Dance/NYC Junior Committee 2022 Application
This application cycle has passed.
Dance/NYC invites eligible New York City metropolitan-based dance workers between the ages of 21-30 to submit applications to become members of the Dance/NYC Junior Committee for the 2021 term. The committee was created as a counterpart to Dance/NYC’s Advisory Board to advocate specifically for early-career professionals in dance and to serve as a liaison between Dance/NYC and its emerging constituents. It has evolved into a professional development and networking program that serves dance workers across functions in dance ages 21-30 working in the New York City metropolitan area.
The Junior Committee executes its programming during the fiscal year, January to December annually. It values conversation and community and recognizes that “building a net that works” (People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond) is essential to the dismantling of systems of oppression in the dance field and beyond. The first half of the JComm year is focused on strengthening the internal network. This work takes shape in various formats, and can include peer mentorship, participation in trainings, hosting internal conversations around critical field-wide issues, exploring and imagining solutions, and creating space to spend time together in community.
The committee brings those skills and conversations to the wider dance community by offering spaces for the JComm community to develop further through public-facing events which may include a session at Dance/NYC’s annual Symposium and a Town Hall event over the second half of the JComm year. Though the community-building work is ongoing throughout the year, participating in the planning of public-facing events is an optional opportunity for members. Dance/NYC seeks a Junior Committee that represents a diversity of roles and perspectives in dance and that reflects the demographic makeup of the New York metropolitan area which is majority African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA), is majority female, and includes trans/gender nonconforming/non-binary, disabled, and immigrant artists.
Membership Components and Expectations
This is an ad hoc committee and program of Dance/NYC. The Junior Committee has no oversight function with regard to Dance/NYC; Junior Committee members have the ability to contribute to Dance/NYC’s programs and provide recommendations only. As this is a volunteer committee and professional development program, members have the ability to step down with prior notice to the Dance/NYC Junior Committee Co-Chairs.
The members are expected to:
- Attend two (2) meetings per month in 2022 starting on January 18th. Meetings take place on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 6:30–8:00 p.m. and all meetings will take place via Zoom; approximate yearly commitment of 36 hours.
- (Due to the presence of COVID-19, all Dance/NYC events, including Junior Committee meetings are taking place via Zoom for the foreseeable future. When in-person gatherings resume, the Junior Committee will return to a schedule of alternating in-person and virtual meetings.)
- Participate in justice, equity and inclusion trainings, including but not limited to an Anti-Racism/Community Organizing Training, a Bystander Intervention Training, a Beyond Accessibility Training, a Sanctuary Space Protocol Training, and potential others; approximate yearly commitment of 18 hours.
- Attend and/or volunteer at as many Dance/NYC events as they are interested in/able to attend and act as positive representatives of Dance/NYC in their wider roles in the community (strongly encouraged); recommended 4-12 hours.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants are eligible to apply if they:
- Are between the ages of 21-30 years old;
- Are dance workers, as defined by the following: dancer, dance performer, choreographer, dance photographer, dance videographer, dance teaching artist, dance writer/critic, dramaturg, dance scholar, arts administrator and/or related artistic and technical personnel such as: technicians (lighting, stage management, production, etc.), dance musicians/accompanists, independent presenters, producers, agents and/or managers, dance theatre personnel (ushers, in-house vendors, etc.);
- Are based in the New York City Metropolitan area (including the five boroughs of New York City, including: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island; upstate New York; Connecticut; New Jersey; etc.
- Due to COVID-19 changes, applicants may be currently residing from any location as we will be meeting virtually. We ask that the candidate have a connection and commitment to New York City dance.
- Show a clear commitment to equity in terms of race, gender and sexuality, disability, and class issues;
- Have lived and learned experience in issues of justice, equity, and inclusion, especially matters related to race, disability, and/or immigration (Dance.NYC/equity/values);
- Are invested in leading change in their own communities;
- Represent the demographic makeup of the local population. Dance/NYC seeks a Junior Committee that is majority African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA), is majority female, and includes trans/gender nonconforming/non-binary, disabled, and immigrant artists; and
- Have the capacity to meet expectations outlined above.
Applicants are not eligible to apply if they:
- Do not identify as an any of the roles listed above;
- Are based (reside) outside of the five boroughs of New York City; and/or
- Are undergraduate students during their year on the Committee;
- Will turn 31 during their year of service;
- Are unable to commit to the membership expectations listed above.
