CFAs: Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency Program

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay invites local and international artists, curators, programmers, writers, researchers and practitioners across all disciplines in the performing arts to apply for the Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency, taking place in Singapore between April and June 2026.

In its third edition, the Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency is an artist capability development programme by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, supported by the National Arts Council, Singapore.

This fully-funded residency aims to support creative research in contemporary performing arts by providing its residents the time and space for artistic inquiry, experimentation, development, research activities and opportunities for interdisciplinary and transcultural dialogues.

The residency welcomes various manners and methodologies of enquiry, embracing a pluralistic approach towards research that unfolds not only through the written word, but also includes forms of experimentation with the body, performed moments, and other non-traditional systems of knowledge.

The residency is a duration of between one month to three months long and residents will receive a stipend, access to a shared-working space, studios when required, as well as accommodation and international travel to or from Singapore, if from abroad.

Thematic Focus

• This Time: This Time talks about the concept of living in the present moment through a broad and critical scope, whether conceptually addressing this day and age or on a methodological level. It delves into the idea of “the doing” while acknowledging the fleeting nature of time. The theme suggests a sense of urgency and repetition, as if attempting to rectify or make something better with trying again. It alludes to confronting the impermanent and the weight of the past.

Benefits

• A stipend of S$2,000 per month (minimum one month, maximum three months)
• An allowance of up to S$1,000 for research materials or support (subject to approval)
• Shared-working space for all residents
• Studio spaces when required
• Accommodation and international airfare to and from Singapore, if from abroad
• Resources for organising a public programme (to be further discussed with the residency team)
• Consultation with the Selection Panel to support and strengthen the research
• Opportunity to engage with fellow residents for peer feedback and support
• Programming support in the form of research connections, networking, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• The residency is open to local and international artists, curators, programmers, writers, researchers and practitioners who practice in contemporary performing arts, at any stage of their career.
• The residency invites individuals working and researching within any discipline(s) in the performing arts in Singapore and across the world to submit proposals that complement the conceptual lines set by the thematic focus alongside their artistic practice.

Application Requirements

• A short video presentation: Applicants are required to submit a short video presentation (maximum 5 minutes) introducing their practice and providing a summary of their research proposal for the residency. This can be a simple recording made on a smartphone.
• Curriculum Vitae and Biography: The Curriculum Vitae must be saved in PDF format with first and last name of the applicant.
• Portfolio of selected works (web/video links, images etc. must not exceed 12 pages or 5MB if sent as attachment): The Portfolio must be saved in PDF format with first and last name of the applicant.
• Optional: Any other supporting documents which give them a better understanding of your work or research such as reviews, interviews, or references etc., if any or relevant. Supporting documents must not exceed 6 pages.
• The working language of the residency is English, therefore all information in the application form, research proposal, video presentation, curriculum vitae and biography, portfolio and supporting documents must be in English, and translations are required for non-English text.

For more information, visit Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.