Frequently Asked Questions About Our Artists’ Residency



When is the next residency?
Our 2026 Residency will take place Tuesday, June 16 – Saturday, June 27.
Artists traveling from outside the greater Indianapolis metro area should plan for additional travel days on Monday, June 15 and Sunday, June 28, as the first and last days of the residency are full work days.
We are excited to share that the 2026 Residency will be presented in partnership with The Theatre School at DePaul University!
How does the residency work?
Wait, first, what do you mean by an “interdisciplinary” residency?
Interdisciplinary work is about putting people from different creative worlds into the same room and letting the collisions happen. When artists with different skills, questions, and ways of seeing approach a problem together, familiar patterns fall away, and ideas appear that might never surface alone.
At Indy Convergence, we make that happen on purpose. We curate cohorts of artists from a wide range of disciplines and give them the structure, resources, and support to experiment together. Choreographers might design costumes, dancers pick up drums, painters translate environmental data into visuals—everyone brings their own artistic language, and when those languages mix, surprising things happen.
We welcome artists from all corners of the creative spectrum: visual art, theatre, dance, music, writing, film, puppetry, circus, and more. The residency thrives on this mix. When different approaches collide, old habits shake loose, new pathways appear, and ideas that have been circling in your head for months suddenly feel ready to take shape.
The Convergence is designed around five main program components:
Daily Movement & Check Ins
Every day begins with an all-levels movement class and group check-in, grounding the cohort and setting the tone for the day.
Side Projects
Select artists are invited to develop in-process work. They receive eight hours of nonconsecutive rehearsal time, an interdisciplinary ensemble of creatives curated by our leadership team, and a modest materials budget (determined case by case).
Imagine a playwright developing a new play. Their ensemble might include a dancer, a composer, an actor, and a visual artist. As the Side Project director, they get to decide how to use that talent. Maybe the dancer helps map out movement for a key scene. Maybe the composer devises a short motif that captures the emotional tone of the world. Maybe the visual artist experiments with setting concepts or designs a poster graphic. Or maybe they bring everyone together for a table read and feedback session. The point is to see your work through other trained eyes, discovering possibilities you didn’t know were there. The ensemble is not just support, they’re a lens, a sounding board, and sometimes the key to a door you didn’t know was locked.
While many side projects begin within a single genre, it’s the collaboration with artists from other fields that reveals new possibilities and brings unexpected dimensions to the work.
Umbrella Project
Each year, one of our residency alums is invited to direct a project that brings together the talents of the entire cohort in what we call the Umbrella Project. Think of it as the residency’s collective heartbeat: an inclusive, interdisciplinary piece that everyone shapes. Over 20 hours of rehearsal, every artist contributes, experiments, and discovers how their own practice fits into—and is transformed by—the collective whole.
Workshops
At the Convergence, we believe every artist carries knowledge worth sharing. Each participant leads a workshop in their area of expertise and attends workshops led by their peers. These sessions aren’t optional—they’re a core part of the residency experience. They build a shared vocabulary, offer space to experiment with new techniques, and infuse fresh ideas into your own practice.
Through the program’s workshops, you’re both teacher and learner. Leading one lets you share what you know, explore your craft in a new light, and spark curiosity in your peers. Attending others’ workshops introduces you to ideas, approaches, and techniques you might never have encountered, some of which hopefully ripple directly into your own projects—especially if you have a Side Project in development.
Never taught before? Don’t panic. Our staff will help you shape a workshop that highlights what excites you most about your craft. Past workshops have included everything from Theatre Sustainability and Aerial Dance to Puppetry, Improvisatory Singing, Karate, Dance for Parkinson’s, and Social Media for Nonprofits—demonstrating the wide range of expertise, interests, and creativity our cohort brings to the room.
Open Lab Performance
The Open Lab Performance, held on the final day of the Convergence, is the residency’s culminating showcase. Participants share a portion of the work they’ve been developing, giving it a chance to live and breathe in front of an audience. This informal presentation brings the work into a live setting, where it takes on a clarity and immediacy that rehearsal alone cannot provide.
The Open Lab includes each Side Project and the Umbrella Project, and features the ensembles who helped shape the work. Artists may present a short excerpt, run an open rehearsal, or discuss what’s working—or what’s not working—with the audience. The event highlights how ideas land outside of the studio and informs potential next steps in the project’s evolution.
While basic technical elements are available to support each project, the Open Lab is understood as a work-in-progress rather than a polished performance—a living, breathing snapshot of the residency’s energy and experimentation.
