Extended applications closed Jan 23, 2026.
Open Call – convergence Cohort 2026
The Convergence Cohort was created in 2024 as a response to the need by emerging artistic producers to cultivate their artistic visions, develop their works, and bring their creations to life. As the funding landscape continues to shift, it is even more important to grow our capacity as a community by sharing resources and producing the works that contribute to the city’s cultural and creative vibrancy.
We are accepting applications for the next Convergence Cohort — a transformative mentorship and learning program designed to empower equity-deserving artists to produce their work independently, lead with vision, and harness emerging technologies in their artistic practice.
re:Naissance is made up of a small team of producing artists, and over the past eight years we have been developing new processes to conceptualize, develop, fund and produce new works. This open call is an opportunity for us to connect with you and your work, and to discover how our processes and support can be impactful to your artistic practice.
Read about the 2024 Convergence Cohort artists
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are eager to explore the boundary-pushing creations that our city’s grassroots and indie artists are bringing to life. We are curious to connect with artists that are exploring the nuances of personal thematic questions that empower us all to transcend the ordinary. We’re interested in how artists are experimenting with alternative modalities of creation, seeking those who transform not only the form and thoughts within their work, but who are also iterating on their artistic practices.
This program is open to all Canadian Artists and Permanent Residents of Canada but it is an in-person program that will take place in Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish (colonially, Vancouver).
WHAT WE WILL OFFER
The Convergence Cohort is an artist-centered program that bridges the gap between artistic vision and production reality. Through the cohort, participants will engage in:
– Ten comprehensive learning modules covering artistic visioning, production planning and dramaturgy, values-based policy building, digital innovation and strategic fundraising.
– 1:1 mentorship sessions tailored to each participants unique artistic goals and challenges
– Hands-on training in emerging technologies to expand creative possibilities and address production resource gaps
– The opportunity to perform at IndieFest’s Opening Gathering, connect with peers in the festival, and inspire the next cohort.
This is an opportunity to work in collaboration with fellow emerging producers, mentors, and our team to build real production capacity. We want to share knowledge and skills so you can leave the cohort with the tools and experience to produce on your own terms. Through peer-to-peer learning, lateral resource-sharing, and hands-on collaboration across all aspects of production, you’ll develop the artistic autonomy to bring your creative visions to life. You will be paid for your time.
Timeline
The Convergence Cohort is designed to be an in-person program with all training sessions taking place at the DigiBC Creative Tech Studio at 577 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC.
In-person schedule: 10 sessions, weekly, March 16th to May 25th, 2026
- March 16th 2026: Onboarding / opening – Debi Wong, Neelesh Nair, Stephanie Wong, fanny kearse (opening the session)
- March 23 2026: Artistic Vision & Building Cross Sector Collaborative Teams – Debi, Neelesh & Stephanie (concrete examples and how the collaborations work)
- March 30 2026: Production Dramaturgy – Stephanie Wong
- 1 week break to make a list of things needed for the process
- April 13 2026: How to make a budget – Debi Wong
- April 20 2026: How to Write A Grant and a fund a project– Debi Wong
- Optional / Bonus: Strategic funding and partnerships
- April 27 2026: Emerging Technologies & Opportunities in the Performing Arts – Neelesh Nair (intro to tools: Unreal, Touch Designer)
- May 4 2026: Touch Designer Deep Dive – Neelesh Nair
- Optional: Unreal Engine and Mocap – Neelesh Nair
- May 11 2026: Creative Operations: Production Planning & Project Infrastructure – Stephanie Wong: PPD, Contracts, Values-Based Production Planning and Policies
- May 18 2026: World Building and Sharing Your Story With The World (Anti-Marketing) – Guest speaker
- May 25 2026: Internal Performance / Work Sharing Session – Debi Wong, Neelesh Nair, Stephanie Wong, fanny kearse – IndieFest
- Showcase for support material
- Pitching the proposed project for grants / partners
remuneration
Participants will receive the following remuneration for their participation in the convergence cohort:
$120 per learning session
$500 for their performance at Indiefest 2026
$200 in personal funds
Who Should Apply?
We’re looking for equity-deserving artists who:
- Want to produce their own work on their own terms but need the skills and resources to do so
- Are ready to step into positions of artistic leadership with hands-on learning opportunities
- Are curious about emerging technologies and how to integrate them into their creative practice
- Are committed to community-building and potentially mentoring future cohorts, and are available to participate in the activities locally in Vancouver
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Our foremost values are: Joy, Abundance and Community First. We believe that more is more, and the Convergence Cohort call aspires to expand the artists we connect and empower with the tools and processes that have allowed us to produce new works.
We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC artists, women and non-binary folks, persons living with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and others whose voices contribute to the further diversification of the arts sector. This is a dedicated space for QTBIPOC artists.
Share your work anytime before the extended deadline on January 23, 2026.