Queer Development Program
Joshua Freedman. Queer Development Program Showcase 2024. Photographed by Joseph Mayers
PRESENTED BY PERFORMANCE SPACE AND PACT CENTRE FOR EMERGING ARTISTS
2025 Stephen Cummins Residents: Cheryn Frost and Emma Kew
2025 Queer Development Program Artists: Zev Aviv, Kit Wu Bylett, Jacob Coppedge, Simon Croker, Gabriel Faatau'uu-Satiu, Siobhan Gibbs, David Huggins, Kerith Manderson-Galvin and Natesha Somasundaram
------
ABOUT THE QUEER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Queer Development Program (QDP) is a place to develop your creative skills, performance ideas and industry connections. The program will connect you to an intergenerational community of queer makers and give you the opportunity to present new material to the public as part of the QDP Showcase.
The QDP is a two week-long professional development program focused on practical and creative skills for queer performance making.
In the first week, participants attend workshops led by experienced artist facilitators including EO Gill, Kelly Lovemonster and more, who introduce various methodologies for creating performance in a collaborative environment.
In the second week, participants have the opportunity to share their work in public performances, including technical rehearsals and support from our production, curatorial and producing teams.
The QDP is open to artists from diverse backgrounds and performance disciplines, and some travel support may be made available to artists who live outside greater Sydney.
The details:
- A five-day workshop intensive at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, Erskineville from Monday 28 April - Friday 2 May 2025
- A $700 bursary to support your participation in the program.
- Opportunity to apply for a travel bursary for regional or interstate artists.
- Opportunity to develop a short performance work, including tech and plotting time with our production team from Monday 5 May - Thursday 8 May 2025.
- Opportunity to perform at the QDP Showcase on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 May 2025.
- PACT is wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms.
STEPHEN CUMMINS RESIDENCY
Artists applying to the QDP can also choose to be considered for the Stephen Cummins Residency, an additional two-week supported residency for one artist or collective within the program.
The Stephen Cummins Residency artist will receive an extended residency period at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists prior to the rest of the program, to help them progress a new work. The development process will be supported and facilitated by a mentor nominated by the artist or identified with the support of Performance Space.
The details:
- A two-week-long residency at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, Erskineville from Monday 14 - Sunday 27 April 2025.
- A total budget of up to $5,000 AUD (ex. GST).
- Curatorial support and feedback from Performance Space and PACT staff.
- Up to 20 hours of technical support.
- Mentorship sessions with an experienced queer creative practitioner.
- A facilitated showing and feedback session at the conclusion of the residency.
- Opportunity to participate in all other QDP activities, including workshops and the QDP Showcase on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 May 2025.
---
APPLICATIONS
Applications Close: 11:59PM (AEDT) Thursday 6 Feb 2025,
Applicants Notified: Week of 10 Mar 2025.
This application asks you to provide information about your proposed project which can be submitted via written or video response. Please note that some questions will only appear as you fill out the form based on previous response
This program is for queer-identifying artists. We encourage submissions from First Nations artists, artists of colour, culturally diverse artists, women, trans and gender diverse artists and artists living with disability. Please let us know if you would prefer to apply in a different format or if there is any barrier for you in the submission process. And please note that additional support to assist with access requirements is possible within our programs - get in touch to find out more.
NEED HELP?
For further information and enquiries please contact:
Katie Winten, Head of Programming: katie@performancespace.com.au
We will endeavour to answer your questions within 2 business days.
---
Past Stephen Cummins Residents
2024: Aliyah Knight
Past Workshop Artists
2024: Dax Carnay, Josh Freedman, Fei Gao, Jamie James, Eric Jiang, Kori Miles, Amelia Jean O'Leary, Micah Rustichelli, Catherine Ryan and Charlie Trier
Information surrounding the next residency will be updated here. To stay up to date with all our Artist Development opportunities subscribe to our e-news and our social channels. Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
