The Watermill Center has hosted an International Summer Program every July and August since 1992 under the direction of founder Robert Wilson. Approximately 60-100 artists from over 30 countries spend five to six weeks collaborating in an intensive creative environment. Participants have opportunities to work with Robert Wilson and other professionals, forge relationships with artists internationally, and investigate what it means to be a global artist. The Summer Program provides daily meetings with Robert Wilson, lectures from cultural luminaries, use of rehearsal spaces and archives, and opportunities to perform in Wilson's productions and workshops. Participants collaboratively contribute to site-specific works and workshops, and assist with landscaping, construction, housekeeping, and grounds maintenance through a rigorous schedule under Wilson's direction

1. About The Watermill Center International Summer Program
Since 1992, The Watermill Center has hosted the International Summer Program under the direction
of Founder -and Artistic Director Robert Wilson. Each July and August, approximately 60-100 artists
from over 30 countries gather at Watermill’s Long Island, NY site. Participants spend five to six weeks
in an intense collaborative creative environment. The Summer Program provides a unique
opportunity to observe the development and performance methodologies of Robert Wilson and his
collaborators; to work with established professionals in the international performing arts world; to
forge relationships with artists from a broad range of experience levels and disciplines; to develop
networks of US and international professional contacts; and to investigate what it means to be a
“global artist.”
The Summer Program participants receive access to an extensive collection of resources central to
the Watermill experience: daily meetings with Robert Wilson; lectures on subjects including theater
and opera innovation, installation, design, and science led by international cultural luminaries,
established artists and scientists; opportunities to propose and develop new work for public
presentation during The Annual Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction and Discover Watermill
Day; 20,000 square feet of rehearsal/design spaces and outdoor stages; a theater production archive;
The Watermill Center Study Library; The Watermill Center Collection; and The Center’s eight-and-a-
half acre landscaped grounds and sculpture gardens. Participants will also have an opportunity to
audition for Robert Wilson’s summer staging rehearsals and to take part in workshops with his
collaborators.
The Watermill Summer Experience
During the International Summer Program, every participant collaboratively contributes to site-
specific works, performing arts project workshops, design project workshops as well as attending
lectures and taking part in landscaping and design/construction projects. Artists apply as individuals
and participate in all aspects of the programmed projects and activities.
The first half of the Summer Program builds toward one of our main public events, The Annual
Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction , which includes the creation of site-specific outdoor art
installations conceived by guest artists and select summer participants, who work together, side-by-
side. During the second half of the program, which includes one of our other main public offerings,
Discover Watermill Day, all Summer Program participants are invited to take part in table and staging
workshops with Robert Wilson and collaborators from upcoming international productions.
An artist works differently in an environment that he or she has helped to create and maintain. All
participants share in the responsibilities of daily life, including: housekeeping, cooking, cleaning, and
maintaining Watermill’s grounds and gardens. Daily physical labor, both indoors and outdoors,
including landscaping and construction of site-specific art installations, is an integral part of the
Summer Program.
Robert Wilson, his collaborators, and producers and specialists lead dozens of hands-on projects
during the Summer Program. Throughout the entire summer, all participants share in the work, both

2. creative and physical, on a rigorous schedule under the direction of Robert Wilson and a professional
staff.