Performing Artist in Residence
Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Performing Artist in Residence program allows artists and visitors to experience the Garden through a different lens.
Past Performing Artists in Residence
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2025 Artist in Residence: Julia Rocha-Nava
Drawing from Latin American and Caribbean traditions such as cumbia, bolero, son jarocho, Julia Rocha led community workshops and created a bilingual music performance connecting the human-plant relationship and exploring our responsibilities as land stewards.
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2024 Artist in Residence: Patrick Costello
In 2024, Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosted Patrick Costello as artist in residence. During his residency, Costello led a family-friendly hand-puppet workshop, conducted a community chorus in the Garden, and created an immersive and participatory processional performance called The Holes are Alive: A Garden Tour focused on plants and pollinators.
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2023 Artist in Residence: Kamala Sankaram
From June through September 2023, Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosted Kamala Sankaram as artist in residence. Drawing inspiration from trees in our collection, tree care and caretakers, and the symbolism of trees as places of gathering, shelter, and culture, Sankaram created two new pieces inspired by the Garden’s 2023 theme, Power of Trees.
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2022 Artist in Residence: Jean-René Delsoin
During his summer 2022 residency, Jean-René Delsoin's study of BBG’s gardens, plants, trees, and wildlife along with Haitian culture, traditions, and heritage informed a work created and presented in collaboration with NYC-based dance and drum practitioners.
During the residency, the artist spends time creating work in and inspired by the Garden. They host public classes, seminars, or activities, then showcase their final work in the fall.
Residency Support
- Access to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden library and archives
- Research meetings with gardeners and staff
- Access to the Garden, including outside of public hours by arrangement
- Access to BBG’s events and programs
- A shared desk area and Wi-Fi
- Artist stipend of $8,000 plus additional funds for production & performer support
Eligibility
- Discipline: Artists interested in the live performance world including (but not limited to) choreographers, dancers, musicians, playwrights, and theater makers.
- Artist must be a resident of New York City. This residency does not provide housing or transportation.
- Artist must respect the plant life and abide by Garden rules. A residency contract will be executed.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an equal opportunity organization and encourages all eligible applicants to apply.
Application Components
- Portfolio of 3–5 pieces of work
- Resume
- Written proposal including:
- Performance ideas integrating the 2025 theme
- Public engagement ideas; seminars, classes, etc.
- Artist’s relation to or interest in botanic subject matter
- Anticipated needs for residency supplies, equipment, space, and budget
- Artist statement
Selection
Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of Brooklyn Botanic Garden staff and previous artists in residence and selected on the following criteria:
- Integration of the theme into the performance piece
- The proposal reflects Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s mission and community and is appropriate for all ages.
- Feasible for Brooklyn Botanic Garden; think about the impact on the grounds and flexibility of the performance in an outdoor environment.
- Strength of the public engagement proposals; how do you propose to get to know BBG’s community and vice versa?
- Relationship or interest in botanic subject matter
- Applicant’s portfolio of work and examples of completed performances
The Performing Artist in Residency is on hiatus for 2026.