In January of 2022, The New Harmony Project adopted a new vision for the future of our organization. We are committed to becoming a more just, equitable, antiracist, and impactful organization, and will utilize this strategic plan to lay the groundwork for intentional growth over the next three to five years. People are the priority of this plan; we will change the who in order to change the what and how, as we continue to serve as a creative wellspring for writers and artists who are interrogating the complexity of hope.
The New Harmony Project is a national arts organization whose mission is to nurture writers in the development of scripts and new works that interrogate the complexity of hope. Through artist-centered programming, we care for writers so they can change the world.
We will prioritize people over process, programs, or products.
We will be just, equitable, and antiracist.
We will build relationships that are authentic, mutually supportive, and in service to the needs of each person and project.
We will build community by connecting people to themselves and one another.
We will hold ourselves accountable.
In 2026, we’re over halfway through this organization-shifting strategic plan. It continues to serve as the inspiration for programming and decision-making. And the plan has led to sweeping changes in the organization:
We adopted a new mission that recognizes the complexity of hope, and a set of values that have guided each and every decision we make.
We received a record 532 applications for the 2025 residency, 51% of which came from applicants that identified as BIPOC. We were able to support 25 writers, with a full community of 51 (including staff, collaborating artists, interns, etc.). The community identified as: 68% BIPOC, 60% LGBTQ+, and 80% female or TGNC.
The 2025 selection team was comprised of 28 paid readers, representing the diversity of the community we were hoping to build.
We’ve reimagined and mobilized our board, and have just elected five new board members. Our board now identifies as 67% BIPOC, 67% female or TGNC, and 50% theatre writers.
We've built an infrastructure for staff including employee manuals, clearly defined roles, regular reviews of employees and programs, and a growth-focused budget.
We’ve built a structure to provide intentional support and care for the NHP community through quarterly alumni gatherings and newsletters, a new “Let’s Talk” program that uplifts alumni voices, a Dramaturgy Feedback program for alumni writers and freelance dramaturgs, and more.
In 2024 we launched PlayFest Indy, which is now a season of new play development opportunities for alumni writers in Indianapolis, partnering with Indianapolis producing theatre companies.
We continue to view this strategic plan as a guidepost for future programming and planning, and work to achieve the articulated goals. The impact of this strategic plan can be seen clearly in our FY25 Impact Report.