Durham Issues Call for Applications: 2025 Beechwood Cemetery Performances

Highlighting the Lives of Historical Residents Through Performance Art

The City of Durham invites artists and artist teams to submit applications for performance opportunities at the grand opening of the Beechwood Cemetery Columbarium in May 2025.

This initiative seeks to honor the history of individuals interred at this significant site through the creation and presentation of monologues and a scene that capture the significance of their extraordinary lives.

What You Need to Know

• Eligibility: Applications are welcomed from artists or artist teams.
• Submission Deadline: Online applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Monday, December 2.
• Performance Requirements: The artist or artist team should be prepared to produce three biographical monologues and one scene inspired by the lives of former residents after the awarding of the project.

The May 2025 event will celebrate the legacy of Durham residents and the expansion of Beechwood Cemetery. Local researchers, writers, and performers with experience in historical research and storytelling are encouraged to apply for this distinguished opportunity.

Selected candidates will be expected to:

• Conduct thorough historical research and interviews to uncover the narratives of those interred at Beechwood from 1924 to the present.
• Adapt this research into three compelling monologues and one scene to encapsulate the achievements and experiences of the individuals honored.
• Perform the selected pieces at the public grand opening, which will be documented and made available online.

The successful artist or artist team will be allocated a project budget of up to $5,000, which will cover artist fees, insurance that complies with City standards, materials, transportation, and documentation. This opportunity is available to residents of North Carolina, with a preference for individuals from Durham who possess an understanding of Beechwood Cemetery's historical significance. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.

Interested parties should visit the project website for the detailed request for interest, project timeline, and to register for a virtual pre-submittal meeting scheduled for November 13.

About the City of Durham Cultural and Public Art Program

The City of Durham Cultural and Public Art Program affirms Durham's rich cultural and arts community is a part of what makes Durham neighborhoods thrive, attracts tourism, catalyzes business development, and brings residents together. The Program seeks to bring cultural and public art opportunities into the everyday experience of Durham residents through delivery of culturally relevant programming. Under the Arts, Culture, and Sustainable Communities Division within the General Services Department, the Program manages the City's public art collection, festivals and special events funding, and two public advisory bodies: the Durham Cultural Advisory Board and the Public Art Committee. Residents and artists interested in art-related opportunities can sign up for alerts through the Monthly Newsletter.

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