Strength Courage & Wisdom 

RFP Open October 10, 2025

RFP Close November 18, 2025 (midnight)

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning seeks artists specializing in spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and dance to perform in Strength  Courage & Wisdom, our annual event celebrating Women’s History Month, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, 8pm, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue).

Strength Courage & Wisdom exposes the range of women's voices. Whether it's their natural tongue that comes in like a lamb or the boom of their chosen expression that has the roar of a lion. Conceived in 2024 by JCAL’s Director of Program Operations, Wendy Arimah Berot, who also serves as the event’s curator, Strength Courage & Wisdom overflows with strong, sustaining female energy. Every aspect of the evening has a woman at the helm, from the front of house to backstage and everything in between.

This year, we’ll explore all angles of “courage to love.” We encourage women artists only to submit artistic interpretations of what that means. Regardless of the type of love: self, family, career, romantic, or current station in life etc. What courageous steps have you taken to love? All expressions/voices are welcome. Please note this call is for performance artists only. We are not accepting visual artists at this time. Artists selected for this event will each receive a $250 stipend. 

Eligibility:

• Current resident of NYC Metro (Long Island included). Priority given to Queens residents.
• Solo artists or duos only; no collectives or collaborations will be considered.
• No Artists under 21 may participate.

Application Materials, Video only, (Please do not send hard copies of poems, stories, or spoken word pieces.)

Only one application per artist will be accepted. A completed application must contain elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.

A. Artist Statement

Introduce yourself and how the submitted materials relate to the theme “Courage to Love”.(500 words max) 

B. Works for Consideration

Submit up to 4 individual works that are original to you, as follows:

Title, date conceived (if applicable) and last date performed. 

Short description of each work (100 words max);

Special performance elements directions, if appropriate.

Work will be reviewed based on quality and the completeness of the accompanying application. You may be contacted with follow-up questions regarding the nature of the work and the manner of intended performance.

JCAL reserves the right to not select work that does not align with the institution’s mission. Submissions received after midnight on November 18, 2025 will not be considered. 

JCAL welcomes artists of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic and marital statuses. Those who identify as part of underrepresented communities, and whose work centers on the artist’s personal experiences and observations, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.

Please note:

JCAL does not offer feedback in any form on applications and/or submitted works.