By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
SNF-Parkway Theatre is inviting Baltimore artists to apply to their inaugural artists residency program, designed to support career development while strengthening the theater’s capacity for presenting live acts. Three live artist projects will be supported and presented in the Parkway’s historic theater and public spaces in 2026. Applications close Feb. 20.
The three residencies include theatrical performance, spoken word and live music. Artists chosen for the residency program will have access to a $6,000 stipend and an opportunity to earn a percentage of ticket sales as well as other resources from Parkway staff.
How to apply
Interested artists must create or update their Baker Artists Portfolio and submit a 1-2 page pdf with a project description as well as a budget for the project. Artists can submit to the SNF Parkway Artist Residency Call on the Baker Artist Portfolios website.
Review Process
Nancy Proctor, executive director of SNF Parkway Theatre, said the residency is unique in that it is a collaborative process as the space undergoes renovations to create a performing arts venue, which will be completed in time for residents.
“We’re looking for partnership and flexibility as we together develop both the platform and the performance that the artists want to present,” said Proctor.
Artists will be selected by a jury composed of three regional or local live arts professionals with expertise in music, theatre, comedy, and spoken word. The process will be coordinated by Baker Artist Portfolios staff. In addition to the submitted project description, jurors will review the work samples and biography from the applicant’s Baker Artist Portfolio.
Alix Fenhagen, the program manager at Baker Artist Portfolios described what jurors will be considering as they browse applications.
“They’re reviewing based on assessing artistic quality, clarity of vision and the potential for this to be a dynamic experience within the space,” said Fenhagen.
Q Ragsdale, an immersive media artist and director of marketing at SNF Parkway Theatre, said he encourages anyone in the live arts space that is interested to apply, not only to learn about themselves and the process, but to potentially continue a relationship with SNF Parkway outside of the residency program.
“We are also looking for live arts beyond this residency. So we’re excited to meet artists that we might decide to develop a relationship with outside or beyond the residency,” said Ragsdale. “We’re really also excited to just see who’s interested in collaborating with us.”