Performance opportunity for NYC-based artists working in experimental performance
Exponential Festival is a month-long January festival dedicated to New York City-based artists working in experimental performance. The festival brings together artists across multiple venues and frames the program through inclusiveness, resource-sharing, mentoring, and support for rigorous, risky work.
Founded in 2016 by Theresa Buchheister, the festival was created to reduce barriers for young artists producing their first shows in New York City. It now operates as a multi-artist, multi-venue platform for experimental performance.
Opportunity Snapshot
What: Exponential Festival Open Call
Who: New York City-based artists working in experimental performance
Where: New York City, USA
Award / Support: Presentation opportunity within a month-long multi-venue festival
Deadline: April 1, 2026
Official Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-jfjaEs8cyg0mOmah7yj_HjWaFyahCCIvlEbjYUi6BtgFjQ/viewform
About the Opportunity
Exponential Festival presents experimental performance in New York City each January through a structure featuring multiple artists and venues. The festival foregrounds inclusiveness, diversity of forms and ideas, and a collective ethos around resource-sharing and mentoring.
The festival was founded to remove barriers for young artists producing their first shows in New York City. Its history is tied to a group of artist-run and independent venues, and its stated mission remains centered on experimental performance practices.
What Is Offered
Selected artists receive:
- Presentation of their work within the Exponential Festival
Who Should Apply
Applicants may include:
- New York City-based artists
- Artists working in experimental performance
Applicants should review the application form for full submission requirements.
Timeline
Deadline: April 1, 2026
Why This Opportunity Matters
Exponential Festival offers a context for presenting experimental performance within a larger network of artists and venues in New York City. For artists working across performance and interdisciplinary practices, it provides a visible entry point into a festival structure built around shared production and exchange.
Apply
Application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-jfjaEs8cyg0mOmah7yj_HjWaFyahCCIvlEbjYUi6BtgFjQ/viewform
Explore More Opportunities
Visit
https://contemporaryperformance.com/opportunities/
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Image: Maria Reads a Book: Higher Eyes on Aricama by Maria Camia at JACK by photographer Jose Maria. Featured: Maria Camia.
