Deadline: December 8, 2025
Applications should be compiled and submitted as a single PDF document and sent via email to theatre_dance@uwyo.edu with “Application for 2026-2027 Excellence Artist Fund Residency” in the subject line.
The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Wyoming invites proposals for the 2026-2027 Excellence Artist Fund Residency - Innovation in the Arts. This prestigious residency is designed to support visiting creative artists, writers, and/or scholarly programs in the development and presentation of innovative new work at the University of Wyoming, while fostering meaningful engagement with both our campus and the broader Laramie community.
Through this residency, the Department of Theatre & Dance aims to award between one and three artists, artistic groups, and/or companies with funding ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, supporting both the creative process and community-centered practices integral to the artist’s residency.
Residency Period
The residency will take place over a two to four week period during the University of Wyoming’s 2026-2027 academic year. Specific dates will be determined in collaboration with the selected artist(s) to best align with the university’s calendar and the needs of the proposed project.
Residency Requirements
All recipients of the 26/27 Excellence Artist Fund Residency are expected to actively engage in the following activities throughout the duration of their residency:
• Engagement with University of Wyoming students through workshops, lectures, class visits, or other interactive opportunities.
• Engagement with the broader Laramie and Wyoming communities, fostering connections beyond the university setting.
• On-campus presence during the development of the proposed work is required for the term of the residency.
• Collaboration with The Neltje Center for Excellence and Creativity in the Arts in a meaningful capacity. This might include a public presentation, workshop, or dedicated development time.
• The residency must culminate in a public presentation, performance, exhibition, or other form of sharing the completed or in-progress work with the university and/or wider community.
Eligibility Criteria
Creative artists, writers, and scholars of all backgrounds, geographies, and levels of experience are encouraged to submit a proposal.
Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
• Artistic merit and originality of the proposed work
• Feasibility of the project within the scope and duration of the residency
• Potential for meaningful engagement with University of Wyoming students and the broader Laramie community
Priority will be given to proposals that:
• Demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach that incorporates the disciplines within Theatre & Dance
• Thoughtfully incorporate the theme of Innovation in the Arts
Submission Requirements
Round 1 – Preliminary Application
As the first step in the application process, artists must submit the following materials, compiled into a single PDF document, via email to theatre_dance@uwyo.edu with “Application for 2026-2027
Excellence Artist Fund Residency” in the subject line.
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Resume/Company Website
2. Artist Statement (This is where applicants can include any publicity and/or reviews
relevant to their proposed project)
3. Project Proposal, including:
a. A detailed (1-3 page) description of the process to be utilized and the project to be
developed during the residency, including how the work will incorporate the theme of
Innovation in the Arts.
b. A clear explanation of how the project intends to utilize an interdisciplinary approach.
c. A description of how the project will be shared publicly at the conclusion of the
residency (e.g., performance, exhibition, workshop, lecture, etc).
4. Residency Activity Proposal, including:
a. An engagement plan outlining how you will interact with students at the University of Wyoming’s Theatre & Dance Department and how your project supports the department’s vision and mission (e.g., class visits, workshops, talks, etc).
b. An engagement plan for connecting with the greater Laramie and Wyoming communities (e.g., public events, community workshops, etc).
c. A description of how you envision collaborating with The Neltje Center for Excellence and Creativity in the Arts (e.g., public showings, workshops, creative development, etc). You can learne more about the Neltje Center here - https://www.uwyo.edu/as/neltje-center/
5. Portfolio/Website Link: A minimum of five work samples that best represent your artistic practice and demonstrate relevance to the proposed project. Work samples may include images, videos, audio files, and/or writing samples.
6. Preliminary Budget Estimate
a. Budgets must fall within the range of $50,000 to $150,000.
b. Budgets should account for all expenses, including fees for participating artists/collaborators, travel, accommodations, materials, and production costs.
7. Proposed Project Timeline
a. A detailed estimated timeline outlining the project’s development and residency activities, including research and development work planned to be done in preparation before the start of the residency, potentially in collaboration with The University of Wyoming students and staff.
b. Please note that the required two to four week residency period may be scheduled flexibly and does not need to be consecutive.
Round 2 – Final Application (By Invitation Only)
Applicants selected to advance to Round 2 will be asked to submit the following additional materials:
1. Online Interview - Finalists will be invited to participate in an online interview with the
selection panel prior to final decisions being made.
Submission Timeline
Round 1 – Preliminary Application
Deadline: December 8, 2025
Applications should be emailed as a single PDF document to theatre_dance@uwyo.edu with
“Application for 2026-2027 Excellence Artist Fund Residency” in the subject line.
Round 2 – Zoom Interview (By Invitation Only)
Notification: Applicants selected to advance to Round 2 will be notified by February 2026.
Decisions and Applicant Notifications
All applicants will be notified of their status by March 2026.
