Co-Production Program
Supporting Creative Collaborations
The Dairy’s Co-Production Program connects artists, arts organizations, and creative communities with the spaces, resources, and professional support needed to bring compelling work to audiences. Selected projects receive complimentary access to Dairy venues along with technical production, box office and front-of-house services, and support from the Dairy’s marketing and programming teams. Together, we work with artists and organizations to find the right path for bringing their work to our stages, screens, galleries, and community. We welcome ambitious ideas, emerging artists, established organizations, and projects that take creative risks. We are especially interested in work that is ready, or nearly ready, to be shared with an audience and can benefit from the Dairy as a presenting partner.
The Dairy’s Co-Production program is generously funded in part by the Women’s Giving Circle of the Dairy Arts Center.
Program Overview
What Is the Co-Production Program?
What Is the Co-Production Program?
The Co-Production Program is an ongoing opportunity to partner with the Dairy to present artistic work that enriches and expands our creative community.
Rather than operating within a single annual program cycle, Co-Production is designed to give the Dairy and prospective partners greater flexibility to identify opportunities throughout the year. We are looking for projects with a strong artistic vision, a clear foundation for successful presentation, and a meaningful connection to the Dairy’s audiences and community.
Selected projects work in partnership with Dairy staff to explore the practical possibilities of presentation—from finding the right space and navigating technical needs to identifying opportunities within the Dairy’s programming calendar.
The goal is simple: to help great work find its audience.
What the Dairy Provides
What the Dairy Provides:
Selected Co-Production projects receive substantial in-kind support from the Dairy, which may include:
- Complimentary venue rental
- Technical production support
- Box office services
- Front-of-house support
- Marketing and promotional support
- Guidance and collaboration from the Dairy’s programming team
- Access to the Dairy’s established audiences and community networks
- A collaborative revenue-sharing model
Depending on the needs of a project and available resources, additional support may occasionally be available.
What We're Looking For
What We’re Looking For:
We are looking for projects that are artistically compelling, thoughtfully developed, and well positioned for successful presentation at the Dairy.
When considering proposals, we may look at:
Artistic Vision
Does the project demonstrate a distinctive, compelling, or ambitious creative vision?
Readiness
Is there a strong foundation and realistic plan for bringing the project to an audience?
Community Connection
How might the project engage, reflect, challenge, or expand our artistic community?
Fit
How does the project complement the Dairy’s existing programming or help fill a gap within the local arts landscape?
Feasibility
Can the project be successfully presented within the Dairy’s spaces, production capabilities, and programming calendar?
We recognize that every project is different. Applicants do not need to have every detail finalized before applying, but should have a clear understanding of their project’s needs and a realistic path toward presentation.
Who Should Apply?
Who Should Apply?
The Dairy welcomes proposals from individual artists, artist collectives, arts organizations, and other creative groups.
We are particularly interested in opportunities to support:
• Emerging artists and organizations
• New and experimental work
• Projects that take artistic or creative risks
• Work that brings new perspectives and experiences to our community
• Established programs or events seeking a new presenting partner or audience
We welcome proposals across artistic disciplines and are interested in projects that could take place on our stages, in our theaters and galleries, or elsewhere within the Dairy’s creative community.
Eligibility requirements:
- Performance must be in the field of arts and culture including, but not limited to, theater, dance, film and digital arts, music, literary arts, events focused on cultural arts, history, or heritage. Ineligible events include private ceremonies and events, fundraising events or events promoting a specific candidate or endorsing a specific bill
- All applicants must be in good standing with the Dairy Arts Center, including no previous venue rental contract violations
- All applicants must be able to agree to the rules and regulations outlined in the Dairy’s co-production contract
How it Works
How it Works:
Apply Anytime
The Co-Production Program is an ongoing open call. Applications are accepted year-round, so you can submit a proposal when your project is ready.
Reviewed Twice Each Year
Applications are reviewed twice annually, in December and June, by a selection committee made up of Dairy staff and community arts professionals.
This combination of perspectives helps us consider each project’s artistic vision alongside its potential fit within the Dairy’s spaces, calendar, audiences, and broader programming.
We’ll Be in Touch
Following each review cycle, applicants will be notified about the status of their proposal. Depending on the nature of a project, the Dairy may also reach out to explore questions, scheduling possibilities, or other considerations before making a final decision.
Flexibility is a Plus
Flexibility is a Plus:
Because Co-Production is an ongoing opportunity and the Dairy’s programming calendar is continually evolving, flexibility can help us find the right home for a project. Projects with flexibility around presentation dates and venue needs may have more opportunities for consideration. That said, we understand that some projects have specific timelines, touring schedules, or other constraints, and we encourage applicants to share those needs with us.
Final Report
For selected applicants, a final report is due no more than one month (31 days) after your project is completed/final performance date. Reports require a 1 – 2 page project summary, final budget, and Media (Photos, video or audio). The final report can be completed below. Email Shay Wescott, Development Manager, if you are having any issues.
Application
Have a project you’d like to bring to the Dairy?
We accept proposals year-round and look forward to learning more about the work you are creating and the possibilities we might explore together.
Not sure if this is the right opportunity for you? We want to hear from you!
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for an opportunity unless they meet every single qualification. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic program. If you’re excited about this opportunity but your proposal doesn’t align perfectly with the application, apply anyway or reach out to us to discuss your concerns. This also applies to emerging artists and small organizations. Our questions are meant to help our committee better understand the context of your proposal and the scope of programming you or your organization provide year round. If you have not or do not plan to produce work outside of this opportunity, you can still apply!
For questions on this program including eligibility, deadlines & availability, review process and implementation, please contact Shay Wescott, Development Manager at swescott@thedairy.org