flynn breakthrough

The Flynn invites artists and organizations to apply for Flynn Breakthrough, a new initiative commissioning, producing, and incubating original performance for public spaces and non-conventional venues. At a time when funding and producing opportunities are shrinking, we’re making a bold investment in artists — helping transform daring ideas into artistic work that sparks imagination, inspires communities, and resonates far beyond Vermont.

Incubator Program

For artists developing a new project, we provide time, space, mentorship, and connections to explore audience-centered ideas that carry artistic risk — whether that means experimenting with new forms, working across disciplines or in unconventional spaces, or tackling urgent themes whose impact is uncertain but potentially transformative. Each project culminates in a public sharing (showing, workshop, or other creative engagement), turning that risk into dialogue with communities and testing how new work can take root in the lives of audiences.

Producing Platform

For artists and organizations that have or will create a premiere-ready new work. We provide commissioning, producing, and marketing support to bring fully realized projects to their world premiere in public spaces and non-conventional venues across Vermont. The Producing Platform is designed for work that feels urgent and of this moment, performances that take imaginative risks while inviting audiences to witness, participate, or co-create. These premieres will unfold in public — from streets and town greens, to fields and mountainsides — sparking discovery where people live, work, and play.

Guided by a panel of artists and industry experts, the Flynn will select at least five Incubator Projects and up to four premieres through the Producing Platform in the 2026–27 cycle — a total of $125,000 invested directly in artists.

Timeline

• Notifications & Public Announcement: April 2026

• Incubator Program Public Sharings: by April 25, 2027

• Producing Platform Premieres: must be performed either September 2026 or September 2027