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APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Open Stage 2026

Indy Movement Arts is so thrilled to announce Open Stage, a new opportunity for local dance makers made possible by the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.  Through Open Stage, we will produce new and experimental work by local dance makers in our home at the Basile Opera Center.  Through this program, selected artists will not have to pay a dime in venue rental fees, will receive a $250 stipend, and keep 100% of ticket proceeds. 

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What you need to know.

Please take a moment to read through all of the details below before beginning the application process. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lauren Curry at admin@indymovementarts.org. 

Venue Fees

Selected artists will have a tech rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and two performances but will not be charged any venue rental fees. 

Stipend

Selected artists will receive a $250 stipend upon selection, to help defray the cost of securing rehearsal space and other rehearsal expenses. If ticket sales are less than $250, Indy Movement Arts will supplement ticket earnings to guarantee an artist income of at least $500. The performance venue at The Basile Opera center can seat 100-150 audience members, depending on how the space is arranged. Ticket prices will be set by the selected artists, with input from Indy Movement Arts. 

Artist Development

Open Stage is an artist development program as well as a presenting program. If artists need advice on aspects of their creative life, grant writing, budgeting, promotion, etc., Indy Movement Arts staff will provide guidance

Promotion

Indy Movement Arts will promote the selected artists and their performances on our webpage, social media accounts, and with physical flyers. Indy Movement Arts will cover the cost of printing 50 flyers and 100 postcards for the selected artists to distribute. 

Production & Documentation

Selected artists will present their work in the Performance Hall at The Basile Opera Center. Because the Performance Hall is not a traditional theater, our partner, Indy Convergence, will provide theatrical lighting or other production elements if possible. Artists with a strong production vision are encouraged to get in touch with Indy Movement Arts staff before applying. The Performance Hall offers flexibility but also presents some limitations.  Artists will receive archival video of their performance.​

Performance Dates

Selected artists are responsible for their own casting, rehearsals, and costumes. Indy Movement Arts will present 3 Open Stage artists over the course of 2026, one for each date range below. The performing cast must be available for one of these date ranges: 

  1. Wednesday, February 18th-Satruday, February 21st

  2. Wednesday, May 13th-Saturday, May 16th

  3. Wednesday, September 30th-Saturday, October 3rd

 

Tech will take place on Wednesday evening. Dress will take place on Thursday evening. The performances will take place on Friday and Saturday evening. ​

2026
Open Stage Application

Applications are now open for Open Stage 2026. The application portal will close on October 1st and selected artists will be notified by Friday, October 17th, 2025. Work samples (video or photographic) may be emailed to Indy Movement Arts at info@indymovementarts.org. 

This application has TWO PARTS.  Please submit answers to the questions below.  Once you have submitted your answers you will be asked, via email, to submit 1 (if video format) or 2 (if photo format) work samples. Applications are due Wednesday, 10/1/25, applicants will be notified by Friday 10/17/25.


Eligibility for Open Stage

  1. Must be a resident of Marion County as of Oct 1st, 2024.

  2. Must be at least 18 years of age

  3. The proposal must incorporate movement; movement-based work preferred

  4. Individuals currently attending college or graduate studies are not eligible

  5. Applicants must be available in person 

  6. Previous Open Stage recipients are eligible to re-apply, however, Open Stage prioritizes artists not previously selected.

  7. Staff, board, or instructors with Indy Movement Arts are not eligible


Guidance for Open Stage

  1. Experimental proposals or proposals that are a departure for the artist are strongly encouraged; Open Stage also strongly encourages proposals from artists working in forms not often presented as “concert dance”, i.e., folkloric or traditional dance, social dance, physically integrated dance, etc

  2. Work samples may be from any time in the artist's creative output, but artists are encouraged to submit work from within the last 3 years.

  3. We acknowledge that written communication is not everyone's strength. However, responding to each component of each question in complete sentences will result in a stronger application.

  4. Because Open Stage has a mentorship component, applicants are encouraged to reflect on their career and/or artistic goals to get the most out of the program.


Indy Movement Arts will be presenting 3 Open Stage performances over the course of 2026. Please indicate below which performance dates are NOT available for you:
Applicants are expected to present work or work-in -progress 15-45min long. If you feel 15 min is a better fit, you may choose a shared show option below. Artists will receive the full $250 stipend, and split ticket revenue with up to 3 artists.
Solo Show (45-60 min)
Shared Show (15-30 min)

Vision

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