Disability. Dance. Artistry. Fund Call for Proposals

Dance/NYC invites self-identified integrated dance makers to submit proposals for grants ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 to support production costs for integrated performance(s) in the New York City metropolitan area from January 2017 through March 2018.

The purpose of the funding initiative, made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation, is to generate dance making and performance by and with disabled artists. This activity is intended to advance artistic innovation and excellence—and, by extension, further disability rights. The work leverages Dance/NYC’s capacity as a regrantor and extends the organization’s work to advance a cultural ecosystem that expressly and equitably includes disabled artists. It responds directly to two recent research reports, Discovering Disability: Data & NYC Dance (2015) and Disability. Dance. Artistry. (2016), and a seminal conference presented as part of ADA25NYC, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.

Qualifications and Priorities
Eligible applicants to the DDA Fund must:

• Self-identify as integrated dance makers focused on the creation and/or performance of dance with disabled and nondisabled dancers;
• Be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization or a fiscal sponsored project, with a history of at least two years of integrated performance activity (not new, fiscally sponsored projects established to pursue this funding opportunity);
• Seek funds to perform dance by and with disabled artists between January 2017 and March 2018 in the metropolitan area, whether or not the dance makers are based locally;
• Have confirmed or be in negotiation with a performance venue that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The DDA Fund seeks to award grants to a cohort of approximately six (6) dance makers from a diversity of organizational types and perspectives. Priority in grant selection will be given to applicants who demonstrate to a review panel:

• Above all, artistic excellence and clear artistic vision for the proposed project;
• A central role for disabled artist(s) in the project and demonstrated organizational values of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• A commitment to sustain engagement with disabled artists in the future and an articulated evaluation plan that includes a willingness to share learning;
• Organizational and financial capacity to execute proposed activity, regardless of budget size; realistic timeline and budget; and a commitment to paying artists.

Grants will be awarded only for production expenses incurred in 2017. Amounts will be determined on a sliding scale based on organization budget size, and successful grantees will be required to submit final reports by December 31, 2017.

For the purposes of this call for proposals, integrated dance encompasses all forms of disability, not solely physical. The metropolitan area includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as Suffolk, Rockland, Nassau and Westchester Counties in New York State, and Hudson and Bergen Counties in New Jersey.

Grants will not be considered for individual artists, educational institutions, presenters, or service organizations. The DDA Fund will not support programs with primarily therapeutic or educational goals.

Proposal Specifications and Supplemental Materials
Required materials include:

• Disability. Dance. Artistry. Fund Application Form
• Budget form
• Required supplementary materials:
  • Audited financial statements
  • Board of directors list
  • Proof of tax-exempt status

Timeline
Deadline for submission October 25, 2016; 6:00 p.m. EST
Panel review Week of November 27, 2016
Award notification Week of December 12, 2016
Grant agreements due December 31, 2016
Grant disbursements Week of January 1, 2017
Press release w/ grantees’ information Mid-January 2017
Final grantee reports due December 31, 2017

Submission details
Please complete and submit all proposal information in one e-mail with two attachments only (one PDF including the application form and all supplementary materials; and one Excel budget form) to disabilitynycdance@dance.nyc, no later than 6:00 p.m. EST, October 25, 2016. Dance/NYC will only accept email submissions of applications and all materials. Please do not send hard copies to Dance/NYC. Late submissions cannot be considered.

Questions
If you have questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, and/or e-mail disabilitynycdance@dance.nyc. Please do not contact members of the review panel directly.

About Dance/NYC
Dance/NYC’s mission is to promote the knowledge, appreciation, practice, and performance of dance in the metropolitan New York City area. It embeds values of equity and inclusion into all aspects of the organization. It works in alliance with Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance.

Visit Dance.NYC for details on Dance/NYC’s Disability. Dance. Artistry initiative.