The Convergence Cohort was created in 2024 as a response to the need by emerging artistic producers to cultivate their artistic visions, develop their works, and bring their creations to life. As the funding landscape continues to shift, it is even more important to grow our capacity as a community by sharing resources and producing the works that contribute to the city’s cultural and creative vibrancy.

We are accepting applications for the next Convergence Cohort — a transformative mentorship and learning program designed to empower equity-deserving artists to produce their work independently, lead with vision, and harness emerging technologies in their artistic practice.

WHO WE ARE

re:Naissance is made up of a small team of producing artists, and over the past eight years we have been developing new processes to conceptualize, develop, fund and produce new works. This open call is an opportunity for us to connect with you and your work, and to discover how our processes and support can be impactful to your artistic practice.

WHAT WE WILL OFFER

The Convergence Cohort is an artist-centered program that bridges the gap between artistic vision and production reality. Through the cohort, participants will engage in:

- Ten comprehensive learning modules covering artistic visioning, production planning and dramaturgy, values-based policy building, digital innovation and strategic fundraising.

- 1:1 mentorship sessions tailored to each participants unique artistic goals and challenges

- Hands-on training in emerging technologies to expand creative possibilities and address production resource gaps

- The opportunity to perform at IndieFest's Opening Gathering, connect with peers in the festival, and inspire the next cohort.

This is an opportunity to work in collaboration with fellow emerging producers, mentors, and our team to build real production capacity. We want to share knowledge and skills so you can leave the cohort with the tools and experience to produce on your own terms. Through peer-to-peer learning, lateral resource-sharing, and hands-on collaboration across all aspects of production, you'll develop the artistic autonomy to bring your creative visions to life. You will be paid for your time.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS

Our foremost values are: Joy, Abundance and Community First. We believe that more is more, and the Convergence Cohort call aspires to expand the artists we connect and empower with the tools and processes that have allowed us to produce new works.

We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC artists, women and non-binary folks, persons living with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and others whose voices contribute to the further diversification of the arts sector. This is a dedicated space for QTBIPOC artists.

Share your work anytime before January 19, 2026.