The mission of the Story/Arts Residency is to showcase the creative work of locally-based storytellers of all mediums hailing from BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and other historically marginalized groups.

This program is open to both individual applicants, as well as applicants hailing from arts organizations or groups that fit within the residency’s mission.

We are especially interested in applicants who cross disciplines, embrace collaboration, and present a residency proposal that embodies the core elements of storytelling through all art forms. Artists are encouraged to get creative (think: dinner theatre experiences, immersive puppetry shows, multi-media productions, etc) while also utilizing our space in new and innovative ways.

Each residency night can feature the same performance, or residents can choose to present a different offering each week. It is encouraged, however, that each residency night be able to stand on its own, without being reliant on folks having attended the full residency run. We’ve found different iterations presented each residency night—even if slight—encourage repeat attendance from audience members, and so encourage applicants to consider creative ways to tend toward building attendance and community.

At this point, we are not accepting works for exhibitions and will give preference to collaborative and performative pieces.

Furthermore, we are not accepting work that exclusively features religious or anti-religious themes; or political messaging/fundraising of any kind.

Applications open February 1 and are due by April 1. The Story/Arts selection committee will determine its summer artist-in-residence no later than May 10, allowing for two months of preparations.

The summer residency will take place the final three Thursday evenings in July. Typically, May is spent fine-tuning the program concept and details, with June dedicated to rehearsals, marketing, and iteration as needed. The artist-in-residence will have access to the space for rehearsal throughout June (subject to the Story Parlor calendar availability), in addition to one tech rehearsal in advance of opening.

The 2024 summer residency dates are:

Thursday, July 11
Thursday, July 18
Thursday, July 25

Please only apply if you are available all three residency dates!

Story/Arts Residents receive….

Three dedicated residency nights

A $500 stipend

Two creativity coaching sessions during their residency

A professional headshot session

Dedicated time for rehearsal

Captured video from one of their performances

Marketing + promotion

Our first artist-in-residence, Gina Cornejo, presented a multimedia piece entitled “Dirty Laundry” — an intimate, autobiographical, and immersive performance in collaboration with Stewart/Owen Dance. The three-week run featured live, cringeworthy-yet-charming, genre-bending performances aimed at unearthing gritty topics that are often left buried.

Each night had a special culinary surprise in store, and featured film, dance, storytelling, spoken word, and music.

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Meta Commerse presented a two-part creative investigation of resistance, racial healing, and finding voice through the power of story. The first iteration featured a one-woman-show involving an interweaving of monologue, music, images, movement, and selected excerpts from her memoir, Womaning. For the second half of her residency, Commerse led an interactive "Story as Legacy" workshop, exploring the African proverb, "Each time an elder dies, it is as if a library has burned" in an intentional, conscious way.“

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Shunyu Huang presented the Memory Quilt Project. Inspired by the Chinese Proverb 求同存異 (Qiu Tong Cun Yi), meaning “Strive for unity in diversity,” this three-part immersive residency was committed to finding common ground and shared understanding while respecting and appreciating the existence of diverse perspectives, opinions, and cultures.

Embracing the Appalachian tradition of quilt-making, the residency paid homage to this cherished art form, with the goal of stitching together narratives, memories, and cultural heritage through story.

Each evening of the residency, the audience bore witness to locals in the community as they shared memories inspired by the five senses through the transformative power of art and stories. Then, Shunyu led the audience in a community circle where guests were encouraged to contribute their own stories, memories, and sensory items to further enrich the fabric of this community quilt-making project.

“It’s with monumental gratitude that [Story Parlor] allows a space of vulnerability and creative conversation to thrive - one without a competitive nature, but with the goal of mutual support.

My hope that more unapologetic, courageous storytellers take this stage with vigor. The leadership and natural mentorship I have received from [Story Parlor] has been enthusiastic and full of trust. It’s new and important knowledge that Story Parlor is here in Asheville to embrace vulnerability within our personal stories and our collective ones. What I see in the foundation of Story Parlor is compassionate resilience and I am overjoyed to be a part of this tender and fierce movement forward.” - Gina Cornejo

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"A residency is a special gift that honors the work of an artist, regardless of career stage. This is so true at the Story Parlor because of all the built-in support! From the very start, it was clear to me that they absolutely wanted to help shine the light on my work, and the support was focused and palpable. At Story Parlor you're at home." - Meta Commerse

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“As a person of color who has a strong desire to share stories, Story Parlor has shown me endless grace within the local creative community. I’m forever grateful for such a safe place for those who dare to share and those who are not afraid to listen.” - Shunyu Huang