Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay invites local and international artists, curators, programmers, writers, researchers and practitioners across all disciplines in the performing arts to apply for the Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency, taking place in Singapore between April and June 2026. In its third edition, the Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency is an artistic research development programme by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, supported by the National Arts Council, Singapore.
This fully-funded residency aims to support creative research in contemporary performing arts by providing its residents the time and space for artistic inquiry, experimentation, development, research activities and opportunities for interdisciplinary and transcultural dialogues. The residency welcomes various manners and methodologies of enquiry, embracing a pluralistic approach towards research that unfolds not only through the written word, but also includes forms of experimentation with the body, performed moments, and other non-traditional systems of knowledge.
There is no commitment for residents to create a production during or after the residency. Instead, residents will be asked to present at least one public programme of their choosing, developed in conversation with the Esplanade Team.
The residency is a duration of between one month to three months long and residents will receive a stipend, access to a shared-working space, studios when required, as well as accommodation and international travel to or from Singapore, if from abroad.
There will be biennial open calls held for applications to the residency and each edition will revolve around a thematic focus conceived to respond to current critical issues in our society. In 2026, the residency presents the thematic focus This Time.
Residents are chosen through a Selection Panel comprising leading international curators, programmers, academics, artists and managers. They have been appointed based on their thought-provoking practices, dynamic networks with practitioners from a wide variety of disciplines and their invaluable knowledge of the performing arts across Singapore, Asia and beyond. The Selection Panel will also serve as interlocutors in the programme’s development and be available as consultants for all residents.
The Selection Panel of the 2026 Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency are:
Nanako Nakajima, Dance Dramaturg and Associate Professor of Dance Studies at Waseda University, Japan
Ming Wong, Artist, represented Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009 and directed Rhapsody in Yellow: A Lecture-Performance with Two Pianos at Esplanade in 2024
Wu Mali, Artist, writer, and researcher, former Associate Professor at the Graduate Institute of Interdisciplinary Art, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan
Faith Tan, Director, Programming (Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts & International Development), Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Jia Jia Hoon, Deputy Director / Performing Arts (Dance & Traditional Arts), National Arts Council, Singapore
The residency invites individuals working and researching within any discipline(s) in the performing arts in Singapore and across the world to submit proposals that complement the conceptual lines set by the thematic focus alongside their artistic practice.
The Theme: This Time
The third edition of the residency welcomes artistic research projects and inquiries in the contemporary performing arts that confront “this time” through a broad and critical scope, whether conceptually addressing this day and age or on a methodological level.
This Time talks about the concept of the now, living in the present moment. It delves into the idea of “the doing” while acknowledging the fleeting nature of time. The theme suggests a sense of urgency and repetition, as if attempting to rectify or make something better with trying again. It alludes to confronting the impermanent and the weight of the past.
The Residency seeks to support research projects that employ performativity as a lens to examine pertinent issues on a personal or macro level. The dwell time in the residency encourages self-reflexivity and hopes to foster deeper insights and more nuanced understandings of the world, or inform personal or artistic practices.
Before applying for the residency, applicants are asked to keep the following in mind:
Only research proposals will be considered—production and rehearsal proposals will not be accepted.
As a physical space will be granted to conduct research, it is expected that residents will commit to using the space within the residency programme dates.
The residency is self-directed. Residents should be open to dialogues on their research and practice with the residency panel, fellow residents and, where appropriate, the public as well as the artistic community in Singapore.
Residents are expected to conduct a public programme related to their research (such as talks, workshops, etc)
Research content or artistic form has to be contemporary and related to the performing arts.
Support available per project:
A stipend of S$2,000 per month (minimum one month, maximum three months)
An allowance of up to S$1,000 for research materials or support (subject to approval)
Shared-working space for all residents
Studio spaces when required
Accommodation and international airfare to and from Singapore, if from abroad
Resources for organising a public programme (to be further discussed with the residency team)
Consultation with the Selection Panel to support and strengthen the research
Opportunity to engage with fellow residents for peer feedback and support
Programming support in the form of research connections, networking, etc.
Submission Procedure:
All required documents must be submitted through the online application form by 22 June 2025, Sun (11.59pm, GMT +8). .
Full information on the open call here.
For any questions or feedback, please email: residencies@esplanade.com.