Application FAQ
  

Q: Do artists have to be from Middle Tennessee in order to apply for Kindling Arts Festival?

A: For the most part, yes. Kindling Arts exists to support local artists, so we require that at least one lead artist on the collaborative team live in Middle Tennessee. Collaborators from outside the local vicinity are allowed, but we encourage applicants to consider how they would cover any travel or housing costs, as Kindling Arts is not able to offer financial support for those expenses. 
 

Q: What kind of resources and support will Kindling provide? 

A: Projects selected for the Festival receive comprehensive creative, logistical, and technical support from the Kindling team. Kindling manages venue negotiations, hires technical staff, oversees box office and ticketing, and provides marketing support—removing as much administrative burden as possible so artists can focus on the work itself. Artists are responsible for all onstage elements, including costumes, props, and scenic components. Kindling provides basic lighting design and sound amplification support.
 

Q: Can artists propose an idea that has not yet been made?

A: The Festival is designed to support original projects, and most of the performances seen at the Festival are being seen for the very first time. If a project has previously been performed as a work-in-progress, staged reading, or studio sharing, that is also fine. Please tell us more in the application about which phase of development your project is in.
 

Q: How many times will chosen artists be expected to perform their piece during the Festival dates?

A: Each project has different needs, and performance scheduling reflects practical considerations such as venue capacity, performance length, and Festival logistics. The Festival co-directors work directly with artists to confirm performance dates and times prior to the public announcement of the lineup, typically in May.
 

Q: What kind of payment is provided to artists who perform at the Festival? 

A: Although Kindling Arts is a small organization, we are proud to pay every artist who participates in the Festival. We work collaboratively with each artist to determine and confirm compensation in advance. Most selected projects receive 50% of their net box office revenue as payment for their performances. In some cases—such as when additional infrastructure is required or when specific grant funding allows—alternative revenue splits or minimum fees may be negotiated. At all times, the Kindling team prioritizes directing as much funding as possible to the independent artists and technicians who make the work possible. 
 

Q: When will artists be notified of their application status?

A: Kindling Arts will notify artists of the status of their application no later than April 1, 2026.
 

Q: If I want to independently produce a show at a venue that’s not already on Kindling’s Festival roster, is that possible? 

A: It is possible that we can consider a “Bring Your Own Venue” model in specific instances where artists have particular space needs or want to handle the aspects of venue rental and production outside of the Festival’s existing scope. This would require an extensive conversation with Kindling’s co-artistic directors. Please reach out to daniel@kindlingart.com before submitting a “Bring Your Own Venue” application. 

Q: Does Kindling Arts provide rehearsal spaces?

A: Due to the number of projects in the Festival each year, Kindling Arts is not able to provide rehearsal space for individual projects. Lack of a traditional rehearsal studio should not be a barrier to participation. We encourage artists to think creatively and lean on community—asking around for unused classrooms, church basements, garages, or shared spaces. Artists have always made work in the margins—between shifts, in borrowed rooms, in spaces not designed for art but claimed for it anyway. Ask around. Clear a corner. Move the chairs. Let the work live where you are. A perfect space is not a prerequisite for meaningful work. Kindling is always happy to share knowledge about available spaces and going studio rates to the best of our knowledge. 
 

Q: How long is the technical rehearsal period for a chosen project?

A: During Festival week, artists are provided a technical rehearsal block appropriate to the length and complexity of their performance. Short-form works (under 20 minutes) typically receive 1–2 hours, while evening-length works (50 minutes or longer) are generally scheduled for around 4 hours. As artists develop the technical aspects of their work, we encourage designs that work well within these timeframes; in a shared festival environment, simplicity helps ensure a smooth, successful production process. 
 

Q: How do I know if my project is a good fit for Kindling Arts Festival?

A: Artists are encouraged to develop innovative and daring works that take risks, expand their personal artistic practice, explore a new collaboration, and/or wrestle with current issues in our society. Kindling Arts is most interested in supporting projects that utilize cross-disciplinary collaboration, implement innovative use of non-traditional performance spaces, and/or explore new ways of making live performance (such as devised theater projects, unclassifiable performance experiences, or multimedia-infused works). We are drawn to projects that challenge familiar forms and invite audiences into something unexpected. If there are any questions about a project being a good fit for the Festival, feel free to reach out to Kindling Arts’ Producing Artistic Director Daniel Jones at daniel@kindlingarts.com.