Selection Priorities, Process and Review Rubric:
Applications will be reviewed by the full committee. Priority in selection will be given to applicants who demonstrate:
- An expansive understanding of the dance field including: pressing issues, needs and concerns; new or under-engaged discourses, practices and scholarship pertaining to dance, movement, dance education, cultural heritage, intersectionality, arts management, critical race theory, gender studies and disability justice; and community facilitation and engagement formats.
- A commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion:
- The review panel will consider the role that historically underresourced groups—including African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA), LGBTQ+, women-identifying, gender nonconforming and/or nonbinary, and immigrant artists—play within the applicant pool and wider dance field;
- Clear actions in alignment with stated values.
The number of available positions in the committee varies from year to year depending on the number of returning committee members. Following the application review, selected applicants will be invited to a 30-minute Zoom interview with current JComm members. These interviews will take place between December 18, 2021 to December 23, 2021. Final recommendations are made by the full Committee to the Executive Committee for final review and invitations will be sent by December 31, 2021. New members will start on January 18, 2022. Please share any accessibility accommodation requests and inquiries in advance of your interview. If you have questions about the application process, please email juniorcommittee@dance.nyc. Thank you for your interest!
Proposal Specifications
Required materials for the Dance/NYC Junior Committee New Member Application include:
- A brief bio, focusing on your relationship with the metropolitan New York City-based dance field and/or cultural community. This can be submitted via written submission, voice memo or video. (600-1300 suggested word count)
- Optional artistic response to describe yourself - dance video, visual art/image/doodle, song, poem 2-4mins
- Please note these will not carry weight in the selection process
- Why are you interested in joining Dance/NYC’s Junior Committee? This can be submitted via written submission, voice memo or video. (600-1300 suggested word count)
- What is an idea or topic you would be interested in bringing to the committee for our internal or external discussions and programming, and why? What is an interest or passion of yours? Please be as specific as possible. This can be submitted via written submission, voice memo or video. (600-1300 suggested word count) *
- What are your values of diversity, justice, equity and inclusion? What actions have you taken to reflect your values in your artistic work or your participation in the dance ecology? What areas would you like to learn more about? Or, how would you like to deepen your learning in these areas? This can be submitted via written submission, voice memo or video. (600-1300 suggested word count) *
NOTE: We ask that if you are to record a voice memo or video, that you please not say your name in the recording.
Timeline
|
Membership Period |
January 18, 2022 to December 20, 2022 |
| Application Opens | November 24, 2021 |
| Application Closed | December 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Panel Review | December 18 - 23, 2021 |
| Participant Notification | December 31, 2021 |
| Member Decision | January 1, 2022 |
| JComm 2021 Start Date | January 19, 2022 |
Submission Details
Dance/NYC is using an online application portal dancenyc.submittable.com. Before completing the application form, interested applicants are asked to first complete a series of questions to determine baseline eligibility. If eligible, applicants will be prompted to complete the application.
Complete applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on December 10, 2021. Incomplete applications, hard copy submissions, and applications received after the December 10th deadline will not be considered.
Accessibility and Questions
Dance/NYC is committed to accessibility and the inclusion of disabled people in its programs. If you have questions not already addressed on the FAQ page or need assistance accessing any part of this application, please contact us at juniorcommittee@dance.nyc. Please only send questions to this email account.
About Dance/NYC (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 justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
Visit dance.nyc/programs/jcomm/ for more details on the Junior Committee.
Why You Should Apply
Junior Committee members past and present have cited their years on the committee as inspiring as well beneficial — both personally and professionally. Here are just a few of the many highlights of service:
- Presenting or facilitating panels or discussions at events such as the Dance/NYC Symposium, City Council hearings, and Junior Committee Town Halls
- Discussing and advocating for work that moves equity in the dance field forward
- Becoming a part of a networked group willing to share skills, resources, experience, and contacts with one another
- Participating in voter outreach at various dance centers
For a full overview of Dance/NYC’s values on justice, equity, and inclusion and the agendas that inform this work, please refer to Dance.NYC/equity/values.
If you have questions about the application process, please email juniorcommittee@dance.nyc or sign up for our newsletter. Thank you for your interest!
