Pictured: Deej Cert, 2023 THREAD Artist
Photography by Eli Eisenstein
Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development (THREAD)
2024 THREAD artist:
Nya Green-Harris (aka Syren)
Nya Green-Harris (she/her) known under the alias “Syren”. is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in music, specifically lyricism. Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she has always had a love for music and performance, and has been involved in various areas of the arts since a young age. While she is young and still learning, she hopes that you will enjoy a front row seat to her growth as an artist both on stage and in the recording booth
See more from THREAD 2023
Resident ArtistDeej Cert
THREAD
Applicatons accepted March 15, 2024 through April 15, 2024 at 11:59PM
THREAD, or Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development, has been established to support the creation, development, production, and presentation of one Norristown-based artist of any discipline. THREAD accepts applications in all creative fields, including but not limited to: THEATRE ARTS, DANCE, VISUAL ARTS, WRITING, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE.
The residency program offers financial resources, space, time, and feedback on new or continuing artist work and provides networking, teaching, and exhibition opportunities. At the same time THREAD raises interest, awareness and understanding of creative arts, and their impact in communities like Norristown.
Residents will be selected by a panel composed of Theatre Horizon’s newly-formed Community Advisory Board. A designated Project Manager and Residency Consultant will steer the selection process to help ensure accessibility and equity.
The selected artist will receive: a stipend; access to Theatre Horizon’s physical and virtual spaces; and Marketing, Fundraising, and/or Artistic consultations from Theatre Horizon staff. The residency will culminate in a public event to showcase the artistic talents that exist within our Norristown community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THREAD aims to strengthen the fibers that bind, bridge, and build the emergence and retention of local talent. We aim to support the overarching objective of making Norristown a leader in our region’s arts ecosystem, making Norristown a destination for prospective artists, and amplifying the work of artists of color from within the Norristown community.
HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES
From conversations with community stakeholders, we have learned there is currently a gap in residency opportunities and professional development for Norristown raised and/or -based artists. Norristown is comprised of 70% Black and Brown people. The intention of THREAD is to create an opportunity for these historically excluded communities and reflect the makeup of Norristown. Therefore, priority will be given to self-identified Black and Latinx residents of Norristown.
For questions and more information, please email our Director of Community Investment at mydera@theatrehorizon.org
For questions and more information, please email our Director of Community Investment at mydera@theatrehorizon.org
Frequently Asked Question
Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development (THREAD)
What is THREAD?
THREAD, or Theatre Horizon Residency for Educational Artistic Development, has been established to support the creation, development, production, and presentation of one Norristown-based artist of any discipline. THREAD accepts applications in all creative fields, including but not limited to: THEATRE ARTS, DANCE, VISUAL ARTS, WRITING, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE.
The residency program offers financial resources, space, time, and feedback on new or continuing artist work and provides networking, teaching, and exhibition opportunities. At the same time THREAD raises interest, awareness and understanding of creative arts, and their impact in communities like Norristown.
Residents will be selected by a panel composed of Theatre Horizon’s newly-formed Community Advisory Board. A designated Project Manager and Residency Consultant will steer the selection process to help ensure accessibility and equity.
The selected artist will receive: a stipend; access to Theatre Horizon’s physical and virtual spaces; and Marketing, Fundraising, and/or Artistic consultations from Theatre Horizon staff. The residency will culminate in a public event to showcase the artistic talents that exist within our Norristown community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THREAD aims to strengthen the fibers that bind, bridge, and build the emergence and retention of local talent. We aim to support the overarching objective of making Norristown a leader in our region’s arts ecosystem, making Norristown a destination for prospective artists, and amplifying the work of artists of color from within the Norristown community.
HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES
From conversations with community stakeholders, we have learned there is currently a gap in residency opportunities and professional development for Norristown raised and/or -based artists. Norristown is comprised of 70% Black and Brown people. The intention of THREAD is to create an opportunity for these historically excluded communities and reflect the makeup of Norristown. Therefore, priority will be given to self-identified Black and Latinx residents of Norristown.
What is the duration of this residency?
THREAD 2023: During Theatre Horizon’s 2023/24 Season from September 2023 – June 2024.
THREAD 2024: During Theatre Horizon’s 2024/25 Season from September 2024 – June 2025.
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants to THREAD 2024 must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 or older
- Be Norristown-based
- Priority will be given to Black and Latinx Norristown residents
How can I apply?
Applicants can apply online via Theatre Horizon’s online submission form.
The application portal will open on March 15, 2024. The application portal will remain open through April 15 2024 at 11:59PM.
The application process is in two stages:
Round 1: All applications will be reviewed by the Selection Panel*
Round 2: Finalists may be asked for an interview to be scheduled from April-May 2024.
*The Selection Panel will be composed of Norristown residents who Theatre Horizon is contracting to adjudicate*
Adjudication Process:
Each application receives a numerical score between 1 and 5 based on the panel’s assessment of each of the following components:
The 5 C’s:
Criteria – Norristown Based. Priority will be given to Black and Latinx residents of Norristown
Creativity – Have you identified a unique artistic opportunity?
Context – What is the story behind your art, or the story you seek to tell?
Connection – What is your personal and/or artistic connection to Norristown?
Culmination – what type of public presentation and/or culminating event would you use the allotted funds and support for?
What will Theatre Horizon provide?
We will provide SPACE:
Support for the growth of local emerging artists through a lens of antiracism.
Paid opportunities for a Norristown artist to make art in their community. ($3000 stipend directly to the artist, plus financial support towards their culminating event).
Access to Theatre Horizon as a resource for: artist incubation, marketing and/or fundraising support; professional development; and mentorship.
Creative community for Norristown-based artists to learn, develop, workshop, produce, and present their work.
Expanded Audience through increased representation of Norristown artists from communities that have been historically-excluded and historically-underrepresented
.
What do we expect of the THREAD artist?
What do we expect of the artist?
- Seed ideas for a culminating public event
- Resident Artist must provide testimonials on the residency experience to inform programmatic improvement.
- A communicative and collaborative relationship with Theatre Horizon throughout the residency period including regular monthly check-ins
- Photo/Video permission to document residency experience