The Project

A historic guest ranch, located in Wickenburg, Arizona, is available for artist residency programs designed to foster creative, collaborative and performance projects of established performing artists. Each residency is designed to allow artistic companies the opportunity to pursue new projects, mount work or collaborate with other artists, free from everyday pressures.

The Guest Ranch

The dude ranch is open to guests October through May each year. Situated on 20,000-acres of the high Sonoran desert, the ranch is the perfect retreat to research, create and develop new work without the distractions of everyday life.

Residency Details

Up to three residency projects are selected each year. The residencies are flexible in length up to 2 weeks and are available in October – December 2023 and January 2024.

Companies, including artists, managers and associated production staff up to 25 members, are provided guest rooms, daily housekeeping, three meals a day in a social setting, rehearsal space and ranch amenities. The ranch’s staff and service team are available during the entire residency.

Individual artists and companies are responsible for transportation to and from Wickenburg and local ground transportation. Also, if the work being prepared is a commissioned piece, the company is responsible for any associated fees. Limited funding is available to non-profit companies and organizations; for-profit arts organizations are also welcome.

Community Outreach

Outreach is an integral part of the residency program as participants are required to offer free, open rehearsals to expose the general public to their art form and the creative process. Open rehearsals may include watching choreographers create a new dance, attending music rehearsals or watching actors and directors build a dramatic scene. Participatory interactions with the artists and directors may include question and answer sessions or witnessing the technical staging of a new piece with blocking, music, sound and light cues under consideration.

In culmination of their Residency, artistic companies present a repertory piece on the Webb Center’s stage as a part of the annual “Webb Center Presents” series, exposing Arizona audiences to the company. After the residency, the company finalizes the new work and tours it on a national and international level.

Funding

The RH Johnson Foundation, Wellik Foundation, WESTAF and National Endowment for the Arts provide grant support to the Webb Center to host the artists or companies selected to participate in the residency programs. The grants provide for artist stipends, lodging and meals at the guest ranch.