Our efforts to keep Ars Nova an active artist hub go beyond the shows we produce; a variety of initiatives and programs help establish and engage a thriving community of artists.

Play Group
This vibrant and eclectic group of emerging playwrights gathers twice a month at Ars Nova to share new work and get feedback. The group offers members the chance to develop their plays with peer support, form collaborative relationships and build a strong sense of community within Ars Nova. For information about current and prior members, as well as application criteria click here.

Artists-in-Residence
At the heart of Ars Nova’s artistic community and crucial to its mission of supporting emerging artists is its Artist-in-Residency program. Each year, several artists from our community are invited to join the artistic team. During their yearlong residencies, each has access to the Ars Nova staff and resources as well as an artistic home. In return, they provide expertise and are integral to artistic planning and production. Residents are often commissioned to develop new work for the Ars Nova stage.  For more information about our current and prior resident artists, click here.

Summer Artist Retreat
Each summer, a group of artists from the Ars Nova community are selected to attend a retreat outside of New York City. Ars Nova funds and facilitates the trip, allowing artists the rare opportunity to enjoy an uninterrupted week of work. The retreat itself is divided into a balance of focused work sessions, group discussions and social activities to help forge lasting collaborations.  

Commissioning Program
Ars Nova’s commissioning program focuses on the creation and development of one to two original works per year. Commissioned artists have a series of conversations with the artistic team to outline a project specifically for the Ars Nova space. Creating a timeline with the needs of each project in mind, Ars Nova allocates resources to support development with the end goal being a full production on our stage. Previous commissions that Ars Nova has produced include Bloodsong of Love, Now Circa Then, Be a Good Little Widow, and The Lapsburgh Layover.