OPEN CALL FOR 3 NEW DANCEFORCE MEMBERS

DEADLINE: March 31, 2023 – 11:59 pm

The New York State DanceForce, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts, is publicly seeking 3 new members.

The New York State DanceForce is a statewide consortium of 19 dance activists committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity throughout New York State. Each member receives annual funding (currently $10,000) to design projects that bring dance artists to their or other upstate NY communities in customized artist residencies. Since its founding in 1994, the DanceForce, through the work of its members, has funded over 400 projects, raising more than $3 million in support of these endeavors.

Membership Criteria

Applicants must be New York State residents. Preference will be given to applicants whose projects will take place outside the counties of New York, Bronx, Staten Island, Kings, and Queens, and especially in counties not currently represented by our members. Full time matriculated students are not eligible to apply.

The DanceForce membership, taken as a whole, strives to be geographically, culturally, professionally and aesthetically diverse, insofar as it represents the diversity of the art form and of its constituents in New York State.

DanceForce members are individuals who function independently or in organizational contexts. They may happen to work as artists, presenters, administrators, producers, educators, writers, or advocates. What matters most is their advocacy for the art form and their championing of its practitioners.

Members share core values:

  • They are passionate about the art form of dance.
  • They are independent and self-motivated.
  • They work creatively with partners towards shared goals.
  • Their DanceForce projects give priority to advancing other artists’ careers over serving their own.

Members bring important capabilities to the DanceForce:

  • They have curatorial experience that reflects high artistic standards.
  • They are experienced at creating dynamic dance projects.
  • They can serve as a well-informed representative of their region and its aesthetics (knowledge of the dance community and its evolving opportunities and resources).
  • They have access to resources such as space and people.
  • They are able to garner support for their projects (cash, in-kind, volunteer support and political support).
  • They are able to make a significant contribution to an artist’s development and/or to audience development for dance. Audience development includes growth in attendance and/or increased dance literacy.
  • They demonstrate a continuing commitment to the development of their own dance literacy (e.g. attending dance performances, participation in other dance meetings and conferences outside of this forum).

Member Responsibilities

Members are required to design, plan, implement, and document at least one DanceForce project each year they receive funding. They are also required to attend a 3-day meeting each summer hosted by DanceForce members in their host community. Attendance at a half-day winter meeting in New York City is optional.

Members are expected to serve on committees on a rotating basis and to file project proposals and reports to document their projects.

DanceForce members are not eligible to apply to the NYS Choreographers Initiative program (NYSCI). They however can participate as mentors and Selection Committee panelists.

Compensation

This is a non-paid position, but the expenses of travelling to and attending member meetings are covered. An honorarium is provided for attending the 3-day summer meeting.

Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Racism Statements

The New York State DanceForce does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status or socioeconomic status, in any of its activities or operations.

The New York State DanceForce affirms our support of Black Lives Matter and of all Black, Brown, Indigenous and people of color. We join them in speaking out against racial discrimination and in protesting the violence that threatens them. As a consortium of dance activists whose mission is to increase the presence of dance across the diverse communities of New York State, we are committed to bringing dance in all its forms and expressions to our communities, and celebrating the contributions of people of color to the art of dance.

Application Procedure

The online application form is available here. Create an account by filling in the boxes under “Register”; you will then be able to log into the site and begin the application.

Applicants will be notified about decisions by June 7, 2023 (or soon after).

The DanceForce Membership Handbook, which contains a detailed description of member benefits and responsibilities, is available here.

Questions about membership and the application procedure should be sent to curt@danceforce.org.