#HellaBlack Vol. 8 Open Call

HellaBlack is Back! This time, we are looking for youth artists who are interested in being featured in HellaBlack Vol 8. This event will be hosted in the historic Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts!

We are looking for artists from the Black, African, African American, Afro Caribbean and Afro Latine diaspora to join us for this edition of HellaBlack curated by Amanda Shea and stay tuned for an announcement on our first ever Associate Curator! The theme for this year is GENESIS – a theme rooted in rebirth, growth, and the act of pushing forward in times of change. We are asking the artists to think of pieces that reflect transformation, emergence, and the courage to build something new – through your art, your process, and your becoming. We are looking for artists between the ages of 16 and 25 for our first ever youth edition of this event!

We are looking for artists who are:

Singers, rappers, poets, dancers, musicians, and interdisciplinary artists
Local to Boston or the Boston Metro Area
Prepared to present a 10 minute performance-based set
Artists between the age of 18 and 25
Able to attend photo and video sessions, as well as rehearsals
Able to attend the tech rehearsal on Thursday May 28, 2026
Available for the entire show day on Friday May 29, 2026

BCA will provide:

Stipends for each individual artist and/or group
Green room and dressing room space
Access to 10 hours of rehearsal space at BCA prior to the show date
Basic lighting and sound (in most cases we are not able to accommodate specific lighting requests)

Important Dates:

Application deadline: Monday February 16, 2026
Notification on or around: Monday February 23, 2026

Tech date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Show date: Friday, May 29, 2026

This program is supported by the Neighborhood and Downtown Activation
Grant from the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture and the City of Boston.

If you have any questions - please email Michaila Cowie, Director of Theatre Arts at Michaila@bostonarts.org.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Are you local to the Boston Metro Area?*

YesNoOther

Are you applying as a group or individual?*

IndividualGroupOther

Preferred Name (stage name, name you go by)

Pronouns

Group Name (if applying on behalf of a group)

If applying as a group, please outline how many people are in the group, as well as their disciplines (i.e. two musicians and two dancers)

Group Website / Social Media Handle (if applying on behalf of a group)

Social Media Handle (Instagram, TikTok, etc.)*

Artist Website

What is your age?*

In 250 words or less, tell us about your work. Think of this as a bio of sorts.*

In 250 words or less, tell us what you would like to share with the community during this next edition of #HellaBlack? What should audiences expect to see/hear/feel/experience?*

How would participating in HellaBlack support your artistic growth and journey? What role do you see this experience playing in your ongoing creative journey?

Tell us about any tech needs you might have in order to feel successful during your set. For example: Do you need a dance floor? Wireless microphones? How many? Please be specific so we can make sure we can do our best to accommodate the needs.*

Tell us about any equipment you might need to bring with you. Please feel free to be as detailed as possible. (i.e. drum kit, speakers)

Please upload a GOOGLE DRIVE or CLOUD LINK that includes the following:

A work sample – this could be a video of you performing, an audio recording of your work, etc. This should be something that gives us insight to you and the work you practice. Please limit work samples to no longer than 3 minutes.

A headshot – two to three a hi-resolution photos that could be used for promotion and marketing. Please feel free to include photos of you peforming, your work, etc. Please be sure to include the photo credit in the file name. Example: Michaila_Photo1_NileScottStudios

Please make sure that Michaila@Bostonarts.org has access to the folder or else the selection team will not be able to see your application materials.

GOOGLE OR CLOUD LINK HERE *

Before you go, please tell us how you heard about this opportunity (check all that apply)*

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

HellaBlack Vol. 8 Open Call

About Your Work