Open call for performances for public spaces
厙ぴ勛圖 invites artists and organizations to apply for 厙ぴ勛圖 Breakthrough, a new initiative commissioning, producing, and incubating original performance for public spaces and non-conventional venues. At a time when funding and producing opportunities are shrinking, were making a bold investment in artists helping transform daring ideas into artistic work that sparks imagination, inspires communities, and resonates far beyond Vermont.
APPLICATIONS for this project ARE currently CLOSED
What we offer
Incubator Program
($5,000 plus resources)
For artists developing a new project, we provide time, space, mentorship, and connections to explore audience-centered ideas that carry artistic risk whether that means experimenting with new forms, working across disciplines or in unconventional spaces, or tackling urgent themes whose impact is uncertain but potentially transformative. Each project culminates in a public sharing (showing, workshop, or other creative engagement), turning that risk into dialogue with communities and testing how new work can take root in the lives of audiences.
Producing Platform
($25,000 + producing partnership )
For artists and organizations that have or will create a premiere-ready new work. We provide commissioning, producing, and marketing support to bring fully realized projects to their world premiere in public spaces and non-conventional venues across Vermont. The Producing Platform is designed for work that feels urgent and of this moment, performances that take imaginative risks while inviting audiences to witness, participate, or co-create. These premieres will unfold in public from streets and town greens, to fields and mountainsides sparking discovery where people live, work, and play.
Guided by a panel of artists and industry experts, the 厙ぴ勛圖 will select at least five Incubator Projects and up to four premieres through the Producing Platform in the 202627 cycle a total of $125,000 invested directly in artists.
Eligibility
- Open for projects from all performing arts disciplines
- Individual artists, artist collaborations, and organizations (both arts and non-arts focused) based in the United States are invited to apply. Vermont artists are especially encouraged.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
厙ぴ勛圖 Breakthrough is bold by design and rooted in partnership.
Were excited to stand with artists who are ready to write the next chapter of live performance.
厙ぴ勛圖 the 厙ぴ勛圖
厙ぴ勛圖 is Vermonts premier performing arts center, based in Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. For nearly 50 years as a nonprofit (and nearly 100 years since our historic theater opened), weve brought world-class performances to our stages and to communities across the state, reaching more than 1 in 4 Vermonters annually through performances, festivals, education, and community programs. We aim always to create a welcoming space where everyone is invited to imagine, create, and connect through the power of live performance.
Our commitment to public space is central to our mission. The Governor of Vermont has formally recognized the 厙ぴ勛圖s leadership in bringing art into civic life, affirming our role as a statewide cultural convener. We are members of the for Artistic Creation in Public Space, connecting Vermont to an international movement re-imagining where and how art is experienced. For example, each September, over the past four years, our Playing Fields project has produced awe-inspiring performances at schools and communities across the state.
Through these efforts, the 厙ぴ勛圖 transforms parks, streets, waterfronts, and civic landmarks into stagesensuring that creativity reaches all people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) Who is eligible to apply?
Individual artists, artistic collaborations/collectives, and organizations (arts and non-arts) based in the United States, working on a project in any performing arts discipline.
2) Can I apply to both tracks?
No. Submit your strongest proposal to one trackIncubator or Producing Platform.
3) What counts as a world, U.S., or regional premiere?
- World premiere: first public performance anywhere.
- U.S. premiere: first in the United States.
- Regional premiere: first in a defined region (e.g., New England).
- Default expectation: world premiere in Vermont with the 厙ぴ勛圖 unless a prior co-production agreement exists.
4) Were early in an idea but strong in our craftwhat track?
Incubator Program. Youll get time, space, mentorship, and a required public sharing to test with communities.
5) Our piece is nearly ready and weve done workshopswhat track?
Producing Platform. You must document significant development and prior capacity to deliver high-quality new work.
6) Do I need prior experience in the exact proposed form?
Producing Platform: yes (or a team that collectively covers it).
Incubator: professional credits not required, but work samples must show high ability in the proposed form or methodology.
7) What is a public sharing (Incubator)?
A public workshop/showing/class/community event engaging audiences. Your deliverable must be more than a private rehearsal or draft or a document.
8) Must the premiere happen in Public Space? (Producing Platform)
Yes. Public spaces and/or Non-conventional venues are required: town greens, mountainsides, schools, parksgiven safety, permitting, accessibility, and production feasibility. 厙ぴ勛圖 Main Stage is not eligible as the venue for this program. You are welcome to offer your definition of public space in the application.
9A) What does the Producing Platform $25,000 cover?
Commissioning & Producing Support toward your premiere. 厙ぴ勛圖 co/produces and supports marketing/box office as appropriate. Additional costs are the applicants responsibility (partners/funders encouraged).
