CALL FOR NEWCOMER ARTISTS: "The New Stage"


​Are you a woman or gender diverse newcomer artist to St. John’s who wants to connect, collaborate, and grow within the local arts community?
Have you found it challenging to navigate or feel fully integrated into the Newfoundland and Labrador arts scene as a newcomer?
Do you have a creative idea you’d love to bring to life?

If any of these sound like you, you’re in the right place.

The Women’s Work Festival is excited to announce  The New Stage Project, which will run from November 2025 to June 2026. 

This NEW project is designed to support the settlement and integration of 5 women or gender diverse newcomer artists and independent producers in St.John’s. Through mentorship, workshops, and community connections, the Incubator aims to foster artistic growth, an entrepreneurial mindset, and belonging within the NL arts scene.

The New Stage Incubator welcomes artists from all creative fields who want to build foundational producing skills and develop sustainable artistic practices. Most sessions will be taught through a theatre perspective, but the tools and insights shared can be applied across a variety of creative disciplines. Participants will also develop and refine a personal artistic project or idea with ongoing guidance and mentorship from Ana Pitol, Women’s Work Festival’s Director.

As part of the program, participants will take part in the 20th Annual Women’s Work Festival (March 2026). A hands-on, intensive week where they will observe, learn, and actively engage with leading artists, directors, and producers in the local theatre and arts scene.

Eligibility Criteria
  • Status: Preference will be given to newcomers who demonstrate a higher need for settlement support, considering factors such as:
    • Length of time in Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Language proficiency
    • Access to social and professional networks
    • Experience with discrimination or other challenges
  • Gender Identity: Open to women and other marginalized genders.
  • Residency: Open to artists residing in St. John’s and the surrounding areas.
  • Discipline: Open to artists working in any creative field (e.g., theatre, performance, design, writing, technical arts).
  • Career Stage: Experienced, emerging, and early-career artists seeking professional integration in the NL arts sector.
  • Participants: This program is for a cohort of 5 emerging newcomer artists.
  • Commitment: The Selected artist must be available to attend all sessions outlined in the program schedule. All sessions are in person.


If selected, artists will receive:
  • Personalized mentorship and feedback on developing an independent project or artistic practice.
  • Professional development workshops in grant writing, entrepreneurship, portfolio creation, pitching, and marketing.
  • Portfolio support, including professional photography.
  • Community connection through the Local Artist Match Program, pairing each newcomer artist with an established NL artist.
  • Networking opportunities with theatre companies, producers, and arts organizations across the province.
  • Potential paid opportunity, either through the Women’s Work Festival or partner organizations.
  • Ongoing mentorship to set personal and professional goals beyond the incubator.


Selection Policy
  • Five (5) artists will be selected.
  • All participants must be residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Priority will be given to IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour) and emerging artists.
  • If the selection pool does not allow us to fully meet these criteria, we reserve the right to select additional participants who demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and community impact, while maintaining the program’s newcomer focus.


How to Apply & Next Steps
To apply, please fill out the Google Form linked below. Please complete all sections carefully before submitting. Submissions are open from October 16th to November 9th. All applicants will be contacted by mid-November 2025.   
If you have any questions, please contact Oluwatoyin Awosanya, The New Stage Project Coordinator, at [email protected].

This project is funded by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the Newfoundland and Labrador's
​Settlement and Integration Program.​​