ARTIST RESIDENCY

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A Residential Platform for Theatre, Performance and New Work

Casa Hechale is a cultural centre for theatre and performance in Mexico City.

The Artist Residency Programme forms part of its work in artistic development and international exchange.

The programme offers selected artists a period of two or four weeks in which to research, write, rehearse and develop new work. Residents live and work at Casa Hechale while taking part in the wider artistic life of the centre.

Residencies are centred on process. A completed production or public presentation is not required.

The programme is open to artists at all stages of their careers and from anywhere in the world. Places are limited and offered through an artistic selection process.

Each selected artist joins Casa Hechale as a Casa Hechale Resident Artist for the duration of the residency.


WHAT THE RESIDENCY PROVIDES

  • Accommodation
    Accommodation at Casa Hechale for the full residency period, in either a shared twin room or a private single room. Both options include shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

    Rehearsal and Work Space
    Scheduled access to space for writing, research, meetings and rehearsals. The working schedule is agreed in relation to the project and the wider programme of the centre.

    Black Box Theatre
    Access to the Black Box Theatre may be requested where the space is relevant to the proposed work. Use is subject to availability, technical requirements and prior agreement. Technical staff, equipment and production support are not included unless confirmed separately.


  • Casa Hechale Orientation
    Each residency begins with an introduction to the Casa Hechale team, spaces, working practices and current programme. The orientation also covers practical arrangements, space use and participation in activities during the residency.

    Community Manager
    A Community Manager serves as the resident’s principal point of contact. The Community Manager supports arrival, day-to-day communication, space scheduling, programme information and connections within the Casa Hechale community.

    Residency Coordination
    Basic coordination includes confirmation of the residency schedule, arrangement of individual sessions and activities, and the preparation of official residency documents where required.


  • Every resident receives two individual sessions during the residency.

    Project Conversation
    One conversation with members of the Casa Hechale creative team, focused on the project, its current stage and the artist’s priorities for the residency.

    Advisory Session
    One session with a Casa Hechale artistic adviser or invited practitioner. Depending on the work, this may involve artistic feedback, dramaturgical exchange, research discussion, mentoring or professional dialogue.

    The timing and focus of both sessions are agreed with the resident.


  • Weekly Programme
    Residents receive invitations to selected activities taking place at Casa Hechale during their stay. Depending on the programme calendar, these may include performances, readings, rehearsals, workshops, exhibitions, artist talks, salons and community gatherings.

    Participation is encouraged but not required. Residents retain the time and independence needed for their own work.

    Casa Hechale Open House
    Each residency cycle includes an Open House bringing together residents, members of the Casa Hechale community and invited practitioners.

    Residents may introduce their work, share a question, present a short reading or offer a brief view into a process in development. The Open House is informal; no completed work or formal presentation is required.

    Connections in Mexico City
    Where relevant, Casa Hechale may arrange introductions to artists, theatre-makers, researchers and cultural organisations in Mexico City. Introductions are based on the needs of the project and the relevance of the connection.

    All spaces, sessions and programme activities are coordinated in advance. Their form and timing may vary according to the residency period, the nature of the project and the current programme of Casa Hechale.


ELIGIBILITY

The programme welcomes individual artists, artistic duos and small collaborations working in:

  • Theatre and performance

  • Acting and directing

  • Playwriting, translation and dramaturgy

  • Dance, movement and embodied practice

  • Interdisciplinary and research-based performance

  • Sound and moving image in relation to live performance

  • Arts education, production and cultural research

Artists may apply at any stage of their career. Applicants should demonstrate an ongoing artistic practice, a clear purpose for the residency and a proposal suited to the time and context available.



  • Applications are reviewed by the Casa Hechale artistic team and, where appropriate, invited advisers.

    Selection is based on:

    • The quality and clarity of the proposal

    • The applicant’s artistic practice and previous work

    • The relevance of the residency to the development of the project

    • The relationship between the proposal and Casa Hechale’s programme

    • The relevance of Mexico City to the proposed work

    • The feasibility of the proposal within the requested period


  • The working languages of Casa Hechale are English and spanish .

    Applicants are not required to speak both languages but should be able to work in at least one. Orientations, individual sessions and programme activities may take place in Spanish, English or bilingually.

    Professional interpretation, translation and bilingual dramaturgical support are not included unless agreed separately.


  • Casa Hechale is based in Mexico City and works across local and international contexts.

    The programme supports exchange between Mexico and the United States and develops relationships with artists and institutions in Spain, wider Europe and beyond.

    Where relevant, residents may be introduced to actors, directors, playwrights, dramaturgs, theatre-makers, researchers, theatres and cultural organisations in Mexico City. Introductions are made according to the needs of the project and the relevance of the connection.


  • Applications are accepted throughout the year and considered on a rolling basis. Artists may apply for either a Two-Week or Four-Week Residency and should indicate their preferred dates in the application form.

    Each residency period is limited to a maximum of six Resident Artists.

    Selection is made through an artistic review of the applicant’s practice, proposed work and the relevance of the residency to the development of the project.

CENTRO CULTURAL CASA HECHALE

CENTRO CULTURAL CASA HECHALE

RESIDENCY PERIODS

  • The Four-Week Residency supports projects that require continuity in research, writing, rehearsal or artistic development.

    The period may be used to develop a text, establish a performance language, undertake an extended rehearsal process, begin a collaboration or advance an existing body of work.

    A reading, open rehearsal, work-in-progress presentation or public conversation may be developed where appropriate to the project. No public outcome is required.


    Shared Room USD 2,100     per person
    Private Room USD 2,800 per person

    Duration: 28 nights

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  • The Two-Week Residency offers a focused period for artists working with a defined question, text, method or performance idea.

    The period may be used to begin a project, advance work already in development or undertake research connected to Mexico City.


    Shared Room USD 1,300     per person
    Private Room USD 1,900 per person

    Duration: 14 nights

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND FUNDING

  • A limited number of Casa Hechale Residency Scholarships are awarded to outstanding artists selected for the Four-Week Residency.

    Each scholarship provides a fee reduction of up to USD 700.

    Scholarships are awarded on the basis of

    • The artistic quality and clarity of the proposal

    • The strength of the applicant’s artistic practice

    • The relevance of the residency to the development of the work

    • The relationship between the proposal, Casa Hechale and the context of Mexico City

    • The applicant’s potential contribution to artistic dialogue and exchange

    The scholarship is not available for the Two-Week Residency.

  • Outstanding applicants who were born in Latin America and currently live and maintain their artistic practice in Latin America may also be considered for an additional award of up to USD 500.

    The Latin America Residency Award may be combined with the Casa Hechale Residency Scholarship, providing a maximum total fee reduction of USD 1,200.

  • Artists may use personal funds, institutional support, external grants or a combination of funding sources to cover the residency fee and related expenses.

    Following selection and provisional confirmation of the residency period, Casa Hechale can provide an official letter of selection for applications to arts councils, cultural ministries, universities, foundations and other funding bodies.

    • Scholarships are available only for the Four-Week Residency.

    • Selection for the residency does not guarantee a scholarship or award.

    • Decisions are made as part of the artistic review process.

    • Awards are applied directly to the residency fee.

    • Recipients are responsible for the remaining fee and all additional expenses.

    • All awards are confirmed in writing with the residency offer.