Strength Courage & Wisdom
RFP Open August 28, 2026
RFP Close October 8, 2026 (midnight)
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) seeks women identifying artists specializing in spoken word, poetry, storytelling, dance and music to perform in Strength Courage & Wisdom, our annual event celebrating Women’s History Month, on Saturday, March 27, 2027, 8pm, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue).
Strength Courage & Wisdom showcases 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 feminine energy. Every aspect of the evening is specifically crafted to amplify the power of women. From the front of house to backstage and everything in between.
In a time when innocent actions are being questioned, women’s bodies are being governed and public positions are being unnecessarily re-evaluated, this year’s theme speaks to reclaiming peace & joy. How do you create and maintain your peace and joy? All expressions/voices are welcome Artists selected for this event will receive a $250 stipend.
Eligibility:
- Current resident of NYC Metro (Long Island included). Priority given to Queens residents.
- Solo artists or duos only; no groups, collectives or ensembles will be considered.
- Artists must be 18 and over to participate
- · Please note this call is for performance artists only. We are not accepting visual artists at this time.
Submissions are accepted through the Submittabe platform 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 all elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.
A. Artist Bio (100 words max)
B. Artist Statement
Introduce yourself and how the submitted materials relate to the theme “peace & joy”. (500 words max)
C. 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); and how it relates to the theme of peace & joy
- Special performance elements, if appropriate; instruments, music, video, fabric etc.
Work will be reviewed based on quality and cohesiveness. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. 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 October 8, 2026, 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.
About JCAL
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts.
JCAL’s core service area is Southeast Queens. We welcome artists, learners, and audiences to the Jamaica Arts Center and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, both in downtown Jamaica, and to partner sites, such as the public schools and senior centers in Queens. We also welcome artists, learners, and audiences to partner projects at the Red Wall Art Gallery at Resorts World New York City, Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Greater Nexus, operated by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
When selecting artists, we give priority to those who live or practice in Southeast Queens, followed by artists from throughout the “world’s borough,” and then from the Greater New York City area and beyond. Our arts and education programs similarly aim to “super-serve” Queens audiences—and to welcome everyone to downtown Jamaica.
JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and is closed on major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit www.JCAL.org.
Contact: programsStrength Courage & Wisdom
RFP Open August 28, 2026
RFP Close October 8, 2026 (midnight)
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) seeks women identifying artists specializing in spoken word, poetry, storytelling, dance and music to perform in Strength Courage & Wisdom, our annual event celebrating Women’s History Month, on Saturday, March 27, 2027, 8pm, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue).
Strength Courage & Wisdom showcases 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 feminine energy. Every aspect of the evening is specifically crafted to amplify the power of women. From the front of house to backstage and everything in between.
In a time when innocent actions are being questioned, women’s bodies are being governed and public positions are being unnecessarily re-evaluated, this year’s theme speaks to reclaiming peace & joy. How do you create and maintain your peace and joy? All expressions/voices are welcome Artists selected for this event will receive a $250 stipend.
Eligibility:
• Current resident of NYC Metro (Long Island included). Priority given to Queens residents.
• Solo artists or duos only; no groups, collectives or ensembles will be considered.
• Artists must be 18 and over to participate
• Please note this call is for performance artists only. We are not accepting visual artists at this time.
Submissions are accepted through the Submittabe platform 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 all elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.
A. Artist Bio (100 words max)
B. Artist Statement
Introduce yourself and how the submitted materials relate to the theme “peace & joy”. (500 words max)
C. 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); and how it relates to the theme of peace & joy
• Special performance elements, if appropriate; instruments, music, video, fabric etc.
Work will be reviewed based on quality and cohesiveness. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. 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 October 8, 2026, 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.
About JCAL
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts.
JCAL’s core service area is Southeast Queens. We welcome artists, learners, and audiences to the Jamaica Arts Center and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, both in downtown Jamaica, and to partner sites, such as the public schools and senior centers in Queens. We also welcome artists, learners, and audiences to partner projects at the Red Wall Art Gallery at Resorts World New York City, Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Greater Nexus, operated by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
When selecting artists, we give priority to those who live or practice in Southeast Queens, followed by artists from throughout the “world’s borough,” and then from the Greater New York City area and beyond. Our arts and education programs similarly aim to “super-serve” Queens audiences—and to welcome everyone to downtown Jamaica.
JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and is closed on major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit www.JCAL.org.
Contact: programs@JCAL.org