Emerging Creators Unit

What is the Emerging Creators Unit?

The Emerging Creators Unit is an artist-driven, mentor-supported creative model; we look for strongly motivated emerging queer and/or trans artists.

The Emerging Creators Unit offers an intensive opportunity to develop your artistic practice and producing skills. As part of this program, artists are invited to apply with a project — or a seed of a project — that will serve as a vehicle to advance their artistic practice.

This year, the unit is facilitated by theatre-maker, performer, and multidisciplinary artist Amanda Cordner. Workshop and masterclasses will be curated around identified areas of growth from participants. The Unit will conclude with a micro-residency at Buddies and a sharing of an artistic offering as a part of Buddies’ Queer Pride Festival in June 2026.

Applications for the 2025 – 26 Emerging Creators Unit have closed.

---

Past Participants

2025 // Emily Duckett, Srutika Sabu, Jonathan Stern
2024 // isi bhakhomen, Heddy Vargas Graterol, Sebastian Urmom
2023 // C4LDEIR4, James Knott, Marium Masood
2022 // Kalale Dalton-Lutale, Tan Vu
2021 // Ajahnis Charley, Janis Mayers, Babe Waters
2020 // Rochelle R, Gabe Maharjan & Merlin Simard
2019 // Ophira Calof, Brock Hessel, Shohana Sharmin, Jade Walker & Kasden Leo Indigo
2018 // Rhiannon Collett, Erum Khan, Kwaku Okyere, Heath V Salazar
2017 // Bilal Baig, Teiya Kasahara, François Macdonald, Sofia Rodriguez
2016 // Marina Moreira, Joshua Middleton, Chase Lo, Monica Garrido
2015 // kumari giles, Faith-Ann Mendes, Andre Prefontaine, Brian Postalian
2014 // Jackie Rowland, Ramon Vitung, Rory Jade Grey
2013 // Sina Gilani, Shaista Latif, Aemilius (Milo) Ramirez, Mx. Sly
2012 // Jamie Ebbs, Daniel Jelani Ellis, Michael David Lorsch, cassy walker
2011 // Meg Gennings, Olive-or-Oliver, Andrew Robinson, Evan Vipond
2010 // Cassandra Moore, Flerida Pena, Zita Nyaraty, Jonathan Schuster
2009 // Cole J. Alvis, Kim Crosby, Tawiah M’carthy, Rob Salerno
2008 // Jessica Michael Reynolds, Mark Shyzer, Alisha Stranges, Jordan Tannahill
2007 // Andrew Bathory, Shannon Curry, Waawaate Fobister, Dawn Nearing, Jay Stewart