2023-2024 Base Residency FAQs

These questions and answers are intended to provide detailed context to potential applicants to the Base Residency program. If you have a question that isn’t addressed here, please email us.

What is the selection process for the Base Residency Program?
Through a panel process led by community curators Nia-Amina Minor, Bennyroyce Royon, and Parmida Ziaei, five artists or collectives will receive a two-week residency between February 2024 - July 2024 along with an unrestricted stipend of $2,000. Learn more about the curators here.

What are the selection criteria for the Base Residency Program?
The 2023-2024 Base Residency Program is intended to support artists engaged in experimental or risk-taking work that incorporates multiple disciplines, but must primarily be movement-based. The 2023-2024 curators encourage artists to expand on existing or new ideas and take time to deepen their artistic practice or creative work. Base strongly encourages intersectionally marginalized artists who identify as Disabled, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color), LGBTQ2IA+, and/or low-income to apply.

Do you have any tips for my application?
Please carefully read all instructions and especially make note of the word count parameters and work sample time limits. Narrative responses that go over the word count limit might not be read all the way through. Similarly, the curators will only watch work samples up to the specified time limit. Be as specific as possible in your written responses, so that the panelists have a clear sense of what you want to do and how you will do it. Choose work samples that showcase your artistic vision and best relate to the project you are proposing in your application.

I live outside of Seattle––can I still apply for the Base Residency Program?
Two of the five residency slots are reserved for either solo artists or two-person artistic teams located outside of Washington state, but within the continental USA. Travel and lodging is covered in addition to the residency stipend. Full travel and lodging funding is not included for Washington State artists, but a travel stipend may be requested by Washington State artists who reside outside of the greater Seattle area.

How long is the Base Residency?
The Base Residency is two full-access weeks at Base. Base Residents have round-the-clock access to Base during their residency period.

Can the Base Residency be spread out throughout the calendar year, rather then concentrated in two consecutive weeks?
The Base Residency takes place within pre-determined, two-week windows in the calendar. The program is an immersive, two-week experience; the time may not be redistributed or rescheduled.

Can I use a Base Residency to produce a show?
The Base Residency is intended to support an artist’s immersive work on projects and/or practices and is not designed to stage performances. If you’re interested in self-producing your work at Base, learn about the Base Independent Production program.

What is the Base Residency Entry Point?
The Base Residency Entry Point is an opportunity for the community to interface with Base Resident Artists. There is no set format for the Entry Point; rather it is designed by each Resident according to their needs and wishes. It may take the form of a showing, conversation, open rehearsal or something else entirely. It is mandatory and typically takes place on the last Saturday of the Base Residency.

Can I set the space up however I want?
You have flexibility to set up the space to best suit the needs of your residency. If you make use of Base’s technical equipment—for example if you re-hang and focus the lights during your residency—you must restore the plot and return all technical equipment to where you found them before loading out.

Can a Base Resident install a set or introduce technical or design elements?
Base Residents are free to transform the space during their residency, bringing in props, set pieces or other elements, as long as they restore the space at the conclusion of the residency. Base Residents may also use the Base video projector, sound system and lights as needed.

Can I leave my stuff—including props, set pieces and equipment—at Base during my residency?
Yes, the space is yours for the duration of your residency; there’s no need to strike or pack out your materials until the residency period is over.

Do you provide support beyond time in the space?
We provide a range of in-kind support, including technical orientation and mentoring from the curators.

What is the parking situation at Base?
Base is located within Equinox Studios in Georgetown, with free street parking available on and around 5th Avenue South, River Street and throughout the neighborhood.

I’d like to apply, but I’m not sure if my schedule allows me to commit to any of the dates listed. Can I apply anyway?
We urge you to apply for dates that you know will work for your collaborators. If it’s too early for you to know, be aware that we will issue future Base Residency calls each year.