Choreography
Fellowships
What is the McKnight Artist Fellowships for Choreographers
Program?
This Southern Theater program awards three $25,000 fellowships to professional Minnesota choreographers each year. McKnight Fellowships have been awarded to choreographers since 1981. The Southern Theater has been the administrative host for this program since 2002. The program is one of twelve Artist Fellowship programs funded by the McKnight Foundation of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How
do I apply for a Fellowship?
Specific directions on how to apply are available on this web site in the form of a pdf guideline brochure.
There are two parts to the application process:
(1) Submit the online “Intent to Apply form” and notify us of your upcoming performances using the “Performance Calendar Form” by September 2, 2009.
(2) Submit a final application by mail by March 22, 2010.
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What
is the deadline?
There are two application deadlines:
-
Intent to Apply deadline is: Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Submission via online Intent to Apply Form.
- Final Application deadline is: Monday, March 22, 2010. This is
NOT a postmark deadline. Applications must be received in our office by 5pm.
I’ve
missed the Intent to Apply deadline. Can I still submit a final
application?
You must submit an Intent to Apply prior to submitting a final application. If you’ve missed the Intent to Apply deadline, you may still submit a late Intent to Apply. But keep two things in mind: (1) please know that it is to your advantage to submit an Intent to Apply on time and (2) if you do miss the “Intent” deadline, please submit it
as soon as
possible afterward.
Do
the guidelines change from year to year?
The guidelines have not changed significantly from last year, however the guidelines have been updated and it is important that you read carefully all information in the brochure. New this year, you may submit 20 minutes of work sample DVD and you must include excerpts from a minimum of 3 different works.
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What
are the eligibility requirements?
Applicants must be residents of Minnesota for at least one year prior to applying, Applicants may not be full-time students. Recipients of 2007, 2008, and 2009 McKnight Choreography Fellowships are not eligible. Applicants to this program may not apply to any other McKnight Fellowship program in the same year. Furthermore, fellows must remain in residence during the fellowship year or forfeit the award. Please see complete information on eligibility requirements in the guidelines.
I
am part of a choreographic collaboration or have been in the past.
What do I (we) we need to keep in mind when applying?
The only collaborative teams eligible to apply for this program are collaborations amongst or between choreographers, not between choreographers and artists in other disciplines. If you are applying as a choreographic collaboration, keep in mind that all application materials, especially work samples, should support the work of the collaboration, and should not relate to individual choreographic work. The panel will look for a significant body of work as a team. Conversely, if you have been part of choreographic collaboration in the past and are now applying individually, your materials, most particularly your work samples, should clearly show your work as an independent choreographer and the panel will look for a significant body of work as an individual.
What
are the Fellowships for?
Fellowships are available to choreographers to support their work and artistry. The Fellowships are not project grants, and applicants are not required to submit a project proposal for panel approval. Applicants cannot attend school full-time during the Fellowship year and the fellowships funds may not be used to support work associated with a degree program. However, fellowships may be used to support professional study. If you have further questions about what the fellowship may support, please contact us at
fellowships at southerntheater.org.
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Who
reviews the applications?
A panel of one out-of-state and four area arts professionals reviews applications and selects fellows. Panelists are knowledgeable about choreographic work and the panel represents a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise. The panel makeup changes each year. The panel is confidential and names of panelists are not revealed until after the selection process is complete.
Will
panelists see my work live? How do I let the panel know about my
live performances?
Yes, panelists attend live performances throughout the season. The panel is available to see work prior to the Intent to Apply deadline and continues to see work until the third week of May.
We will inform the panel of all upcoming performances of which we are aware, so please keep us informed. To do so, please submit the online “Performance Calendar Form.” You should fill out this form when you submit your Intent to Apply, letting us know about your performances for the entire season. You may add performances throughout the year, however please give as much lead time as possible (minimum one month is recommended).
What
should I say in my artist’s statement?
Since the fellowship is an award for an artist and a body of work (rather than a specific project), we suggest using the artist’s statement to help the panel get a better idea of who you are as an artist. The statement may take any one of several directions: you may choose to write about your background, the development of your work, your particular interests as an artist or your aesthetic position, your future direction or anything else pertinent to your art. Do keep in mind that the artist statement is not a project proposal. You may if you wish talk about your plans for the fellowship year, but it is not required.
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For
my work sample should I show only recent work or older work or both
It is best to submit work that covers a span of time, making sure to include a good dose of recent work. Applicants who do not submit recent work (last 1-2 years) will be at a disadvantage.
If you have previously received a choreography fellowship, your work sample
must focus on work since your last award. You must submit samples from at least three different works.
I’ve
received a fellowship in a previous year. Can I reapply?
You may reapply if you received a choreography fellowship in 2006 or earlier. You are not eligible to apply if you received a choreography fellowship in 2007, 2008 or 2009.
I
have questions about the fellowship that aren’t covered here.
Who can I contact?
Email
fellowships at southerntheater.org
or call Program Director Mary Ellen Childs at 612-340-0155 ext.
321.
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Can
I get assistance with my application?
Yes, email us at
fellowships at southerntheater.org
with your questions or to schedule a phone appointment. In the weeks
prior to the final deadline, Program Director Mary Ellen Childs
is available at specified times for individual in-person appointments
to review application materials and answer your questions.
Can I get feedback from my application after selections are made
Yes, you may make a phone appointment to receive feedback from the Program Director.
Are
there any web sites offering more information about other grants
or services for choreographers?
- For
more information about the McKnight Foundation Arts Program, including
data and perspective about the arts in Minnesota in a report titled
“State of the Arts,” go to
www.mcknight.org/arts.
-
www.mnartists.org
is a collaborative online project of the McKnight Foundation and
the Walker Art Center, with information about artists and topics
of interest to artists.
- Springboard
for the Arts (www.springboardforthearts.org)
is based in St. Paul, Minnesota and offers various services for
artists and non-profit arts organizations.
- Minnesota
State Arts Board (www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/artists.html).
Minnesota State Arts Board offers grants to Minnesota artists.
Also see their “Opportunities for Artists” page for information on other artist opportunities.
- Bush
Foundation Artist Fellows Program (www.bushfoundation.org)
Highly competitive and highly remunerative, these fellowships
are open to artists in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota.
- Dance/USA (www.danceusa.org) is a national service organization for professional dance.
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