Open Interval 2027: Artist-Scientist Collaboration on Turbulence

About this call

Open Interval is a Simons Foundation program for trios of an artist, a scientist and an arts organization who spend April to December 2027 in open-ended collaboration around the theme of turbulence. Each of 15 trios receives a $30,000 grant, and no proposed project or finished work is required: the program supports collaboration rather than production or exhibitions. Trios meet as a national cohort, including a required collaboration meeting on 23 to 26 May 2027 in upstate New York. Awardees may later apply for project funding in late 2027.

Who can apply

• Domestic applicants
• Medium: Performance / Installation
• Entry fee: See official site
• US-based collaborations only: applicants need not be US citizens but must live in the US for the duration of the program, and trios should be co-located in one region and able to collaborate in person. Each trio is one artist, one scientist and one arts organization with one primary contact; artist pairs or small collectives may be a fit. Artists: an authentic desire to collaborate with a scientist (no science background needed), large-scale or public work that lends itself to collective experiences by large audiences, in particular performance, installation, participatory work, sound art and dance, and substantial experience creating, exhibiting and presenting work with a well-developed point of view. Scientists: active basic science research at a university or research institution with a Ph.D. or equivalent. Organizations: a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (fiscally sponsored programs are not eligible) with a vital role outside academic environments; university arts centers are eligible, but trios drawing from beyond a single institution are sought; on acceptance the organization provides its IRS determination letter and recent audited financial statements. Art students are not eligible; one person cannot apply as both artist and scientist; previously awarded artists and scientists cannot apply (arts organizations may take part again). The organization's curator or producer starts the application, then the artist and scientist complete their own forms; all three write a statement, and the artist also uploads work samples and a link to a short video response. All materials are due 21 October 2026 at 3:00 pm ET. Virtual interviews for finalists run from 30 November to 17 December 2026 and all applicants are notified on 15 January 2027. All three must attend the collaboration meeting on 23 to 26 May 2027 in upstate New York. At least one third of the grant goes to the artist for their time, and the funding is not expected to be used for exhibitions.