This is the first year that the Jadin Wong Award for Emerging Asian American Dancer will be presented. This award is administered by the Asian American Arts Alliance with funding from the New York Community Trust. This award is a tribute to the life and work of renowned Chinese American actress, dancer, and comedienne Jadin Wong. Since her teenage years, Ms. Wong had been a pioneer and innovator of Asian American performing arts.

 

The inaugural award is intended to recognize one emerging Asian American dancer whose work shows strong potential for greater achievement and hopes to make a significant impact on the Asian American artistic community as a whole. The award aims to recognize exemplary work that will continue to inspire young artists and the Asian American community for years to come. There is a cash award of $3,000 to provide educational assistance, training, and support for a young person of Asian descent with limited financial means to help them achieve their career as a dancer.

 

This cash award is intended to be used for “Professional Development” (see below), but not for undergraduate or graduate tuition fees. Priority consideration will be given to young dancers not currently enrolled in university programs.

 

Eligibility

The Asian American Arts Alliance will receive nominations for this award. You may NOT nominate yourself.

 

The nominee MUST:

be of Asian American decentbe an emerging dancer between 18-25 years of agebe based in any of the five boroughs in New York Cityhave at least five years of experience in dancehope to make a significant impact on the Asian American artistic community through his or her workshow potential for greater future artistic achievement in dance

 

Current Alliance staff and board members, as well as immediate family members of the Alliance staff and board are not eligible.

 

The Selection Process

February 21, 2014            Public announcement for Phase I nominations

March 21, 2014                Phase I nomination deadline

March 26, 2014                Nominees invited to submit for Phase II

April 9, 2014                     Deadline to submit Phase II form

April 17-May 1, 2014         Artistic review period

Week of May 5th               Review committee meeting

Week of May 12th             Winner announced

 

Deadline

Phase I nomination forms must be submitted electronically by 11:59pm EST on Friday, March 21, 2014.

 

Notification

Nominees will be notified by March 26, 2014, for invitation to submit letter of intent and work samples if they advance to Phase II of the application process. A winner will be announced the week of May 12, 2014.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jadin Wong?

Jadin Wong (1913-2010) is a Chinese American actress, dancer and comedienne. She performed at San Francisco’s legendary all-Asian nightclub, Forbidden City, and toured throughout America, Europe, and Asia. In 1960, Ms. Wong moved to New York City. She appeared in Broadway shows and founded Jadin Wong Management, in hopes of helping more Asian talent to be cast in significant roles in theater, film, and television. Ms. Wong’s final performance was on October 11, 1997, at a gala benefit for a new national Chinese American museum. To learn more, visit:http://www.nycommunitytrust.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/BioBrochures/jadin%20wong.pdf.

 

Who can I nominate?

You can nominate a dancer of Asian American descent, between 18-25 of age, based in any of the five boroughs in New York City. Please refer to the “Eligibility” section for a full list of criteria. You may NOT nominate yourself. However, you may ask someone to nominate you on your behalf.

 

How can I nominate?

To nominate someone, please review guidelines carefully, and then access the online application to nominate here: 2014 Jadin Wong Nomination Form

 

Do I have the option of remaining anonymous to the nominee in the award process?

Yes, you can indicate your preference in the nomination form.

 

Can choreographers be nominated?

Yes. However, the choreographer must be actively performing in his/her own work, or other people’s work.

 

What constitutes an “emerging dancer”?

For the purpose of this award, an emerging dancer is one who is between the ages of 18 and 25, and shows potential for greater artistic achievement in dance. An emerging, early-career dancer can be, for example:

a dancer active in a conservatory programa dancer contracted with a professional dance companya dancer who self-produces his/her own work and trains with a small ensemblea dancer/choreographer performing solo work

 

What are some examples of “Professional Development”?

The purpose of this award is to support and nurture an emerging Asian American dancer for Professional Development. “Professional Development” can include, but is not limited to:

Undertaking of creative research for a performance pieceParticipation in master classes, workshops, intensives, dance conferences, etc.Mentorship for professional development

 

The 2014 Jadin Wong Award is not intended to be used for undergraduate or graduate tuition fees.

 

How is the 2014 Jadin Wong Awardee selected?

The awardee will be selected through a nomination and jury process. If the nominee advances past Phase I, he/she will be asked to submit a separate form with letter of intent and work samples for Phase II. These materials will be reviewed by a jury, composed of established choreographers/dancers, arts presenters, arts administrators, and educators. The nominee will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Artistic Quality: quality, originality and uniqueness of performance work, based upon work samples submitted.Community Impact: interest or hopes to make a significant impact on the Asian American artistic community as a whole.Professional Development: nominee’s letter of intent should include nominee’s record of dance activities and achievement, his/her goal of continued exploration of the art form, and how funds will be utilized to further educational assistance, training, and support.

 

When will the 2014 Jadin Wong Awardee be announced?

The awardee will be announced the week of May 12th, as part of Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage month.