The Democracy Cycle 2026 Open Call

About the Open Call

The Democracy Cycle is a joint commissioning program designed to support new works across theater, dance, music, opera, and multi-disciplinary performance that illuminate the promise, practice, imperfection, and opportunity of democracy. The program provides $60,000 in support per awarded project, split between a commission fee and development funds for research, readings, and workshops. This is an international call for generative artists to create works meant for live performance.

What is Offered

Each project receives $60,000: a $30,000 commission fee and $30,000 for development support (research, readings, workshops).

Requirements

Applicants must be generative artists who have created 2 or more completed and presented works, be 18+ years of age, and not be enrolled as a full-time student. Projects must be new performance works meant for live audiences, planned for completion in 2027 or 2028, and not scheduled to premiere before May 1, 2027.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Submittable portal at https://pacnyc.submittable.com/submit. The application requires narrative questions, artist statement, project description, development schedule, budget, work samples, and resume/CV.