Mission Statement
The Boston Public Library is committed to offering a diverse lineup of programming to the children of Boston. The Children’s Musician Residency is intended to support an early career musician entering the children’s music industry. This residency supports their development of a stage presence and provides an introduction to a network of library workers in the greater Boston area ready to hire in years to come.
Children's Musician Residency
The Boston Public Library is looking for a Children’s Musician! They will create, develop, and implement musical performances for children between the ages of 0-12. The application process opens September 15 and closes October 25, 2025.
The residency begins January 1, 2026 and runs until the December 31, 2026 and will be the Children’s Musician-In-Residence for all open Boston Public Library locations.
Benefits of Residency
- A total stipend of ($20,000) paid in four installments: January, March, June, October 2026
- A forum for the presentation/promotion of work created or completed during the residency
Terms & Expectations of Residency
- Residency will run from January 1-December 31, 2026
- Musician will pass a CORI check before residency begins
- Musician will prioritize availability during school vacation weeks of February 16-20 and April 20-24, 2026
- Musician will work with BPL staff to coordinate dates and times of performances in first week of residency
- Any programs cancelled for sickness, weather, or unforeseeable conditions will be rescheduled and performed within the terms of the residency
- Creation/Implementation of 15 (30-60 minutes in length) morning (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) performances for an audience of young children (ages 0-5) for the duration of the residency
- Creation/Implementation of 10 (30-60 minutes in length) afternoon (2-5 p.m.) music workshops for an audience of older children (ages 9-12) for the duration of the residency
- Musician will attend two meetings of children’s librarians, to share their background and be introduced to staff
- Musician will meet once with the Library’s Digital Experience Librarian, to discuss maintaining a business web presence
- Musician will meet twice with the Library’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence, to discuss elements of being a small business owner
Musician Criteria
- Musician must be over 21 years of age
- Musician has not performed for children at the Library before
- Musician must be a City of Boston resident
- Applicant has musical background, is able to play at least one instrument, and sing
- Applicant has not already performed musical shows for the Boston Public Library
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A strong interest in engaging with children across age groups; previous experience is desired
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Enthusiasm for collaborating with library staff and young people, to co-create tools for inclusive youth-centered library practices and spaces
Application
- Resume
- Area of Focus
- A statement of purpose: what you plan to accomplish using the time, and facilities if you are awarded a residency
- Two references (including contact information) who can attest to your ability to participate and work within an artistic community. If selected, your references will be contacted by the Boston Public Library during the review process.
- Provide any experience working with young children
- Two videos of song performance. Each time-based work sample should be up to two minutes in length or less. Do not include external links to media samples or websites. Do not include multiple page pdfs as one media sample. Do not include trailer video samples
- Your vision for the programming you will do as part of your residency
- Description of the work you will do for the 24 performances
- Desired outcomes
How To Apply
- Submit an application through the link below.
- Applications are due October 25, 2025.
- Considered applicants will be invited in for an in-person audition on November 6.
- Decisions will be made by early December.
Award Notification
Recipient will be notified in early December.
If you were not chosen, you will be notified by email.
Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to apply for the next round.
Once a resident has been chosen, they will meet with Youth Programs Librarian Maggie Levine and Youth Program Support Adminstrator Angela Espinal to coordinate with Branches and create their schedule of play.