the residency

Ryan Heffington’s DESERTRADE invites applications from individuals and small teams (up to three artists) seeking the time, space, and stillness to create choreographic-driven work in the Mojave Desert. The 2027 Residency welcomes choreographers and dance-makers who explore movement as an artistic practice, offering an environment to develop new ideas, deepen their process, and bring emerging works to life. 

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Residency cost is $750/week for a minimum of one week and up to four weeks—funds that sustain our staff, and support the building of our infrastructure in our developing stages or our residency program. We encourage artists to secure grants or self-fund their stay.

 

The residency currently offers a new 2,200 sq ft, one-bedroom house with a full kitchen, laundry, two sunlit workspaces, and two freestanding workshops. The property spans 12 private acres of quiet desert expanse. Our next phase will add four bungalows and two more workshops, allowing up to five artists in residence at once.

 

While we provide no equipment beyond what’s listed in the FAQ, we do offer visibility through our website and Instagram and support from our staff, including Executive and Artistic Director. Please note: the property is not yet ADA compliant, and the sandy landscape may pose accessibility challenges.​

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Requirements:

 

• 25+ years of age

• Provide $750 per week for accommodations (current awarded grant or personally funded)

• Access to a vehicle (own or rental) with a valid driver’s license. Vehicles needed for grocery shopping, acquiring materials, seeing sights, etc.

• A complete written statement OR a video about yourself as an artist and your project’s concept, where you are in the development process and what you hope to accomplish at DESERTRADE (phone video absolutely fine)

• At the end of your stay a casual performative or conversational presentation for friends and the general public in our SHOW+TELL program. Sharing with our community what is happening at DESERTRADE is fundamental.