McKnight Fellowships for Dancers: Guidelines
AWARDS
Three unrestricted fellowships of $25,000 will be awarded.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
The Intent to Apply step closed in September 2024.
Final Application: Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 3:00 pm CST
The full application will open in mid-January.
The final deadline is firm, the application site will close at exactly 3:00 pm CST on the deadline day.
Applicants will be notified of the decisions in early June 2025.
CRITERIA
Fellowships provide recognition and financial support for Minnesota dancers beyond the early practicing stage of their careers. The program is designed to award dancers who have sustained experience in their discipline and demonstrate exceptional accomplishment. Applicants are asked to demonstrate a substantial body of work over a period of time.
The intent of this program is to recognize and support dance artists living and working in Minnesota (or in a Native Nation that shares this geography) who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment and commitment. Artists should be part of and contributing to the creative, cultural and community fabric of Minnesota.
Resumé and application materials should indicate a history of sustained and committed dance work over a period of at least eight years, demonstrated through public performances and creative work. Accomplishments must be outside of accredited degree programs, i.e. student performances will not count towards the minimum eight-year period of committed dance work.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists who are eligible for these fellowships:
· Have or maintain Minnesota residency (or in a Native Nation that shares this geography) for at least one year prior to application and for the duration of the fellowship year. Proof of residency is required.
· Are beyond early practice, or the emerging stage of their career, with a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment and commitment. Applicants must demonstrate a substantial body of work, created over a period of time. A minimum of 8 years of committed dance work is required. (This number changed for the 2024 application year. Learn more here.)
· Can only apply to one McKnight Artist Fellowship program in any artistic discipline within a year.
· Have not been a recipient of a McKnight Artist Fellowship within any artistic discipline in the last five years (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024).
· Demonstrate growth and ongoing artistry since their most recent McKnight Fellowship.
· Are not staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or Artspace.
· Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program.
- Applicants must have a social security number or other federal tax number to be awarded.
SELECTION PROCESS
A panel of two out-of-state and two Minnesota-based dance artists and administration will review applications and select fellowship recipients. As possible throughout the season, local panelists will view applicants’ live performances.
FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS: SOLO COMMISSIONING PROJECT
The fellowship program will fund a newly commissioned solo dance work for each selected dance fellow. These commissions will go to choreographers selected by each dancer fellow in consultation with the fellowship program. The new works, performed by the dancer fellows, will premiere on a joint showcase titled SOLO, presented within two years of the award date. The awarded dancer may not be the commissioned choreographer.
Fellows receive additional support for career development and are invited to attend a four-day retreat in rural Minnesota.
McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships Community Values
Welcome to the McKnight Artist Fellowships and Culture Bearers community! The McKnight Foundation and the administering partners for the McKnight Artist Fellowships and Culture Bearers are committed to creating and supporting an artistic community in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The community of the McKnight Artist Fellowships and Culture Bearers includes people who engage with the fellowships program whether as applicants, fellows, culture bearers, panelists, contractors, collaborators, fellowships administrators, and staff of the McKnight Foundation and partnering organizations. As a community, we commit to creating and maintaining relationships that are free from harm, prejudice, and harassment. Community members agree to communicate directly and transparently regarding issues of conduct that could negatively impact the well-being of participating members and organizations. In the case of an accusation, legal action, or conviction, the McKnight Foundation and its fellowship program partners may gather and assess relevant information. If deemed necessary, the McKnight Foundation and its fellowship program partners may take administrative action up to and including the recommendation of participation in reconciliation or restorative justice processes; disqualification of an application; the termination of a contract; and the recall and/or termination of a fellowship. This community will be what we make it and our aim is to collectively create an experience in which all artists and members of the McKnight Artist Fellowships and Culture Bearers community thrive.
For more information about this statement go to the McKnight Foundation webpage
TO APPLY
Tech Support
If you have questions about the technical aspects of the application or online submission, contact the SlideRoom Support team at support@slideroom.com. They are open 9 am - 6 pm (EST), Monday - Friday and will respond quickly to email questions. There is also a online help center you can access at any hour.
If you need access to a computer and the internet, go to your public library or Springboard for the Arts.
For more information and Frequently Asked Questions, visit our FAQ page.