FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2024
Contact: Johanna Tschebull
Dance/USA, the national service organization for the dance ecosystem, invites initial applications from dance artists for the third iteration of Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists (DFA), generously funded by the Doris Duke Foundation. The initial application period is open until August 15, 2024 at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT.
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. As part of their Fellowship experience, the Artist Fellows will have the option to participate in an emergent programming process that honors the Fellows’ choices around connection, rest, and desire. The facilitated process will be self-directed by the artists and administratively supported by Dance/USA. The program also offers the Fellows additional resources including one-on-one consultations with professional advisors, underwriting professional photography/headshot, press support, access for Disabled Artist Fellows, and family care/childcare subsidies during required Fellow cohort meetings.
Artists are invited to submit an initial application by Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT. Access the DFA program overview and guidelines.
”DFA plays a crucial role in the dance ecosystem by amplifying the voices and visions of artists addressing social change through dance. The unrestricted nature of the funds honors their humanity and imbues trust – two critical values embedded in DFA,” said Dance/USA Executive Director Kellee Edusei.
“We are glad to partner with Dance/USA to support the DFA program,” said Ashley Ferro-Murray, program director for the arts at the Doris Duke Foundation. “With these Fellowships, we aim to uplift the importance of unrestricted funds that help create the conditions artists need to thrive. We look forward to seeing how this program might impact this new group of Fellows.”
About DFA and the Artist Fellows
Sixty-one artists and culture bearers from across the U.S. have received a DFA Fellowship since the program was created in 2018. Over 90% of the Artist Fellows identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color. Transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary individuals make up approximately 10% (6) of the two Fellowship cohorts. Equitable access is a core value of the program. Over 16% (10) of our Fellows from the past two rounds identify as Disabled artists. Learn about the Round Two demographic data collection and accountability.
The current round of DFA will be led by program advisors Laurel Lawson (DFA Round One Artist Fellow) and Peter Rockford Espiritu (DFA Round Two Artist Fellow) and administered by Dance/USA. Over 90% of DFA’s peer readers and panelists are working artists.
Applicant Support
Dance/USA believes that proposal writing should not be a barrier to artists accessing funding. DFA offers several support options during the initial application period including technical assistance calls and free proposal coaching with experienced grant writers. Additionally, DFA offers alternative formats and translation/interpretation/accessibility services for any applicant upon request. Applicants may submit responses to narrative questions in video or audio formats. Additional, limited support may be available for individuals who are preparing an application on behalf of someone who cannot submit the form themselves due to language, access to technology, or other barriers.
Learn more about the program by visiting Dance/USA’s website.
For questions, please contact Haowen Wang, Dance/USA Director of Regranting, via email or 202-460-9215. ASL and spoken language interpretation services are available upon request; please email Haowen Wang with your access or interpretation requests.
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
