Organizer Information
The Seattle International Dance Festival (SIDF) is a Seattle-based dance festival that presents contemporary dance and supports the development of local and international dance artists. Its James Ray Residency and Touring Project (JRRTP) is designed to strengthen Seattle’s contemporary dance ecology by giving artists resources to develop artistic work while also building sustainable business, fundraising, touring, and audience-development practices.
Title & Description
James Ray Residency and Touring Project (JRRTP) 2027
The James Ray Residency and Touring Project (JRRTP) 2027 invites Seattle-area contemporary dance artists and companies to participate in a residency combining artistic development with professional and organizational support. The program will select four artists/companies—two emerging and two established—to develop their work, improve business and operational systems, and prepare for future touring and performance opportunities.
Each selected participant receives free rehearsal space, individualized business/operations consulting, financial and touring support, and a fully produced and paid performance at the Seattle International Dance Festival in June 2027. The program also includes cohort meetings designed to encourage peer exchange and collaboration.
Categories
- Dance
- Contemporary Dance
- Choreography
- Performing Arts
- Performance
Eligibility
The opportunity is open to Seattle-area contemporary dance artists and companies that live or work in King County, Washington and can participate in the required cohort meetings and June 2027 performance.
Applicants are considered in two categories:
Emerging Artists/Companies
- Less than 5 years of professional dance presentation experience
- 0–2 years of grant-writing and fundraising experience
- No or minimal audience-tracking experience
Established Artists/Companies
- At least 5 years of professional dance presentation/performance experience
- 3–5 years of grant-writing and fundraising experience
- Basic audience-tracking experience
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in developing choreographic work, strengthening the business side of dance-making, and actively engaging with the residency's resources and peer cohort.
Program Benefits & Awards
Four selected artists/companies will receive:
- Up to 50 hours of free rehearsal space
- Up to 12 hours of one-on-one business/operations consulting
- Financial and touring-development support
- A fully produced and paid performance at SIDF
- One evening performance at the Erickson Theatre in Capitol Hill, Seattle, in June 2027
- Opportunities for peer exchange through cohort meetings
- Support for fundraising, operations, marketing, audience development, and touring
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 October 2026
- Notification Date: 15 November 2026
- Residency period begins: 1 January 2027
- Performance at Seattle International Dance Festival: June 2027
Location
Seattle, Washington, United States
Additional Details
The program will select two emerging and two established contemporary dance artists/companies. Selected participants are expected to make extensive use of the residency resources, attend two in-person cohort meetings in Seattle and two virtual meetings, and perform at SIDF in June 2027.
Previous JRRTP participants include Degenerate Art Ensemble, Project Convergence, Karin Stevens Dance, Vania C. Bynum, Petra Zanki, Cameo Lethem, Slowburn Dance, and Mary Sigward + Artists.