Production Grants

Production grants fund the development of new dance work that will tour nationally, generally in the following season. Grants are awarded to artists and companies to support costs incurred through the artistic creation of the work.

These grants are highly competitive and are awarded to approximately 20 artist/companies annually. Grants generally range from $25,000 to $40,000.

Production grant recipients automatically receive an NDP Touring Award, which provides presenters with access to funding to support the presentation of the new work upon its completion (see Presentation Grants).

 Eligibility

• Choreographers, artists, and companies are eligible to apply for NDP Production Grants. Only one application per choreographer or company will be accepted.
• Projects must have a U.S. presenter partner.
• Preference is given to U.S.-based dance artists and companies; international artists and companies are encouraged to apply for NDP Touring Awards.
• Applications for work that will be created and developed in 2012 and 2013 are eligible, including applications for works that are currently in the early stages of development.
• NDP can only award grants to organizations with nonprofit status. Production grants may be paid either directly to an incorporated dance company and/or to a fiscal agent (such as the presenter partner).
• Artists receiving an NDP Production Grant in any given season are not eligible to apply for another NDP Production 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 who have received NDP Production grants for two consecutive cycles* are not eligible to apply in the following third cycle (two seasons), but will gain back eligibility in the fourth cycle.
  * A cycle includes the commissioning year and the year of touring, whenever that occurs.

 Funding Criteria

Production Grants:

• Make possible the creation of new works of genuine imagination and originality by artists with a track record of professional production and touring and recognized skill and accomplishment.
• Ensure that the new works will tour and be performed in venues in multiple locations.
• Offer potential to engage audiences because of the work’s relevance, originality and/or timeliness, and the project’s use of live and virtual strategies to connect the artists and the public.
• Reflect a well-articulated partnership between the artist/choreographer and at least one U.S. presenter.*
  * Presenter/artist partnerships are relationships in which U.S. presenters work with dance artists to support the creation of new work and 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.

General Process & Deadline

The Production grant selection process is divided into two rounds:

PRELIMINARY ROUND

• March 1, 2012: NDP Production Grant preliminary application deadline
• May 2012: NDP Production Grant finalists notified and paired with a NDP Hub Site representative, who serves as the project’s advocate and assists in developing the full proposal.

FINAL ROUND

• June 1, 2012: NDP Production Grant full proposal deadline
• July 2012: NEFA announces NDP Production Grant recipients.
• September 2012: NEFA publishes details of NDP Touring Awards.

   

Grant Instructions & Forms

* ALL NDP FORMS ARE NOW ONLINE! Preview grant form questions and access your online grant form below.*

• Preview: NDP Production Application Grant Form Questions 
• View: Grant Requirements for Final Payment
• Preview: NDP Production Evaluation Grant Form Questions

ACCESS YOUR ONLINE GRANT FORM
Follow the instructions below to start or return to your online grant form.

1. New to NEFA's online granting? Before you start, you must visit the Online Grant Process page to create a CultureCount user account.
   START HERE TO CREATE A NEW USER ACCOUNT
2. Already have a CultureCount user account? Click on the orange buttons below to access NEFA application and evaluation forms.
   APPLICATION: ACCESS YOUR ONLINE GRANT FORM
   EVALUATION: ACCESS YOUR ONLINE GRANT FORM
   • Sign in with your CultureCount username and password.
   • Confirm that the applicant is listed with your username.*
     * If the applicant is incorrect or not listed, see FAQ #1 on the Online Grant Process page.
   • Select the NEFA grant form to begin.
     

Need help? Can't apply online? Refer to the FAQs on NEFA's Online Grant Process page or contact Cheri Opperman.