INFO FOR ARTISTS - SCUBA 2008-2009

Request for Proposals
SCUBA National Touring Network for Dance
2008- 2009
Co-presented by the Southern Theater, ODC Theater, Velocity Dance Center and Philadelphia Dance Projects

Purpose of project: SCUBA Touring Network is a co-operative enterprise founded by Velocity Dance Center of Seattle, in conjunction with ODC Theater in San Francisco and The Southern Theater in Minneapolis. Philadelphia Dance Projects joined the network last season. From the beginning, SCUBA has met the ambitious goal of touring regionally established, nationally emerging artists to and from the participating cities. SCUBA strives to present these artists/tours through co-operative presenting and grassroots mobilization without sacrificing the highest standard of professionalism.

This is a request for application for inclusion in a roster of artists that will be considered by ODC Theater, Velocity Dance Center and Philadelphia Dance Projects - - some of which may be selected for the SCUBA Touring Network for this season. Artists may also be asked to participate in the Southern’s SCUBA performances.

Required Artists Attributes:

• Choreographers/choreographic collaborations who have produced/presented their own choreography locally for several years, but have not yet moved into regular national touring.
• Previous SCUBA recipients may not apply.
• An applicant must have produced choreography while living in Minnesota.
• Full-time students are not eligible.

Project Description: SCUBA Touring Network is in its sixth season. This program is geared towards the early to mid career artists who are looking to begin their national touring experience and have developed dance work ready for a small-scale tour. The artists chosen from the roster of Minnesota dance artists will get either get an evening-length performance or split an evening-length performance with another performer. The exact performance schedule is yet to be determined, but will dates will fall between February and May of 2009.

Choreographers and companies will also be asked to participate in outreach activities surrounding their performances, such as post-show discussion or teaching opportunities.

The final selected artist will receive the following:

• Presentation fees: Arts will receive an all-inclusive fee (this past year was $1500 per performance per venue). Fee levels for the coming year are not yet finalized, and may vary upwards or downwards from this amount. All costs for touring will be paid by the artists with that fee, including travel, accommodation and per diem. Venues may provide help in arranging housing.
• Marketing/PR: Marketing/PR will be provided for the artists by the co-presenters. The performances will be marketed and promoted to the press, as well as in the co-presenters own publicity materials. You will be asked to provide materials in a timely manner for this publicity, as well as for a printed program.
• Technical Support: Tech production support will be provided for the performances, including light design, overall technical direction, and light and sound operators. Technical equipment as owned by the co-presenters will be provided. A reasonable attempt will be made to accommodate any special needs, subject to time and budget constraints and consistent with the evening’s format; however artists may be asked to bear some or all of the cost of unusual production elements they request. Please be aware that SCUBA is a low budget initiative and a shared evening format with limited tech support for the performances. You are encouraged to apply with material that is easily adapted to a new theater space, with minimal tech requirements, and suitable for a shared evening.

Selection Process and Criteria:

• Between four and six choreographers/choreographic collaborations will be selected by a panel for the roster of Minnesota dance artists to be considered by other participating venues.
• The selection panel will consist of representatives from the Southern Theater and the Minnesota dance community. The panel will review application and videotapes to select the SCUBA roster of Minnesota artists.
• The panel will make decisions based on the quality and innovation of the artist’s work and suitability to the SCUBA program, based on the work sample and description in the application.
• The panel shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, sexual preference or national origin. The panel is open to all dance styles and aesthetics presented, with a particular interest in contemporary and innovative approaches to any given form or style.

The roster of Minnesota artists will then be offered to the selection committees in Seattle, San Francisco and Philadelphia, who will make the final decisions about artists to participate in SCUBA 2008-2009 by October 1st, 2008.

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:

• Written materials: The written portion of the SCUBA application must be typed. Submit four collated copies (original plus 3 copies). Do not staple copies.
  • Include a cover page with title SCUBA Touring Network 2008-2009 that also lists: choreographer(s) name, contact name (if different), address, phone numbers and e-mail address.
  • Please describe your aesthetic approach and the suitability of your work for this program. How would participating in SCUBA at this time be important or valuable to your development as an artist? (one page maximum)
  • Please provide a description of the work you intend to tour, its performance history and any modifications you would make if asked to tour the work to new venues. Discuss any technical issues the presenters should be aware of. (two page maximum)
  • Work Sample Information Sheet– see below (two page maximum)
• Resume: Please submit an artist resume or vitae (two page maximum)
• Press Kit: Demonstrate your ability to tour and interface with media and presenting organizations in other cities. If you have a web-based press kit, please provide a link.
• Work Sample:
  Please submit your strongest work samples, preferably created within the past few years, in order to demonstrate your readiness to tour. Include the work you intend to tour or the work that most closely represents the flavor of the work you intend to tour. Indicate clearly which piece is your first choice to tour for SCUBA and include this piece in its entirety. You are also encouraged to include up to two other works for consideration, knowing that if selected by any of the co-presenters, they may wish to consider these other works or contact you for more information. Please submit all samples on one videotape (VHS) or DVD. Any DVD submitted must be chaptered with individual pieces on separate chapters.
• Please also submit a Work Sample Information Sheet that clearly indicates the entire contents of the DVD or tape, and for each individual piece, include:
  • Running time
  • When and where the piece was performed
  • When it premiered, if different from above
  • Your role(s) in the work (i.e., sole choreographer, co-choreographer, performer, etc.)
  • Any other information you believe the panel will find useful in viewing your work

Please also clearly label the VHS/DVD (both box and media) with your name and the name(s) of the pieces.

If you are chosen for inclusion in the Minneapolis pool of artists, you will be asked to produce three additional copies of your work samples and work sample information.

Application Due Date: Friday, June 13, 2008
Received by 4:00 pm
The Southern Theater
1420 Washington Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Attn: SCUBA Application

Roster of artists will be notified by August 1, 2008

Please contact Dana Kassel at The Southern Theater with any questions regarding these application guidelines:
dana at southerntheater.org 612-340-0155, ext. 315.