History
The Artist in Residence (AIR) Program began in 2010 with Circus Syzygy, a mix of local and international artists who collaboratively created and produced full-length shows over two three-month residencies at SANCA. Since that time, SANCA has hosted various artists in residence, including the Seattle-based IMPulse Collective, the nomadic foot juggling Gentile Family, and nationally-renowned contemporary circus company Acrobatic Conundrum. Individual artists and duos such as Faeble Kievman and Rebekah Cavinder, Esther de Monteflores and Ariel Schmidtke have also created new material under the auspices of the program. 

Overview
The AIR Program is designed to provide circus artists space to create and develop new work. Each residency is slightly different; the scope and shape of the residencies are determined by the project’s needs in relation to SANCA’s concurrent programming. Residents work with the AIR Program Coordinator to identify how SANCA’s resources can support the artist’s work. 

Residencies will always include a facility orientation, group rehearsal space, access to individual training time, support for the artist’s creative process and goals, and a community exchange element.

Residencies may include promotional support, space to store equipment, the opportunity to offer public workshops and lessons, and work-in-progress showings.

At this time, residencies never include housing or public, ticketed performances. 

Who should apply?
The AIR Program is intended for circus artists who seek space to develop new or existing work and are excited to contribute to a vibrant, diverse, all-ages circus community.

Please note that the AIR Program prioritizes artists creating ensemble work or full-length shows. Artists looking to develop a solo act are encouraged to contact SANCA to learn more about individual training opportunities.

When is the residency available?

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Residency periods are intended to be finite, from one week to three months.

Where will the residency take place?
SANCA has two facilities, both located in South Seattle: SANCA Georgetown and Emerald City Trapeze Arts. Residencies primarily take place in SANCA Georgetown’s South Annex. The South Annex features a dance floor, mirrors, a sound system, and two rigging beams with eight aerial points on pulleys. See our Facilities page for more information on what SANCA’s space can offer. 

What is expected of participants in the AIR Program?

In exchange for the resources SANCA supplies to artists in residence, we ask AIR participants to engage with the SANCA circus community, and to carry the SANCA name forward as their project advances. 

About 10% of each artist’s residency at SANCA should be dedicated to engaging our community in some way. In effect, for every nine hours of creation time, we expect approximately one hour of “give back” time. Work-in-progress showings, open rehearsals, artist talks, and interviews with the SANCA marketing team count toward this “give back” time. Interest and active participation in giving back to the SANCA community is central to being a SANCA AIR participant. 

SANCA will be considered a sponsor of the project going forward, and promotional material and media must state this information. SANCA will provide logos for physical and electronic materials, including show programs, posters, handbills, etc. 

By giving back to SANCA in these ways, AIR participants help this program grow and create further opportunities for future artists in residence, and in turn foster a more vibrant contemporary circus ecosystem in the PNW and beyond. 

Interested in bringing a project to the SANCA Artist in Residence Program? 

Apply here

If you have any questions, please contact AIR Program Coordinator, Susie Williams susiew@sancaseattle.org

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