top of page

ARTIST APPLICATION
 Application opens December 1, 2025
Application closes February 2, 2026
​
APPLICATION

Application Eligibility & Requirements

ELIGIBILITY 

The TYA Tour Development Collective prioritizes funding projects that:

  • Can tour nationally during the 2027-2028 season.

  • Have already undergone some initial development, such as a script reading, a workshop, production during a home season, or a local tour.

  • Have not had a previous national tour.

  • Are created by US-based artists or companies.
     

Additional guidelines:

  • Works of all genres from US-based artists and producing companies are welcome.

  • Adaptations (with rights secured) and productions with strong educational components are encouraged, as well as original works. 

  • Projects may serve family and/or school audiences. 

  • Ideally for venues ranging from 200 seats up to 2,000 seats. 

  • Artists/companies may be self-represented or work with an agent.

  • Artists/companies that previously applied but did not receive commissioning dollars may apply again with the same or different project. Artists that previously received commissioning dollars may apply again with a different project.
     

REVIEW PROCESS

Each application will be reviewed by two presenter Collective members and one agent/manager/producer. Criteria will include: 

  • Tour readiness of the production/company/artists.

  • Relevance to the field of performances for young audiences.

  • Artistic quality and vision.

It is understood that these criteria are subjective and will require discussion during the evaluation process. Submission of a project budget is required.
 

TIMELINE

  • Finalists selected by late March 2026 and invited to pitch virtually the week of April 6.

  • Questions from the Collective will be shared in advance.

  • Funds committed by May 1, 2026; public announcement via press release in June 2026.

  • Selected projects highlighted during a professional development session at the TYA/USA virtual conference in June.
     

Please contact TYA Tour Development Collective Administrator Katie Miller with any questions about the application.

Other Information for Artists

  • Commissioning Agreements: Agreements are made between the artist and each individual commissioning partner – i.e. three venues, three agreements.
     

  • Payments: The payment schedule is determined in the individual agreements and payments will generally start no earlier than July 1 of that year.
     

  • Booking Priority: The artist and/or agent/manager will give booking priority to the contributing Collective Members. Bookings will depend on venue and artist availability. It may take a few seasons, but the goal is that the funded projects are presented by venues that helped support its development.
     

  • Developmental Credit: The contributing Collective Members will be included as Development Partners for the life of the project, including future tours. Specific billing language will be included in the agreements.
     

  • Awareness Materials: This is an exciting new venture! We want people to know about it. Artists will create some awareness materials (photos, videos, press releases) to help Collective members share their support of the project’s development with their stakeholders.

LET'S CHANGE THE GAME!

Together, we can transform how new work for young audiences is created and shared. Let’s give ambitious, joyful, and relevant performances the support they deserve.

bottom of page