** All application forms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Please read all application instructions before filling out any forms.All application downloads require Adobe Reader software of version 5.0 or higher. Click here for a free download. If you have trouble downloading or typing into application forms, please contact NEFA. **
Overview
NDP Production Grants provide funding for the creation of new dance work
that will tour nationally. Production Grant funds help to defray costs incurred through the artistic development of the work.
Because NDP views touring as essential to the vitality of dance as an art form, Production Grant projects also receive NDP Touring support for the season following the work's creation.
Production Grants are awarded to dance projects based on applications NDP receives from artists, presenters, artist managers, and agents. In selecting a group of projects for funding, NDP considers scale, geography, and the representation of diverse ethnicities and artistic forms. These grants are highly competitive and are awarded to 15 to 20 projects annually. Grants generally range from $15,000 to $35,000. To date, Production Grants have supported 220 new works by 153 artists and dance companies. For a complete list of past grant recipients, click here.
Criteria
Projects applying for NDP Production Grants should:
Make possible the creation of regionally or nationally significant
work that will tour;
Offer potential to engage audiences;
If appropriate, explore collaborations within and across disciplines;
Involve creative and dynamic partnership with one or more U.S. presenter
partners* in the development of the work.
* Presenter/artist partnerships are relationships between U.S. presenters and dance artists in the creation of new work, and often in the touring of that work. In the development process, a presenter may provide a variety of resources, including but not limited to, residency space, audience for work-in-progress showings, administrative guidance or support, marketplace advocacy, tour planning assistance, and the leveraging of additional funds for the project. It is understood that the need and level of assistance between presenting partners and artists varies from artist to artist, but NDP believes strongly in presenter/artist alliances, which can greatly benefit the development and distribution of dance projects.
Eligibility
Only one application per choreographer, artist, or company will be accepted.
Projects must have a U.S. presenter partner,* as outlined in the criteria. The presenter partner does not have to be an NDP Hub Site, nor will preference be given to those projects that have Hub Sites involved.
Presenters must have given their permission to be listed on the application form.
NDP can only award grants to organizations with non-profit status. Production Grants may be paid either directly to an incorporated dance company and/or to a fiscal agent (such as the presenter partner).
Work on the project must occur in the season the grant is awarded. The work should be completed and ready to tour in the United States the following season. In some instances, and only with prior consent from NDP, touring support may be deferred for one season.
Artists receiving an NDP Production Grant in any given season are not eligible to apply for another NDP grant in the following season. Once an artist has completed the NDP-supported tour of the project, that artist may again be eligible for another NDP Production Grant.
Artists receiving NDP Production Grants in two consecutive cycles must sit out for one full cycle (two seasons) before they will be eligible again to apply for NDP support.
Process
The Production Grant selection process is divided into two rounds:
In the first round, applicants must complete and submit the NDP Production Grant Application
form by April 1, 2009 (receipt deadline).
Production Grant Applications consist of:
NDP Production Grant Application form
One-page narrative describing the proposed project
All applications are reviewed by NDP Hub Sites and Advisors. In May 2009, applicants are notified
whether or not they will be asked to submit a full proposal. Projects selected for full proposals are
paired with an NDP Hub Site that serves as the project’s advocate during the process to answer
questions and assist in the development of the proposal.
For the second round, those requested to submit a full proposal must complete and submit the
NDP Production Grant Full Proposal form by June 19, 2009 (online submission deadline and receipt deadline for work sample and work sample form).
Production Grant Full Proposals consist of:
NDP Full Proposal form (online submission)
Work sample (DVD) and work sample form
Press kit (optional)
All full proposals are reviewed by NDP Hub Sites and Advisors, and Production Grants are awarded in late
July 2009.
How to Apply: Full Proposals
If your project is selected to submit a full proposal following the initial round of review in April, it is paired with an NDP Hub Site, who serves as the project's advocate during the process, answering questions and assisting in the development of the proposal. The receipt deadline for Full Project Porposals is Friday, June 19, 2009.
NEW! NEFA'S ONLINE GRANTING:
NEFA strongly recommends that applicants use online granting, as it is being phased in as NEFA's system of accepting grant applications and related forms online. The NDP Full Proposal form (along with detailed instructions for creating a user account and submitting online) is now available online.
If you need assistance with or are unable to apply using NEFA's online granting, please contact Julia Marx at jmarx at nefa dot org or [617] 951-0010 ext. 521.
Supplemental Materials:
Along with the Full Proposal form online submission, you must submit a 5-minute DVD media sample of the company and choreographer’s work (5 minutes max/ labeled/cued to start if possible) along with the Work Sample form [379k]. This form is an interactive PDF file that can be typed into then printed for submission.
Work samples showing work that is similar in style or content to the proposed work are most helpful to panelists. Panelists prefer DVDs in which work can be viewed in real time . (Promotional videos with significant editing or dubbed music are generally less useful.)
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS and others unable to use NEFA's online granting system:
The form must be typed. You may type into the form (which is an interactive PDF) online and then print it out, or you may print out the form and fill it in using a typewriter. Handwritten forms will be disqualified.
Use the front side of the form only.
For the narrative, use a common font similar to Times New Roman or Courier in a size no smaller than 11 point.
Include a 5-minute DVD media sample of the company and choreographer’s work (5 minutes max/ labeled/cued to start if possible) format along with the Work Sample form.
Work samples showing work that is similar in style or content to the proposed work are most helpful to panelists. Panelists prefer DVDs in which work can be viewed in real time. (Promotional videos with significant editing or dubbed music are generally less useful.)
NEFA must receive applications by 5:00 p.m. EST, June 19, 2009. Late applications or those sent by fax or email will not be considered. Send applications to:
New England Foundation for the Arts
National Dance Project
145 Tremont Street, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Hub Sites, Advisors, and NDP staff meet as a committee to review nominations
Early May2009:
2009-2010 Production Grant applicants are notified whether or not their project has been selected for full proposal development
June 19, 2009:
Receipt deadline for 2009-2010 NDP Full Proposal form, Work Sample, and Work Sample form. (Only applicants notified of their selection in early May may submit full proposals.)
July2009:
Committee re-convenes to select Production grantees
Late July 2009:
2009-2010 Production Grant recipients notified
Early September 2009:
2009-2010 Production Grant recipients prepare materials for the 2009 NDP Grant Guidelines.
Evaluation
If you have received an NDP Production Grant, you will be asked to complete
an evaluation form as stated in your award contract and package. This
evaluation is due 3 weeks following the premiere of the work, or as otherwise
stated on your award contract. The completed evaluation is needed before
a final payment can be made on the grant. Download the NDP Production Grant Evaluation [305k]
List of recent Production Grant Recipients
To see a list of recent Production Grant Recipients, go to the NDP
grantees page.
Questions
If you have questions about NDP Production Grants, please email ndp at nefa dot org
or call NEFA at [617] 951-0010 ext. 521.
2008 NDP Grant Guidelines [936k]
