Performing Artist in Residence 2025

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Performing Artist in Residence program allows artists and visitors to experience the Garden through a different lens.

2025 RESIDENCY

The theme for the 2025 residency is Natural Connection.

Explore the relationship between humans and nature and their dynamic and sometimes fraught interdependence. Highlight how human actions reshape the environment, while nature’s responses and constant shifts influence human lives, ideas, emotions, and futures. Challenge the audience to think about their role and responsibility within this cycle, examining the human-nature relationship here in Brooklyn or beyond.

One artist will be selected for a residency in 2025. During the residency, the artist will spend time creating work in and inspired by the Garden and the theme, Natural Connection. They will host two public classes, seminars, or activities, then showcase their final work in September 2025.

Residency Support

• Access to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden library and archives
• Research meetings with gardeners and staff
• Access to the Garden, including outside of public hours by arrangement
• Access to BBG’s events and programs
• A shared desk area and Wi-Fi
• Artist stipend of $8,000 plus additional funds for production & performer support

2025 Timeline

• Application deadline: February 28
• Selection: May 1
• Residency: June 1 to September 30
• Final presentation: September 21 & 22

Past Artists in Residence

APPLICATION

Eligibility

• Discipline: Artists interested in the live performance world including (but not limited to) choreographers, dancers, musicians, playwrights, and theater makers.
• Artist must be a resident of New York City. This residency does not provide housing or transportation.
• Artist must respect the plant life and abide by Garden rules. A residency contract will be executed.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an equal opportunity organization and encourages all eligible applicants to apply.

Application Components

1. Portfolio of 3–5 pieces of work
2. Resume
3. Written proposal including:
   • Performance ideas integrating the 2025 theme
   • Public engagement ideas; seminars, classes, etc.
   • Artist’s relation to or interest in botanic subject matter
   • Anticipated needs for residency supplies, equipment, space, and budget
   • Artist statement

Selection

Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of Brooklyn Botanic Garden staff and previous artists in residence.

• Applications and final selection will be based on the following criteria:
  • Integration of the theme into the performance piece
  • The proposal reflects Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s mission and community and is appropriate for all ages.
  • Feasible for Brooklyn Botanic Garden; think about the impact on the grounds and flexibility of the performance in an outdoor environment.
  • Strength of the public engagement proposals; how do you propose to get to know BBG’s community and vice versa?
  • Relationship or interest in botanic subject matter
  • Applicant’s portfolio of work and examples of completed performances
• A final interview will be conducted with the top 3 candidates; the selection will be based on those interviews.
• You will be notified if your proposal is selected as a finalist. No inquiries, please.

Apply