The Democracy Cycle Grant

The Democracy Cycle Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: World Trade Center Performing Arts Center Inc
Amount: US $60,000
Last Updated: March 01, 2026

Summary

The Democracy Cycle is a five-year initiative by the Perelman Performing Arts Center and Civis Foundation, aimed at commissioning 25 new works across various performing arts disciplines. This project seeks to explore and enhance discussions around democracy, especially in the U.S., by fostering artistic expressions that reflect democratic values and inclusivity. Selected artists will receive significant funding to support the creation and development of their works, contributing to a rich dialogue on democratic ideals.

Overview

Our Mission Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) creates connections: by cultivating bonds between extraordinary artists and communitieswith exemplary performances in active dialogue across the artsin our flexible intimate spaces, inviting conversation, and new relationships Our art and our audiences reflect the dynamic energy of all five boroughs of New York City. We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate creative expression from around the world. The Democracy Cycle Over a 5-year period, The Democracy Cycle – a collaboration between the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) and Civis Foundation (an affiliate of Galvan Initiatives) – will commission and develop a total of 25 new performing arts works across the fields of theater, dance, music, opera, and multi-disciplinary performance that express themes related to the nature and practice of democracy, particularly as it is practiced in the United States. Purpose Our hope is that the commissioned projects will enrich and expand discussion of and participation in democracy – be it in the national, state, regional, or hyperlocal community realm – as it is practiced within the United States and worldwide. The Democracy Cycle project is inspired by the following beliefs: Democratic values are a global expression of humanity’s striving to live with one another with respect and in peace.Democracy, as practiced in the United States, includes a history of founding exclusions. It has been, and must continue to be, the ongoing work of our society to expand upon the ideals of inclusivity embedded in our founding documents.Democracy faces significant perceived and actual threats in the current moment, both domestically and internationally.The Intersection of capitalism and democracy creates both opportunities and tensions.Artists are the beating heart of democratic values because of their ability to imagine new worlds, envision new possibilities, and provoke meaningful discourse across divides. The primary focus of The Democracy Cycle will be on democracy as it is currently being practiced in the United States. However, commissioned projects may include references to democracies worldwide provided they have potential for informing and deepening our understanding of American democracy. Selection Criteria Readers and panelists will consider the following in selecting the commissioned projects: How does the proposed work expand, critique, or celebrate democracy, the practice of democracy, and democratic ideals?How has the artist or artists identified and responded to ideas or themes related to democracy, including core democratic principles and values (ex. political equality, majority rule, minority rights, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, among others.)Does the work demonstrate clear potential for generating meaningful reflection and discourse on democracy as demonstrated by project narrative, samples of prior work, and artistic history of its collaborators. Funding Each selected artist will receive $60,000 in support, consisting of a commission of $30,000 to create the new work as well as an additional $30,000 in support of the work’s development process (research, readings, workshops etc.).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants must:Be generative artists who are currently creating new work in theater, dance, music, opera, or multi-disciplinary performanceHave created, completed, and premiered at least 2 full-length prior works of live performance publicly, as evidenced by their bio, CV and/or work samples Note: Staged readings and/or workshop showings are not premieres.Propose a new live performance work which may be at any stage of development, but may not be planned to premiere before timeline listed on website. Propose a new live performance work which is planned to be completed within timeline listed on website.Be prepared to manage the income-tax implications of accepting a commission from a U.S.-based arts organization. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, this is a national and international open call.International artists who are commissioned should also note that U.S. artist visas are not included in this commission. While a visa is not required to apply, international artists will be responsible for securing a non-immigrant working visa to attend any workshops and performances in the U.S.You can apply as a lead artist only once in each Commissioning open call. If you apply and are not commissioned, you are welcome to apply again in subsequent open calls.

Ineligibility

Remounts of previously completed/premiered works are ineligible.Proposals that lack a live performance element will be deemed ineligible.Proposals are not eligible if:The lead artist is enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting program. Ph.D. candidates need to have completed their course work by the application deadline to be eligibleThe lead artist is under the age of eighteenThe main purpose of the project is the curation or documentation of existing work(s)The proposed work advocates by name for the success or failure of a current partisan candidate for office or a political partyThe lead artist or any of the main collaborators are employees or immediate family of employees of PAC NYC or Galvan Initiatives