Public Announcement
Final decisions will be made and announced after contracts and agreements have been made
The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Wyoming invites proposals for the 2026-2027 Excellence Artist Fund Residency - Innovation in the Arts. This prestigious residency is designed to support visiting creative artists, writers, and/or scholarly programs in the development and presentation of innovative new work at the University of Wyoming, while fostering meaningful engagement with both our campus and the broader Laramie community.
Through this residency, the Department of Theatre & Dance aims to award between one and three artists, artistic groups, and/or companies with funding ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, supporting both the creative process and community-centered practices integral to the artist’s residency.
Residency Period
The residency will take place over a two to four week period during the University of Wyoming’s 2026-2027 academic year. Specific dates will be determined in collaboration with the selected artist(s) to best align with the university’s calendar and the needs of the proposed project.
Residency Requirements
All recipients of the 26/27 Excellence Artist Fund Residency are expected to actively engage in the following activities throughout the duration of their residency:
• Engagement with University of Wyoming students through workshops, lectures, class visits, or other interactive opportunities.
• Engagement with the broader Laramie and Wyoming communities, fostering connections beyond the university setting.
• On-campus presence during the development of the proposed work is required for the term of the residency.
• Collaboration with The Neltje Center for Excellence and Creativity in the Arts in a meaningful capacity. This might include a public presentation, workshop, or dedicated development time.
• The residency must culminate in a public presentation, performance, exhibition, or other form of sharing the completed or in-progress work with the university and/or wider community.
Eligibility Criteria
Creative artists, writers, and scholars of all backgrounds, geographies, and levels of experience are encouraged to submit a proposal.
Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
• Artistic merit and originality of the proposed work
• Feasibility of the project within the scope and duration of the residency
• Potential for meaningful engagement with University of Wyoming students and the broader Laramie community
Priority will be given to proposals that:
• Demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach that incorporates the disciplines within Theatre & Dance
• Thoughtfully incorporate the theme of Innovation in the Arts
Submission Requirements
Round 1 – Preliminary Application
As the first step in the application process, artists must submit the following materials, compiled into a single PDF document, via email to theatre_dance@uwyo.edu with “Application for 2026-2027
Excellence Artist Fund Residency” in the subject line.
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Resume/Company Website
2. Artist Statement (This is where applicants can include any publicity and/or reviews
relevant to their proposed project)
3. Project Proposal, including:
a. A detailed (1-3 page) description of the process to be utilized and the project to be
developed during the residency, including how the work will incorporate the theme of
Innovation in the Arts.
b. A clear explanation of how the project intends to utilize an interdisciplinary approach.
c. A description of how the project will be shared publicly at the conclusion of the
residency (e.g., performance, exhibition, workshop, lecture, etc).
4. Residency Activity Proposal, including:
a. An engagement plan outlining how you will interact with students at the University of Wyoming’s Theatre & Dance Department and how your project supports the department’s vision and mission (e.g., class visits, workshops, talks, etc).
b. An engagement plan for connecting with the greater Laramie and Wyoming communities (e.g., public events, community workshops, etc).
c. A description of how you envision collaborating with The Neltje Center for Excellence and Creativity in the Arts (e.g., public showings, workshops, creative development, etc). You can learne more about the Neltje Center here - https://www.uwyo.edu/as/neltje-center/
5. Portfolio/Website Link: A minimum of five work samples that best represent your artistic practice and demonstrate relevance to the proposed project. Work samples may include images, videos, audio files, and/or writing samples.
6. Preliminary Budget Estimate
a. Budgets must fall within the range of $50,000 to $150,000.
b. Budgets should account for all expenses, including fees for participating artists/collaborators, travel, accommodations, materials, and production costs.
7. Proposed Project Timeline
a. A detailed estimated timeline outlining the project’s development and residency activities, including research and development work planned to be done in preparation before the start of the residency, potentially in collaboration with The University of Wyoming students and staff.
b. Please note that the required two to four week residency period may be scheduled flexibly and does not need to be consecutive.
Round 2 – Final Application (By Invitation Only)
Applicants selected to advance to Round 2 will be asked to submit the following additional materials:
1. Online Interview - Finalists will be invited to participate in an online interview with the
selection panel prior to final decisions being made.
Submission Timeline
Round 1 – Preliminary Application
Deadline: December 8, 2025
Applications should be emailed as a single PDF document to theatre_dance@uwyo.edu with
“Application for 2026-2027 Excellence Artist Fund Residency” in the subject line.
Round 2 – Zoom Interview (By Invitation Only)
Notification: Applicants selected to advance to Round 2 will be notified by February 2026.
Decisions and Applicant Notifications
All applicants will be notified of their status by March 2026.
Public Announcement
Final decisions will be made and announced after contracts and agreements have been made