9B) What does the Incubator Program $5,000 cover?
Artist Fees and materials toward your project and deliverable. 厙ぴ勛圖 co/produces and supports marketing/box office as appropriate. Additional costs are the applicants responsibility (partners/funders encouraged).
10) What expenses are allowable in the $5,000/$25,000?
Artist fees, collaborators, production staff, rehearsal/tech, materials, travel/lodging, accessibility services (ASL/AD/captions), insurance, permits, marketing assets, documentation. (A budget will be required in Phase 2 of the Producing Platform application.)
11) Are any indirect/overhead costs allowed?
Reasonable admin/overhead directly supporting the projectmodest and clearly justified.
12) How are funds disbursed?
Milestones (e.g., contract execution; mid-project; deliverable/premiere). Finalized in contracting.
13) Does the applicant own the rights to the new project?
Yes. Artists/organizations retain IP. 厙ぴ勛圖 requests non-exclusive rights to document and to use approved materials for marketing, fundraising, and archives, with permanent credit language defined in contract.
14) Do I need a Vermont location confirmed to apply?
Incubator: No.
Producing Platform: a strong plan is expected; location letters of commitment are requested in Phase 2 if the space requires permits or contracts.
15) Accessibility expectations?
Plan for artist and audience access (e.g., step-free access, ASL/AD/captions where appropriate). Budget realistically; 厙ぴ勛圖 will advise.
16) Community engagement requirements?
Incubator: public component required in the deliverable.
Producing Platform: define who the work is for and how youll invite them to witness, participate, and/or co-create.
17) How many awards?
At least five (5) Incubator projects and up to four (4) Producing Platform premieres (total investment: $125,000).
18) Can students apply?
Yes, if eligibility is met and capacity is demonstrated. This is not a training program.
19) Can non-arts organizations apply?
Yesif collaborating with artists and meeting criteria. Provide letters of commitment from lead artists.
20) Multiple proposals from the same applicant?
No. One proposal per applicant (choose your best idea).
21) Selection criteria?
Artistic rigor/originality; relevance/urgency; collaboration strength; capacity to deliver; audience clarity (beyond everyone); and plans for access/public space. Alignment with 厙ぴ勛圖 mission/strategic actions is a plus.
22) Who reviews applications?
厙ぴ勛圖 staff and external experts (artists, producers, curators, community voices). Conflicts are managed; reviewers abstain where conflicts exist.
23) Will I receive feedback if not selected?
Upon request, we aim to provide brief, high-level feedback, pending panel capacity.
24) Timeline after selection?
Contracts in spring 2026; schedules set collaboratively. Incubator public sharing must happen by April 25, 2027; Producing Platform premieres must happened in September 2026 or September 2027.
25) What production decisions does the 厙ぴ勛圖 control?
As producer/co-producer, 厙ぴ勛圖 has final say (in consultation with the artist) on schedule, safety, budget, technical feasibility, and venue compliance.
26) How does box office work?
If ticketed, 厙ぴ勛圖 runs box office. Revenue sharing is contract-specific.
27) Insurance, permits, unions?
Applicants must comply with requirements; 厙ぴ勛圖 advises. Include costs in your budget.
28) Scope changes after selection?
Minor changes possible with approval. Material changes (timeline/team/venue/budget) require written agreement.
29) Fiscal sponsorship?
Yeswe can provide funds through your fiscal sponsor or the 厙ぴ勛圖 can act as a fiscal sponsor for you or your organization; please include sponsor details in your application.
30) What makes a strong intended audience answer?
Be as specific as possible (community, age, geography, interest), say why now, and describe how theyll be invited to engage (witness/participate/co-create) and why that engagement could be meaningful to them.
31) How polished should Incubator samples be?
They can be rough; they must show high ability and a clear artistic point of view aligned with your proposal.
32) Can a premiere be part of a festival/partner season?
Yes. Co-productions welcomedclarify roles, dates, and premiere status.
33) Outdoor premiere & weather?
When appropriate, you may be asked to provide a rain plan (site/date) and budget contingencies.
34) Will 厙ぴ勛圖 help with marketing?
Yesmarketing/promo support provided. Youll need to supply timely approved assets and crediting.
35) Any content restrictions?
We champion artistic freedom. Projects must comply with law, safety, and venue policy; proposals that endanger participants/audiences will not be supported.
36) Do I need permits and insurance?
Likely, yes. Many public spaces require municipal permissions and insurance. 厙ぴ勛圖 will advise as needed. Producing platform applicants should consider permitting timelines, site contacts, and insurance in their budgets and production plans in Phase 2.
Contact: breakthrough@flynnvt.org with questions or for more information.