Ground Zero Performing Arts Residency Program (Australia)

The program supports artists working in theatre, dance, music, movement, spoken word, drag, physical theatre, experimental, contemporary performance and more, to develop a short work which will be performed in a cabaret-style night alongside 4 other Sydney-based artists with lived experience of disability.

Benefits

• Flexible program structure and supportive team
• Artist fee – $1500 per project
• Stipend – $500 per project for production costs
• Up to $2,000 bursary funding per project on request for access requirements like transport, support people and interpretation
• Up to 10 hours of solo development at City of Sydney Creative Studios (CoSCS)
• 5 days of group rehearsal and tech at East Sydney Community Arts Centre (ESCAC) supported by artists and crew with disability
• Friday and Saturday night accessible performance season at ESCAC
• Brand X will supply production equipment, front of house staff, stage manager, lighting and sound technicians.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications are open to Sydney-based individuals or groups of performance makers who are disabled, d/Deaf, and/or Neurodivergent.
• Ground Zero is for performing artists developing fresh ideas and new approaches to performance.
• Concepts explored in your performance do not have to be about your identity. They encourage artists to explore ideas and approaches that push you as an artist and push your audience.
• Projects must be ready for an audience at the end of rehearsal week. Although performances may be showing your audience a version of your project that will be developed beyond Ground Zero, they expect that audiences experience a show, no ‘showings’ or readings will be considered.
• Applications will be chosen by Brand X and a panel of artists with disability who will consider:
  • How compelling is the artist’s practice?
  • Does the calibre and experience of the artist demonstrate that they have the ability to deliver the project?
  • Does the artist need this opportunity, how important is this opportunity
  • for the artist and their community at this time?
  • Does the artist have an existing market or audience for the realised project?
  • Does the artist take risk in their work – how dangerous are the ideas and how will it stretch artists and audiences alike?
  • The diversity and ecology of artists, projects and communities represented within the overall program.

For more information, visit Brand X.