Orchard Project Forward is a new program focusing on the future of OP artistsâ projects, visions, and careers.
OP Forward is the opportunity to expand our artistic commitment to the lab artists after the lab phase is concluded; cultivating continuing collaborative relationships and creating comprehensive support that is forward thinking and action driven. From tailored professional development to industry partnerships and community building events, OP Forward works to reimagine and reframe our resources in order to expand the potential for the further growth of new work. OP Forward will advocate for artists as an organization while also supporting and building an empowered community of artists who will advocate for one another.
Presenting program opportunities for lab artists and alumni to further creative momentum and work after Orchard Project labs.
We present a range of program opportunities for every lab artist and alumni to further their creative momentum and work after the lab. Artists and The Orchard Project will have the opportunity to choose to enter into an agreed-upon longer term relationship where OP will directly advocate on behalf of the artist in a range of ways to be decided upon on a project by project basis. OP Forward is rooted in innovation and personalization, breaking from a one size fits all model of creative support. We focus on responding and adapting our programming as artistic needs or circumstances shift.Â
The 2024 OP Forward Toolkit Expansion Plan
In 2024, thanks to the generous support of the Venturous Theatre Fund, The Orchard Project is expanding OP Forward with a defined set of opportunities centered around self-producing and tools to empower artists to develop or produce their own work. OP Forward will focus on equipping artists with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to take those next steps in community with The Orchard Project. As such, The Orchard Project is developing a toolkit of opportunities and resources designed to facilitate self-production/development and self-representation among artists.
Currently, all OP Forward opportunities are open to Orchard Project Performance, Episodic, Audio, and Greenhouse lab alumni. If you have any questions about the toolkit or OP Forward, please reach out to Lana Russell, Director of Producing and Programs at lana@orchardproject.com.Â
Please find The Orchard Project’s expanded toolkit opportunities below:
Creation of accessible guides and events focused on self-producing, marketing, and financial management for artists. These resources aim to demystify the producing process and encourage more artists to take their projects from concept to completion. While beginning with our core expertise in supporting self-producing in the performing arts, these will expand to the other verticals the OP supports over time.
The Orchard Project will create new âoffice hoursâ with its team â particularly its Director of Producing and Artistic Programs and Associate Producer â to work with and advise alumni projects and artists on production matters, including but not limited to: Venue Rental, Marketing, Budgeting, Payroll, Production Management, Relationship building, Dramaturgy and more.
This is also an opportunity for personalized mentorship.
The Orchard Project will launch its first Fiscal Sponsorship program ever, focused on creating financial vehicles in which the Orchard Project can serve as a donation passthrough for alumni artists and projects at minimal cost to the artist.Â
Fiscal Sponsorship is a contractual relationship between a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization (The Orchard Project) and an artist or group whose project falls within The Orchard Projectâs mission. The OP will be offering Fiscal Sponsorship to eligible and accepted projects, thus enabling artists to apply for grants and receive donations under The OPâs non-profit umbrella when fundraising for development or production. Most OP fiscal sponsorship will fall under a âpre-approved grant sponsorshipâ model, a simple model in which the OP administers the fundraised funds back to artists and productions for a 3% administrative fee plus any transaction costs (e.g. around 2-3% for most credit card donations) â much less than other fiscal sponsors. We want that money to be used for your work, and even more so, in order to encourage production of our artistsâ work, we will also credit back the 3% administrative fee on documentation of production expenses.