $30 per hour) 
• Option to book additional rehearsal space at discounted $25/hour rates for Studios 1 and 2 (compared to $40 and $55 per hour) 
• A total of 30 additional discounted hours can be booked per month 

- Cohort Convenings: 

• Quarterly opportunities for the cohort to connect with each other and the Theatre Row and Building for the Arts staff

- Leadership Office Hours: 

• The opportunity for multiple coaching/knowledge-sharing sessions per year—once with each participating Building for the Arts staff specialist

- Inclusion in Anti-harassment Training: 

• Cohort has the option to participate in Building for the Arts’ yearly anti-harassment training 

- Marketing and Press Support: 

• Building for the Arts’ Advancement Department will create opportunities for resident companies to welcome their existing audiences and introduce new audiences to their work through outreach

The deadline for application submissions is Sunday, October 4th at 11:59pm EST.

**Please note that we will not be accepting applications past the deadline listed above.

Please join us for The Studio Residency Open House at Theatre Row on Monday, September 14th from 3pm-6pm. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to come to the Open House, tour Theatre Row and the residency specific spaces, and ask questions. Light refreshments will be provided.

Theatre Row is located at 410 W 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036

If you have questions regarding the residency or application, please visit the FAQ page on our website. You can also send questions to residency@bfany.org.