Pioneers Go East Collective is an artist-driven hub inspiring a lively exchange of queer art and culture. Built on the principles of inclusion, justice, and visibility, we empower adventurous emerging artists with a focus on underrepresented and multicultural artists and teaching artists across all 5 boroughs.

The NEXT! Mentorship Program offers artists support in knowledge sharing and public presentation opportunities based on each artist's needs; this includes guidance in production, creative design, grant writing, and project budgeting. The program nurtures the development of 8 NYC-based artists through exchanges, monthly meetings, discussions, workshops, and presentations over 20 months.

Each artist will receive $3,000 in compensation for presenting their artistic work in our twice-annual CROSSROADS series or the yearly Out-FRONT! Festival, as well as video and photo documentation of their work for their portfolios. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with fellow artists, industry professionals, funders, and community members through Pioneers Go East Collective's curated programming.

We are seeking emerging interdisciplinary artists with 3+ years of professional experience specializing in dance and movement-based practices, performance art, storytelling, and video art. This program is designed for artists who are ready for deeper artistic, administrative, and financial support.

Application Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
Program Timeline: September 2026 – May 2028 (Exact workshop and event dates TBD)
Cohort notifications expected: Early August 2026
Cohort announcement: Early September 2026

For more information or questions about Pioneers Go East Collective and the NEXT! Mentorship, please visit our website or email community@pioneersgoeast.org