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Tranzac Performance Residency Program: October 2026 - March 2027

Apply now to Tranzac's performance residency program!

  • Zoom info session (see below)July 9, 2026
  • Deadline to applyJuly 24, 2026
  • Notifications regarding residenciesAugust 24, 2026 - September 4, 2026
  • Residency orientationSeptember 14, 2026 - September 25, 2026
  • Residency periodOctober 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027

Tranzac is inviting artists, groups, curators, ensembles and organizations to apply to our performance residency program for October 2026 - March 2027.

Tranzac's intimate Southern Cross Lounge (capacity: 58, approximately 45 seated) has long been home to many performance residencies that are at the heart of Tranzac's programming and identity. These artist-led performance residencies take place in two-hour time slots; shows are PWYC, and Tranzac also pays artists 10% of the bar sales (with the exception of community groups/jams). Sound is DIY (do it yourself). Tranzac has a full backline, including drums and a piano. Successful applicants will have access to sound orientation workshops and troubleshooting tech support in advance of shows. It is recommended that you or your collaborators have some experience doing your own sound as assistance during shows is not available.

These monthly residencies (one show per month for six months) can be used as an opportunity to explore themes in curation, presentation, performance, or collaboration; to experiment with new arrangements, accompaniment, or genres; to road-test new material before recording, share new work, build audience and community, and more.

Tranzac's Performance Residency Program is intended for local artists and presenters; if you live out of town, please consider emailing southerncross@tranzac.org to inquire about booking a one-off event instead of applying for a residency.

Tranzac is host to many communities and disciplines. Our multifaceted approach to programming, as well as the high volume of events we host, means that there is not a built-in audience for any given event. It is therefore the responsibility of successful applicants to promote their residency. Applicants will be asked how they plan to advertise and draw an audience. Preference may be given to applicants who demonstrate a strong plan for audience development and community engagement.

Because Tranzac does not receive operating funding for this program and does not retain ticket revenue or merchandise sales, the sustainability of the residency program depends on artists bringing an audience that supports the venue through bar purchases. Applicants should have a realistic plan for audience development and promotion (in conjunction with Tranzac's promo).

Info Session:

Register for a Zoom info session on applying to Tranzac's Performance Residency Program on Thursday July 9, 5 - 7 pm here.

FAQs

  • A sound orientation workshop prior to the start of your residency
  • Six monthly performance slots (*holidays and full building rentals may require rescheduling or missing a month)
  • 10% of bar sales after each performance (applies only to sales attributed to members of your audience)
  • Money from "the hat" (a jug to be passed around during events)
  • Inclusion in Tranzac's website and events listings
  • To be engaged with a variety of creative communities who call Tranzac home
  • This is a performance residency (not a development residency, workshop, or rehearsal residency)
  • All events in the Southern Cross are unticketed, pay what you can/no one turned away for lack of funds. Collecting admission at the door is discouraged.
  • Time slots are two hours long, and switchover time between events is limited to 30 minutes.
  • Sound is DIY, free use of backline is provided.
  • Tranzac does not have a built-in or walk-in crowd and artists and presenters are expected to promote events through their own channels (websites, newsletters, social media, etc) as well as Tranzac's.
  • Tranzac houses three event spaces under one roof, and there is often simultaneous programming in other rooms. Although Tranzac underwent a soundproofing renovation to mitigate soundbleed, you may contend with sound from other rooms.
  • The Southern Cross is a small room, facing a residential street, so performers do not need to rely on volume to be heard. In the interest of protecting the hearing of artists, audiences and staff, and to avoid noise complaints from our residential neighbours, we ask that you keep your performance under 84db.
  • Residency artists, guests, and all performers and attendees are expected to abide by Tranzac's Code of Conduct. The organizer/host of each residency or event is expected to embody the Code of Conduct and ensure that their guests and collaborators are aware of and follow the Code of Conduct.
  • Tell us about yourself and your artistic practice (who is part of your project?, what creative communities do you belong to?, what kind of music or poetry, comedy, etc do you create?)
  • Let us know what special guests you are planning to invite to participate in your residency (a full list of proposed guests is not necessary but can contribute to a strong application)
  • What do you think makes your residency a good fit for the Southern Cross? Why would you like to do a residency at Tranzac and why do you think your concept will work well in this space?
  • Let us know how you plan to engage with and attract an audience - how will you spread the word about your residency series?
  • If you're unfamiliar with performances in the Southern Cross, we recommend that you attend a few performances to see how other artists use the space/run events here. Here's what's coming up at Tranzac
  • Write about how your proposed residency will impact not just your artistic practice but also your wider community
  • For artistic samples, you can share links to your best work and/or links to works in progress that are related to your proposed residency; for curators/events with a variety of participating artists, you can choose two strong examples from artists involved in your residency plan
  • We strongly recommend that you write your application clearly, concisely and in your own words; please avoid using ChatGPT/AI in your applications.

Assessment process:

In your application you will be asked to describe the proposed activity of your residency and to provide two samples of your work (two active links, no downloads). Please ensure your links work and are not password protected. Due to the volume of applications received, we will not be able to follow up with you if your examples are inaccessible.

Applicants will be assessed by a peer jury made up of artists, Tranzac staff and board members.

Considerations include:

  • The impact of the proposed residency on the participant's artistic and career development, and the artistic communities they are involved in
  • Is the proposed residency a good fit for Tranzac's performance residency program? Is the concept viable given the time and space constraints and DIY setup of the Southern Cross?
  • Does the proposed residency or something similar already have a home at Tranzac or elsewhere?
  • Does the proposed residency demonstrate the ability to build and engage an audience, including a realistic promotion and outreach plan?
  • Consideration will be given to supporting artists and artistic communities who have not previously intersected with Tranzac
  • Applications are welcome from both new and returning artists. The jury will consider the overall balance of the residency program when making selections.

About Tranzac's residency program:

For decades Tranzac has been hosting regular live music events in the Southern Cross that have gradually evolved and expanded into one of the largest performance residency programs of its kind in North America. Most residencies are monthly two hour time slots, with the artist(s) involved often acting as composer, performer, collaborator, curator and host for the series, and inviting in other guests.

Tranzac's current performance residency roster includes 70+ artists, ensembles and jams, contributing to the 1000+ performances that occur annually in the Southern Cross. A few residencies also take place down the hall in the Living Room, which acts primarily as a rental space. Though the bulk of Tranzac's residencies remain musical, we have been expanding the program to include poetry, comedy and multidisciplinary events as well as diversifying the range of live music that the program supports.

After this residency period, which runs October 2026 - March 2027, we will repeat the call for new residencies for April 2027 - September 2027.

Apply Now!

Questions?

Contact Sarah Greene at