All artists in the residency will:
- Participate in 2-3 Side Projects, helping develop new work
- Contribute to the Umbrella Project (directed by a residency alum)
- Teach an all-levels workshop in their area of expertise
- Participate in workshops taught by fellow cohort members
- Attend morning movement sessions and daily check-ins
- Participate in the Open Lab performance
- Select artists are chosen to lead a Side Project, developing their piece over 8 hours and presenting a portion of their work in progress at the Open Lab.
How can I make the most of the Convergence experience?:
Reciprocity is at the heart of the Convergence. The residency thrives when artists lend their curiosity, care, and artistry to one another’s work—because when you invest in someone else’s process, that same attention and insight often comes back to you. Every workshop question, every experiment in a Side Project, every moment spent listening or riffing with another artist can change the way a piece unfolds—and the way you see your own practice. The residency hums when people show up for one another. It grows in those moments of shared risk, shared energy, and shared discovery. That’s how the work evolves, and how the community does, too.
Who is eligible to apply and how do you select artists?
What we look for in an applicant:
- Professional Status: The Convergence welcomes working artists and creative professionals. A limited number of emerging artists may also be considered based on exceptional potential and readiness to dive into intensive interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Collaboration & Dedication: We look for artists who are curious, dedicated, and ready to contribute to a collaborative environment. Creatives should feel confident in their practice, excited to share their expertise, and open to guiding and supporting others. Reliability, adaptability, and clear communication help everyone thrive in our fast-paced residency. Most importantly, we value artists who help create a positive, inclusive, and mutually supportive cohort culture.
- Growth Mindset: The Convergence is a space for experimentation, risk-taking, and learning through failure and discomfort. We seek artists who are proactive, flexible, and eager to explore new approaches and learn from one another.
- Empathy and Respect for Others: In an interdisciplinary, collaborative setting, listening, responding thoughtfully, and honoring different perspectives and backgrounds are essential.
- Availability & Commitment: Participants need to be present for the full two-week residency and ready to fully engage in workshops, umbrella project rehearsals, all-group activities, and assigned side projects.
- Personal Well-Being: The Convergence is an intensive and interdependent environment, and we expect each participant to care for their own physical, emotional, financial, and psychological well-being throughout the program. We are also deeply committed to access and will provide reasonable accommodations. Because the residency is fast-paced and highly collaborative, we begin access conversations early so we can plan well and make sure all artists are fully supported. If you have access needs or questions about accommodations, please reach out as you consider applying. We’re here to work with you.
- Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Indy Convergence is unable to sponsor work visas at this time.
Our selection process:
Each year, our artistic team thoughtfully curates a cohort of up to 15 artists. Our selection process balances several key factors:
- Artistic Alignment: We look for artists whose vision, approach, and working style complement the collaborative and experimental spirit of the residency.
- Project Needs: Cohorts are shaped to support side and umbrella projects, which vary from year to year and require different combinations of artists. In addition to curating the overall cohort, our team also curates side project ensembles.
- Disciplinary Mix: We intentionally combine a wide range of disciplines—like dance, theatre, visual art, film, writing, puppetry, circus, etc.—to encourage cross-pollination and experimentation across disciplines and practices.
- Experiences & Perspectives: We aim for broad representation across identity, background, and experience, valuing how each artist’s journey enriches the group.
- Distinctive Creativity: The ideas, approaches, and skills each artist brings are central to building a cohort that challenges and inspires one another.
- Local & Visiting Artists: We bring together artists from near and far, fostering the exchange of ideas and perspectives across regions.
What expenses are covered, and is there a cost to attend?
Artist Stipend
All participating artists receive a stipend (2026 min: $1,000) in recognition of the time and energy it takes to step away from daily life and focus on your craft. The stipend is designed to help offset the cost of attendance and reflects our commitment to valuing artists’ creative labor and expertise.
Housing & Travel Support (Visiting Artists Only)
Artists traveling from outside the greater Indianapolis metro area receive housing (a private room in shared housing) and a modest travel stipend to help offset the cost of getting to the city and commuting locally. Visiting artists are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Indianapolis, and within the city once they arrive.
If you live just outside the greater metro area, and are curious if housing and travel support apply to you, please reach out—we can confirm whether these supports might apply to your situation.
Materials Support
A small materials budget is available for workshops and side projects (amount determined case-by-case).
Creative Space & Resources
All artists have access to creative workspace and in-house resources throughout the residency.
Refundable Deposit
There is no cost to attend, but we require a fully refundable $500 deposit upon acceptance to hold your spot. The residency functions as a creative ensemble, and your commitment affects the full cohort. The deposit ensures we can maintain a full group, even if someone needs to withdraw.
