Artist Opportunities with Athena Project
Athena Project has been amplifying the voices of women and underrepresented genders across a variety of artistic disciplines for over a decade. We offer paid opportunities for mostly live performers, especially: comedians, musicians, visual artists, and teaching artists across Denver and beyond. Take a look at current and past opportunities.
Looking to submit a script?
Currently Seeking: #ArtHeals Stories
Athena Project’s annual #ArtHeals campaign shares personal experiences of healing through the arts from women, trans, and/or nonbinary people. This year, our focus is collective: how does ART HEAL COMMUNITIES?
And by community, we mean it broadly—a neighborhood, cultural group, classroom, choir, survivor community, faith community, disability community, or simply a group of people connected by a shared experience.
If art has helped people find one another, endure something together, reclaim something, celebrate, grieve, or simply feel less alone, we want to hear about it.
When you work with Athena, you get more than a stage. You get advocacy on your behalf, dramaturgical support if you’re a playwright, community engagement and partnerships, and an audience that shows up specifically to connect with artists like you. You get paid. And you become part of a network that has been building this community in Denver and beyond since 2012.
What Could You Submit?
Maybe it was…
- a mural that helped a neighborhood tell its story;
- a performance that made a community feel seen;
- a creative gathering that became a lifeline;
- or one unforgettable moment when you thought: Oh. These are my people.
You might be the artist behind the experience, but you do not have to be. You might have participated in the work, helped make it happen, or simply been changed by experiencing it.
Your story can come from Colorado or anywhere else, online or in person, recent or long ago.
What We’re Looking For
Share an experience:
Send us a short MP4 video of under one minute or one or more photos/images, plus a brief story of the experience (up to 150 words).
Share a therapeutic offering:
Tell us about an arts-related healing program, service, or practice created for an established community.
Or share both!
And if you have more than one story or offering, you are welcome to submit the form more than once.
Please make sure you own the material you submit or have permission to share it. The form will also walk you through credits, permissions, and how you would like to be identified. Anonymous submissions are welcome.
The #ArtHealsCommunities campaign kicks off September 27, with stories and offerings shared across Athena Project’s social media channels and blog.
Why Work With Athena?
Athena Project was built on a simple conviction: women and gender-diverse artists are doing some of the most vital creative work happening right now, and the arts industry has historically underpaid them for it. We exist to change that, one equitably paid artist at a time.
When you work with Athena, you get more than a stage. You get advocacy on your behalf, dramaturgical support if you’re a playwright, community engagement and partnerships, and an audience that shows up specifically to connect with artists like you. You get paid. And you become part of a network that has been building this community in Denver and beyond since 2012.
Who We're Looking For
We amplify the voices of women, nonbinary, gender-diverse, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ artists at every stage of their career. If you make art and your identities intersect, there is a place for you here.
Who can submit:
Women, nonbinary, gender-diverse, and LGBTQIA+ artists. All career stages welcome. Denver-Metor based and national opportunities available depending on the program.
Pay equity commitment
Every artist Athena Project works with is paid for their contributions. Pay equity isn’t a goal — it’s a requirement. We change the world one paid underrepresented artist at a time.
Other Opportunities
Current openings across our programs. Each opportunity links to a dedicated page with full details, eligibility, and how to apply.
Read & Rant
Monthly play development series for women and underrepresented gender playwrights. Free. Virtual. Open nationally. Dramaturg feedback guaranteed.
Curating Art for Impact
We partner with Denver businesses to bring pop-up performances and art experiences to the community. Paid work for performers, musicians, comedians, and visual artists.
Creative Arts Workshops
Bring your space to life with ready-to-go arts workshops led by Denver-area artists. Fit for teens 12-18yrs old or centered on women 55+.
Digital Campaigns
Mobile art activations and community performances across the Denver metro. We pay artists to bring their work out of traditional venues and into neighborhoods.
How to Submit
Choose Your Program
Browse the open opportunities above and find the one that fits your practice. Each program page has full eligibility details.
Fill out the Form
Each program has its own application. Most are short — we respect your time.
Hear back from us
We review all submissions and follow up with next steps. Timeline varies by program — check the individual opportunity page for details.
Past Artist Opportunities
Arist FAQ
Are artists paid for their work?
Yes. Athena Project is committed to paying all artists for their contributions. Pay equity is central to our mission, not an afterthought.
Do I need to be based in Denver?
It depends on the program. Read & Rant is fully virtual and open nationally. Programs like Creative Arts Workshops and community performances usually require Denver-area presence but if you’re willing to travel, apply anyway! Check individual program pages for details.
What art forms does Athena Project support?
Theatre and playwriting, music and performance, visual art, dance, spoken word, teaching artists, comedy, fashion and more. Different programs serve different disciplines — browse the open opportunities above to find your fit.
I'm early in my career. Can I still apply?
Yes. We work with artists at all stages of development and especially encourage early and mid-career artists to submit. Athena Project values the creative process as much as the finished work.