About the Open Call

This is the fifth annual HUPSTATE residency, a collaboration between the Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts and Circus Culture, for individual circus artists based in New York State. The program aims to foster the development of circus arts by providing artists with dedicated time and space for their projects. The residency runs from April 19th-26th, 2026. Saltonstall provides summer residencies and self-directed artist retreats at its 200-acre property outside Ithaca, NY. Circus Culture is Ithaca’s circus school, supporting circus access and opportunities through education, performance, production, and artist support. Accessibility: Both Saltonstall and Circus Culture offer accessible spaces. Saltonstall has an accessible bedroom, kitchen, workspace, and bathroom, as well as guest quarters for a supporting individual. Circus Culture’s space is ADA compliant, and additional accommodations can be requested by artists. Equipment and Studio Access: Saltonstall offers housing and studios suitable for visual artists, photographers, and writers, with some large rooms potentially usable for movement exploration. Circus Culture provides optional shared access to two studio spaces (36x36 ft and 30x24 ft) with 16-18 ft ceilings, equipped with 10 aerial rigging points, floor mats, and various circus props (aerial, cyr, unicycles, juggling). Artists can sign up for studio hours 24 hours in advance. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that align with the offerings: access to nature, quiet reflection, a nurturing circus studio, and nourishing food. Artists should communicate any specific equipment needs in their application.

What is Offered

The residency provides housing for 7 nights/8 days (April 19-26th) with a private room, work space, desk, and private bathroom. It includes access to up to 6 hours per day of shared circus studio time at Circus Culture, pantry staples, local vegetables for breakfast and lunch, and communal dinners provided by a private chef. Travel expenses will be reimbursed up to $100, and local transportation support will be provided for artists without cars, including rides between Saltonstall and Circus Culture, and to/from the bus terminal.

Requirements

Artists must be 21 or older. Applicants must be residents of New York State and/or Native Nations therein, spending at least seven months a year in the state. The opportunity is open to individual circus artists, including designers, dramaturges, choreographers, directors, circademics, writers, photographers, riggers, performers, and teaching artists. Duos are welcome to apply as a single unit if working on the same project, but groups and ensembles are not eligible at this time. Previous applicants are welcome to re-apply.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through Submittable, requiring a free account. Applicants must prepare: basic personal information, a project synopsis (50 words or less), an artist’s statement (400 words or less), a work plan (400 words or less), up to 3 work samples (photo, video, PDF, link), an optional description of limitations, technical requirements, contact information for 2 personal references, and access needs. The selection is made by a jury of NY-based circus professionals, considering the artist statement, work plan, work samples, and limitations for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Decisions are not based on reputation, education, or social media. Questions should be emailed to daia@hupstatecircus.org at least 72 hours before the February 1st deadline.