Deposits are returned in full at the conclusion of the residency. The only exception would be in the rare event that housing or property is harmed in a way that creates an unexpected cost for the program. We’ve never had to withhold a deposit, and we don’t expect to, but are upfront about the policy so there aren’t any surprises.
We accept deposits via check, PayPal, and Zelle.
Payment Distribution
- Artist Stipend: Paid in two installments. 50% at the end of Week 1, 50% after the residency concludes.
- Travel Stipend (visiting artists only): Distributed at the end of Week 1.
- Deposit: Returned at the close of the residency.
Hardship considerations: We know that taking two weeks away from home, work, or caregiving can be a stretch. We can often adjust the timing of stipend payments to help remove barriers to participation. If you have concerns about financial timing, please reach out!
How do I apply and what’s the process?
Our 2026 residency will take place Tuesday, June 16—Saturday, June 27. Applications open January 15, 2026. Stay in the loop about the Convergence and other opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
We’re updating our 2026 application, but you can Preview 2025 Application Questions Here to get an idea of the questions asked.
We welcome creators from all walks of life, and encourage applications from artists of all races, ages, national origins, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and gender identities.
Application Timeline & Process
1. Application opens
Applications open and residency dates are announced at least six months before the program. Each year’s timing varies based on our season schedule and potential partnerships.
2. Submit materials
Applicants complete our online form and also submit a resume/CV, work sample, and photo.
3. Review & Interviews
Our leadership team reviews all submissions and identifies artists who are a strong fit for the year’s residency. Finalists are invited to virtual conversations with our team to explore how your vision and approach align with the residency’s collaborative and experimental culture.
4. Acceptance notifications
After these conversations, we notify all applicants of their status:
- Accepted with a Side Project
- Accepted as a Contributing Artist
- Waitlisted
- Declined
5. Confirm your spot
Once selected and offered a spot, artists then have two weeks to:
- Sign the residency contract
- Submit the fully refundable deposit
After round one of acceptances, we move to our waitlist.
6. Cohort curation & project planning
Once the full cohort is finalized, our team curates Side Project ensembles. We also schedule one-on-one conversations with each participant to discuss goals, side projects (if applicable), and how to make the most of the residency.
Where does it take place?
Our annual residency is hosted at Indy Convergence.
Indy Convergence
2611 W Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222
We also partner with organizations for on-site residencies in other locations. Please contact us at connect@indyconvergence.org if you’d like to host one!
What does a typical residency schedule look like, and what if I have a conflict?
The residency is fueled by mutual support. You will be helping other artists develop work and creative practices, and they will be helping you. Because of this, we require each artist to be fully available for the entirety of the 2-week residency. Based on previous participants’ experiences, and how often your participation impacts the group, artists should not plan to work remotely during the residency.
The Convergence is intensive, combining workshops, rehearsals, and peer support. Artists are expected to attend all scheduled activities, including: morning movement sessions, daily check-ins, side project rehearsals, umbrella project rehearsals, workshops, and the Open Lab performance.
To view a sample schedule, click the link below. This schedule is provided as an example only, daily activities, timing, and dates vary from year to year.
What if I don’t have a piece I want to develop? (aka a Side Project)
You don’t need to have a Side Project to participate! Many of the artists in the cohort are Contributing Artists, sharing their skills and expertise to help others develop their work while expanding their own creative practice.
Does the residency happen at the same time each year?
The timing of our annual residency varies slightly depending on our creative partners and season schedule. We announce upcoming residencies at least six months in advance.
Do you partner with other organizations or host residencies outside Indianapolis?
Absolutely! We are lucky to have formed meaningful partnerships with organizations like The Theatre School at DePaul University, The daVinci Pursuit, York University, Sa-K-La-K-Wel Community Center, Indy Barter School, and Grove Haus. Our partnerships enrich the residency experience and spark ongoing creative exchange that keeps the program dynamic and engaging.
The Convergence can also be hosted on-location both nationally and abroad. We have crossed borders and held residencies in Toronto, ON, London, ON, and Jacmel, Haiti. These opportunities help us engage with diverse communities and foster cross-cultural dialogue, bringing global perspectives to the creative process.
Whether at home or far away, our partnerships continue to amplify the creative exploration that defines the Convergence.
If you’re interested in partnering with us, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out at connect@indyconvergence.org.
I have other questions. Who can I reach out to?
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’d love to hear from you! Email us at connect@indyconvergence.org


