Applications open for Dance/USA artist fellowships
25 artists nationally to receive unrestricted awards
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET
Dance/USA invites initial applications from dance artists for Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists.
One of the few regranting programs available to independent artists with an unrestricted financial award, DFA supports dance and movement-based artists from across the U.S. and its territories who work at the intersection of social and embodied practices. DFA recognizes the wide variety of ways in which people engage in social transformation through dance, which often do not fit into established models of arts funding. This includes community-building and culture-bearing practices, healing and storytelling practices, activism and representational justice practices, and more.
DFA will award $31,000 to at least 25 individual artists, to be used at their own discretion. Artists are invited to submit an initial application by Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET. Keep reading for information about available application support and coaching.
To date, 61 choreographers, dance artists, artist activists and dance-related community organizers from across the U.S. have received a DFA Fellowship since the program was created in 2018. DFA works closely with its fellows and other artists from across the dance ecosystem in program design, panel review, and service offerings as a reciprocal system of support. Access the Round One and Round Two Dance/USA Artist fellows. Learn more about DFA on the Dance/USA website.
Dance/USA is committed to inclusion, justice, and accessibility, and places Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities at the center of the organization’s decision-making.
Information for Artists
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET
- 50 finalists will be invited to submit a full application in the spring of 2025.
- The fellowship year will take place from the fall of 2025 to the fall 2026.
- Access the DFA program overview and guidelines.
Proposal Coaching
Dance/USA offers free proposal coaching to applicants who are interested in this optional service. Coaching sessions are 30-minute calls for the applicant to briefly discuss their draft application with an application coach.
Coaches are hired consultants, experts in the field who can help you gain insight into connecting your application to the program goals and objectives. Proposal coaches do not participate in application review or selection and cannot advise if your project will be selected. The DFA proposal coaches are:
- Holly Bass
- Prathiba Bately
- Delphine Lai
- Yvonne Montoya
- James Scruggs
This coaching is intended to offer helpful tips to complete the DFA application but does not guarantee funding. Applicants must read the guidelines before their session. Schedule a 30-minute call with a coach now.
Coaching sessions are only offered until Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. After that time, applicants can still email or call Dance/USA with general questions but will not receive 30-minute coaching sessions.
You may also set up coaching sessions by reaching out to Dance/USA.
Assistance
For questions, please contact Haowen Wang, Dance/USA Director of Regranting (email Haowen for more information or call 202.460.9215). ASL and spoken language interpretation services are available upon request.
About the Doris Duke Foundation
The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. To learn more, visit DorisDuke.org.
About Dance/USA
Propelled by our belief that dance can inspire a more just and humane world, Dance/USA will amplify the power of dance to inform and inspire a nation where creativity and the field thrive.
Established in 1982, Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating, and supporting individuals and organizations. Dance/USA’s core programs are focused in the areas of engagement, advocacy, research, and preservation. Learn more about Dance/USA at DanceUSA.org.