THE PERFORMANCE PROJECT FELLOWSHIP
Our Emerging Artist Fellows
For more information on this program and The Performance Project @ University Settlement, please email arts@universitysettlement.org.
The Performance Project @ University Settlement Fellowship is a year-long creative career mentorship program. It is specifically designed for local, early emerging artists/cultural organizers (age 18 and over) who want the intensive support needed to build a sustainable career in the creative sector.
Fellows receive sustained mentorship as they develop skills in multiple and interdisciplinary performing arts such as spoken word, music and dance, and theater. Fellows produce new original work to be shown at two points in the residency: the Fellows SHARE! in late spring and Flowfest in early autumn. Both performances are professionally documented so Fellows can build their performance portfolio. The year culminates with each fellow developing a package of materials to support moving their projects and career forward.
Artists who have participated in our Fellowship may also receive Guest Artist rental rates at Speyer Hall, our white box theater.
“The Performance Project Fellowship provided me with a platform, circle of supporters and physical space among other resources to more thoroughly explore my own artistic ideas and endeavors… If what you’re looking for is a springboard to develop yourself and your own blossoming artistic vision, I highly recommend applying to the Fellowship.” -Aliyah Hakim (2016-2017 Fellow)
New for this year, The Performance Project and HERE Arts Center will collaborate to provide additional enrichment for the 2025/26 Fellowship. In addition to The Performance Project’s mentorship and support Fellows will receive three (3) cohort professional development sessions with HERE’s team and invitations to events and dress rehearsals in HERE’s 2025-2026 season.
Learn more about our current Fellows cohort below.
Fellows will receive:
- The opportunity to have work professionally promoted and presented.
- Individualized creative career coaching and career development workshops, whether in person or online.
- Support in developing a resume, bio and performance reel.
- Support in expanding professional networks and selecting opportunities to acquire additional professional credentials.
- Referral to University Settlement services that can provide crucial support, such as housing advocacy, workforce development and individual counseling support.
Fellows commit to:
- Attending a day-long retreat at the beginning and end of the fellowship.
- Participating in career development workshops throughout the year. Meeting monthly as a group, online or in person, to give and receive feedback on artistic progress, challenges and accomplishments.
- Meeting individually with the Program Director every 6 weeks, online or in person.
- Developing a 25-45 minute performance of new work that will be professionally presented as part of The Fellowship Flow Festival.
- Creatively documenting the fellowship program journey through social media, a journal or some other format.
- Fellows must be prepared and committed to fully participating in this fellowship process. Participation in all peer-share meetings and workshops is required.
Meet Our Current Fellows
The Performance Project Fellowship is a year-long creative career mentorship program. It is specifically designed for local, early emerging artists/cultural organizers (between the ages of 18-26) who want the intensive support needed to build a sustainable career in the creative sector.
Caleb Thomas
Caleb Thomas is a 24-year-old queer Mexican-American performance artist from San Diego, California, now based in Brooklyn, New York. Their work is rooted in queer love and explores emotion and perspective...
Isha Tobis Clarke
Isha Tobis Clarke was raised in Oakland, CA where they studied the foundations of street and club dance and learned to use them to tell stories meant to call people to action. Isha is a freelance dancer...
Joel Pipitone
Joel Pipitone (they/them) is a playwright, director, and performer. They were nominated for Best Queer Performer and Best Show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival from Binge Fringe magazine...
Lour Yasin
LOUR (Lour Yasin) is a Palestinian actress, singer, writer, and composer based in New York City. Born in Jerusalem, her work centers marginalized voices, fusing Arab identity with genre-blending music...
Mai'yah Kau
Mai’yah Kau, also known as Maima, The Water Spirit, is an emerging queer Liberian diasporic interdisciplinary artist with roots in Staten Island, NY. Their work weaves together identity, heritage, and spirituality...
Rafael Tillery
Rafael Tillery is a Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based, dancer, choreographer, educator, and interdisciplinary performance artist who works across movement, image, drama, and ancestral memory...