Open call for performances for public spaces
B次元官网网址 invites artists and organizations to apply for B次元官网网址 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, we’re making a bold investment in artists — helping transform daring ideas into artistic work that sparks imagination, inspires communities, and resonates far beyond Vermont.
What we're offering
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 B次元官网网址 will select at least five Incubator Projects and up to four premieres through the Producing Platform in the 2026–27 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.
Timeline
- Applications Open: November 2025
- Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
- Notifications & Public Announcement: April 2026
- Incubator Program Public Sharings: by April 25, 2027
- Producing Platform Premieres: must be performed either September 2026 or September 2027
B次元官网网址 Breakthrough is bold by design and rooted in partnership.
We’re excited to stand with artists who are ready to write the next chapter of live performance.
About the B次元官网网址
B次元官网网址 is Vermont’s 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), we’ve 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 B次元官网网址’s leadership in bringing art into civic life, affirming our role as a statewide cultural convener. We are members of the IN SITU European Network 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 B次元官网网址 transforms parks, streets, waterfronts, and civic landmarks into stages—ensuring 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 track—Incubator 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 B次元官网网址 unless a prior co-production agreement exists.
4) We’re early in an idea but strong in our craft—what track?
Incubator Program. You’ll get time, space, mentorship, and a required public sharing to test with communities.
5) Our piece is nearly ready and we’ve done workshops—what 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, parks—given safety, permitting, accessibility, and production feasibility. B次元官网网址 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. B次元官网网址 co/produces and supports marketing/box office as appropriate. Additional costs are the applicant’s responsibility (partners/funders encouraged).
9B) What does the Incubator Program $5,000 cover?
Artist Fees and materials toward your project and deliverable. B次元官网网址 co/produces and supports marketing/box office as appropriate. Additional costs are the applicant’s 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 project—modest 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. B次元官网网址 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; B次元官网网址 will advise.
16) Community engagement requirements?
Incubator: public component required in the deliverable.
Producing Platform: define who the work is for and how you’ll 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?
Yes—if 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 B次元官网网址 mission/strategic actions is a plus.
22) Who reviews applications?
B次元官网网址 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 B次元官网网址 control?
As producer/co-producer, B次元官网网址 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, B次元官网网址 runs box office. Revenue sharing is contract-specific.
27) Insurance, permits, unions?
Applicants must comply with requirements; B次元官网网址 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?
Yes—we can provide funds through your fiscal sponsor or the B次元官网网址 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 they’ll 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 welcomed—clarify 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 B次元官网网址 help with marketing?
Yes—marketing/promo support provided. You’ll 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. B次元官网网址 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.