About The Watermill Center
Founded in 1992 by avant-garde visionary and theater director Robert Wilson, The Watermill Center is an interdisciplinary laboratory for the arts and humanities situated on ten acres of Shinnecock ancestral territory on Long Island’s East End. With an emphasis on creativity and collaboration, Watermill integrates performing arts practice with resources from the humanities, research from the sciences and inspiration from the visual arts. The Center is unique within the global landscape of experimental artistic practice and regularly convenes the brightest minds from across disciplines to do, in Wilson’s words, “what no one else is doing.”
History
Searching for a new artistic base and incubator for his work, theater director Robert Wilson found a former Western Union research facility in 1986. Abandoned since the 1960s, the building, on the outpost of the Shinnecock Reservation in Water Mill, NY, was in terrible condition, but it had the potential he had been looking for. The building also had a storied history as it was the site where the stylus for the first fax machine had been developed.
Robert Wilson
“a towering figure in the world of experimental theater and an explorer in the uses of time and space on stage.” —The New York Times
Born in Waco, Texas, Wilson is among the world’s foremost theater and visual artists. His works for the stage unconventionally integrate a wide variety of artistic media, including dance, movement, lighting, sculpture, music and text. His images are aesthetically striking and emotionally charged, and his productions have earned the acclaim of audiences and critics worldwide.
Foundation
The Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation, operator of The Watermill Center, is an organization founded by Robert Wilson to provide a supportive environment for emerging artists to explore new ideas and foster their career development. Watermill provides a haven for the next generation of artists who embrace avant-garde, multidisciplinary approaches. The Foundation also documents the work of Robert Wilson and his collaborators and manages The Robert Wilson Archive and The Watermill Study Library. A not-for-profit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, The Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation was chartered in 1969 in the State of New York.
Partnerships
Partnerships with The Watermill Center allow us to expand our ability to engage a growing number of artists, community members, and students through our year-round programming.
Artist Partnerships give additional support for artists to participate in our International Summer Program, Artist Residency Program, and opportunities outside of The Watermill Center
Education Partnerships support Watermill’s year-round education initiatives, engaging local educators, children, and families through creative workshops.
Programming Sponsorships support the expansion of The Center’s year-round programming through exhibitions, lectures, workshops and special events.
Careers
Join our dedicated team of talented colleagues who share a passion for the arts, and help us continue our mission of providing artists with the time, space and freedom to create and inspire.
The Watermill Center and Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation are equal opportunity employers, dedicated to creating a welcoming and diverse workplace.
