Frequently Asked Questions
Updated August 2023
I have so many questions! Where to start...
We’ve tried to answer as many of the usual questions we get here, but if you have any additional questions or concerns please email them to us at applications@newharmonyproject.org.
What do you mean by “interrogating the complexity of hope?”
As an organization, we recognize that there is no perseverance without struggle or joy without loss and despair. “Hope” extends far beyond the Google definition, “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Hope doesn’t have to mean that the world is full of sunshine and happiness. In fact, for some people, hope is a call to action, a recognition that we need to work to make the world a better place. We are excited to support writers and artists who are grappling with what hope means to them, and how their work can affect change in the world. We believe that stories have the power to grow and uplift communities, transform hearts and minds, and ultimately change the world, and we are excited to support writers whose work exemplifies that belief.
Do I need to have a specific script I want to work on?
You do not! The 2024 conference is purposely designed to provide flexibility to you as a writer and artist. We’re excited to hear about any thoughts that you might have, but you are free to change your mind at any point during the process. One of the incredible things about New Harmony is the ability to find inspiration in the creative community assembled at the conference.
Is it only residencies? I thought there were workshop opportunities available...
Through our open selection process, we're seeking storytellers who are interested in an artist-centered residency that will provide a creative and nurturing environment, supportive artistic community, and dramaturgical resources in a bucolic setting. These residencies will not include a full developmental workshop with actors and a creative team, but there will be opportunities to hear your work out loud in informal settings.
We do plan to support 1-3 Productions in Residence selected in collaboration with partner organizations outside of the open selection process. These projects will be receiving a full developmental workshop with actors and a creative team, but will be shorter in duration.
IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR MY WORK AT THE CONFERENCE?
While this is primarily an artist residency, we do offer informal salons in the evenings during the conference, where each writer is given an opportunity to share their work with the rest of the conference participants.The sharings serve as an amuse bouche: a chance to share excerpts of work to be read by the student interns or other writers in the conference. Writers are also supported by Team Dramaturgy – a select group of dramaturgs who are chosen based on writers who will be at the conference that offer one-on-one dramaturgy consultations.
WHY DO YOU REQUEST AN ARTIST STATEMENT?
We are so glad you asked! We mean it when we say that we are artist-centered. We want to support you as you work on whatever you want to work on – The New Harmony Project is not driven by products. So we want to know who you are, what you’re excited to explore, and how you might want to spend your time at the conference. And we want to know what you think would best support you in your time with us, so that we can curate our support teams most appropriately.
Should the 10-page sample and the full length representative work be the same script/piece or can they be different?
Up to you! If you have 10 pages of something new you're working on and that piece pairs well with your statement, go for it. We recommend that this is a STRONG draft/sample as the
10-page sample is the primary work that is evaluated until the final round. The representative work should be whatever best represents your voice as a writer.
IS THERE A REQUIRED PAGE LENGTH FOR A FULL-LENGTH SAMPLE?
Not at all. We’d like to see a finished work, and the best example of your work. But we recognize that different genres have different requirements and “full-length” doesn’t always mean the same thing. So share with us something that is complete.
WHAT “ADDITIONAL MATERIALS” SHOULD I CONSIDER UPLOADING?
This could be anything that gives us a fuller sense of who you are and the work you are excited about. Demos for a musical. Bios of collaborators that you’d like to bring with you. A video of a production. An excerpt of a graphic novel you wrote. Something from a completely different field. There’s no requirement here, just an opportunity to give us more information about you.
I HAVE KIDS. HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE?
The New Harmony Project has always believed in the importance of supporting parents who are also artists. If you have children that you’d like to bring with you, we can provide childcare resources at the conference so that your children can come along with you. If leaving your children at home with a childcare provider is a better way for you to work, we can provide some additional resources to support that decision as well.
I have a writing partner. Can we apply together?
Yes! You can set one person as the lead applicant to fill out the main info and can then provide the additional applicant(s) bio/resume, info, etc. in the additional materials section. Please fill out the artistic statement and how you plan to spend your time in New Harmony specifying that you would like to be in residence and working together.
Is there an age range for applicants?
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Do you accept international applicants?
Yes, we happily accept applications from anywhere in the world!
I’m a person of color and I’m worried about my safety and comfort in rural southern indiana
Thank you for pointing out a very real concern about being BIPOC in an area that is predominately white and conservative, this is a reality of the location of New Harmony and something we've been grappling with. For all artists who are accepted, we are very clear about the environment they will be stepping into. As guests in the space, we use our influence to lead by example by only supporting local organizations who believe and agree to our organization values. Obviously, we are not able to promise absolute comfort and safety, and participants have been subject to racist behavior in the community, but NHP is always seeking to improve and actively making sure folks feel safe and supported. Some specific things we are implementing include:
The idea that “no person is an island.” We will intentionally build a company that ensures commonalities in racial and gender identities.
Wearing name tags at all times to help identify participants as a part of our group
Tours around town to specifically identify and introduce participants to safe and welcoming spaces and people
Private, company only workspaces
Intervention and de-escalation training for staff
OCTOBER 2ND?! IT'S SO SOON - ISN'T THERE MORE TIME?
If you're concerned about the timeline and don't think you can get your application in by EOD 10/2 please email applications@newharmonyproject.org to inquire about an extension.