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Open Call: Houston Is Inspired
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts invites performing artists and organizations from the Greater Houston area to submit proposals for Houston Is Inspired – a new series of short-term residencies to amplify work by local artists.
Building on the Hobby Center’s mission to serve as a connector, convenor, and incubator, this program leverages the Hobby Center’s technical, administrative, and marketing resources and staff to help extend celebrated Houston artists and organizations’ existing capacities, amplify their work and build a stronger artist community. The resulting performances bring audiences and artists together through experiences that center connection and community.
With extended advanced infrastructure support from the Hobby Center team, three select artists or organizations will each participate in a week-long residency in the Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall with access to resources including expert production and technical support, marketing investment and a residency stipend. Each artist residency will culminate in a public performance at Zilkha Hall, presented by the Hobby Center as part of its annual season.
Through the Houston Is Inspired concept, the Hobby Center is committed to supporting local artists, providing Houston audiences with new artistic experiences, and strengthening Houston’s arts ecosystem.
Program Components
In partnership with the Hobby Center, selected projects will receive:
-Five days of full access to Zilkha Hall, including stage, dressing rooms, technical equipment, and production staff for rehearsals, tech and final performance.
-Stipend of $20,000 to support the creation and development of the performance.
-Marketing investment from the Hobby Center and project-specific promotional plan created and executed in partnership with artist/organization.
-Professional photography of performance.
-Box office support and 30 complimentary tickets for the performance.
-Community engagement and/or educational opportunities that best align with presentation.
-Approximately a 90 to120-minute ticketed performance at Zilkha Hall to culminate the week-long residency.
Each week-long residency is valued at over $60,000 in support of the project.
Timeline
April 4, 2025 – Application window opens
June 1, 2025 – Application window closes
July 2025 – Three selected projects notified
August – 2025-2026 Houston Is Inspired season public announcement
November 7, 2025; January 30, 2026; May 1, 2026 – Houston Is Inspired performances in Zilkha Hall
Selection Criteria
To apply, applicants must:
-Be a Houston-based performing artist(s) or organization(s).
-Define how the Houston Is Inspired residency will deepen their artistry, further their creative work, and celebrate any specific milestone for the artists or the city of Houston.
-Demonstrate readiness to present a 90–120-minute performance in Zilkha Hall.
-Commit to spreading the word via all their communication channels and audiences.
-Be available to fully participate in one of the selected residency weeks slated for 1) November 3 – 7, 2025; 2) January 26 – 30, 2026; or 3) April 27 – May 1, 2026.
Submission Guidelines
-Proposals must include a description of the performance, a biography of the artists and/or organization, and a link to previous performances. Multi-disciplinary projects and collaborations are welcome.
-Proposals must define how the Houston Is Inspired residency will deepen their artistry, further their creative work and celebrate any specific milestone. The Hobby Center is committed to selecting artists who will benefit from this week-long residency by demonstrating an opportunity for growth, highlighting an underrepresented organization, showcasing a unique art form, collaboration or innovative project, or celebrating an artistic milestone.
Selection Process
Applications ranging from all performing arts disciplines will be evaluated by a panel of local arts community members and Hobby Center staff. Using the selection criteria, the panel will assess the applicant’s artistry and how the residency will further their creative work.
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