Archive: Grants, Fellowships, and Scholarships

The McKnight Fellowship Intent to Apply for the 2023 Dancer and Choreographer Fellowships is now open, with a deadline of Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The McKnight Fellowship Program is offering an informational webinar for all interested applicants regarding the 2023 Intent to Apply, focusing on frequently asked questions regarding the application materials.

Webinar Dates/Times:

• Wednesday, August 17: 12:00-1:00pm
• Wednesday, August 24: 6:00-7:00pm

To attend the webinars, please RSVP to mckfell@thecowlescenter.org, and you will be sent a Zoom link.

Supported by the Jerome Foundation, The Cowles Center’s newest Generating Room Program: Choreography Development, is an 8-month long studio residency that supports four early career Minnesota choreographers in nurturing a work in progress through:

• $3,000 stipend
• 200 hours of free rehearsal space
• access to a $500 stipend for a mentor
• administrative support

This program is intended for Minnesota choreographers who need time and space to develop a project or idea rooted in dance without the pressure of a completed end product. Choreographers will be selected through a scored application process by our Programs and Education committee.

Applications are due Friday, August 19. Click here to learn more and apply today!

Applications for the I A.M. Arts (formerly Alanna Morris-Van Tassel Productions) Mentorship/Coaching program opens Monday, July 18 and closes Friday, August 19. This program is a one-year mentorship open to a young professional entering their junior year of high school in the fall of 2022 and graduating in the class of 2024. This program is for a self-driven, self-motivated, and focused young female dancer of color looking to pursue a career in dance. The mentee will work with I A.M. Arts Artistic Director and independent dancer-choreographer, Alanna Morris, on post-secondary school/college preparedness as well as life and business skills.

This mentorship includes research on scholarships ($$$), including support in applying for the YoungArts Award; a solo dance commission for auditions and scholarships; college essay review and editorial assistance; and letters of recommendation as needed.  The mentee will have access to Alanna’s global network of dance artists, including top educators at leading educational institutions, directors, dancers and choreographers working in a multiplicity of backgrounds – companies as well as freelance – encompassing a wide range of aesthetics, and geographies.

How to apply:  

• An application form with reference by an educator or dance professional – name and contact information only, no letter is required
• Resume

Cost: Zero cost. This is a $3,000 value and one-year commitment provided to the selected mentee (and their family) free of charge due to a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Rehearsal space is included in the mentorship program. The following are not included: housing, travel to and from meetings, living expenses, or relocation fees.

Location: The program consists of virtual or in-person meetings for life and career coaching as well as in-person rehearsals.  All rehearsals take place in the Twin Cities. Applicants need not reside in the Twin Cities but will need to have the ability to travel. Applicants will need to be available for some evenings and/or weekends. 

Time commitment: While this is an agreed-upon schedule set by Alanna and the mentee, guided by their goals, the program includes an intense rehearsal period in the beginning of the mentorship in September at approximately 6 hours/week or 30 total hours over 5 weeks to prepare for the YoungArts (and other) scholarship auditions. Rehearsals for coaching then shift to approximately 4 hours/month to the end of the school year. Meetings for goal-setting and life coaching occur weekly until January 2023, and then as often as needed throughout the school year. 

Duration: Application opens July 18 and closes August 19. Those applicants selected for an interview will be notified by late August. Interviews will be held August 22-26. Final decisions will be made by September 2. Mentorship begins September 5, 2022-August 31, 2023. This is at least a one-year commitment. Though the program officially ends in August, Alanna commits to be an ongoing resource for the mentee as long as it is desired.

Please evaluate the Statement of Purpose from Alanna to gauge whether this is the right fit for your student.

Please reach out to bring Alanna to speak to your community or if you have any questions!

The McKnight Fellowship Intent to Apply (ITA) for the 2023 Dancer and Choreographer Fellowships is open, with a deadline of Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The final application is due in spring 2023.

Completing the Intent to Apply gives you:

• Ability to submit upcoming work to our calendar, giving local panelists a chance to watch your work live
• Reminders and important updates
• Invitations to all informational webinars
• Personal support on your application

If you plan on applying for a fellowship, please submit your Intent to Apply by September 7. If you miss the ITA deadline, you may still submit a final application. However, you will not receive important updates and help with the application.

Check out these links below for each application’s guidelines and help choose which one is best for you:
For Choreographers
For Dancers

Supported by the Jerome Foundation, The Cowles Center’s newest Generating Room Program: Choreography Development, is an 8-month long studio residency that supports four early career Minnesota choreographers in nurturing a work in progress through:

• $3,000 stipend
• 200 hours of free rehearsal space
• access to a $500 stipend for a mentor
• administrative support

This program is intended for Minnesota choreographers who need time and space to develop a project or idea rooted in dance without the pressure of a completed end product. Choreographers will be selected through a scored application process by our Programs and Education committee.

Applications are due Friday, August 19. Click here to learn more and apply today!

The I A.M. Arts Mentorship/Coaching Program offers a one-year mentorship to a pre-professional *female dancer of color to support their transition into the dance world. It includes scholarship research, a dance solo commission, college essay review and editorial assistance, letters of recommendation—plus access to Alanna’s global network. Free to the family through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

This mentorship includes research on scholarships; a solo dance commission (for auditions and scholarships); college essay review and editorial assistance; and letters of recommendation (as needed). The mentee will have access to Alanna’s global network of dance artists, including top educators at leading educational institutions, directors, dancers and choreographers working in a multiplicity of backgrounds – companies as well as freelance – encompassing a wide range of aesthetics, and geographies.

To apply:
-An application form, including a reference by an educator or dance professional. (Name and contact information only, no letter is required.)
-Resume

Cost: Zero cost. A $3,000 value, this is a one-year commitment provided to the selected mentee (and their family) free of charge due to a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Rehearsal space is included in the mentorship program. The following is not included: housing, travel to and from meetings, living expenses, or relocation fees.

Location: The program consists of virtual or in-person meetings (for life and career coaching) as well as in-person rehearsals. All rehearsals take place in the Twin Cities. Applicants need not reside in the Twin Cities but will need to have the ability to travel. Applicants will need to be available for some evenings and/or weekends.

Time commitment: While this is an agreed-upon schedule set by Alanna and the mentee, (guided by their goals), the program includes an intense rehearsal period in the beginning of the mentorship in September at approximately 6 hours/week or 30 total hours over 5 weeks to prepare for the YoungArts (and other) scholarship auditions. Rehearsals (for coaching) then shift to approximately 4 hours/month to the end of the school year. Meetings for goal-setting and life coaching occur weekly until January 2023, and then as often as needed throughout the school year.

Duration: Application closes August 19. Those applicants selected for an interview will be notified by late August. Interviews will be held August 22-26. Final decisions will be made by September 2. Mentorship begins September 5, 2022-August 31, 2023. This is at least a one-year commitment. Though the program officially ends in August, Alanna commits to be an on-going resource for the mentee as long as it is desired.

The McKnight Fellowship Intent to Apply (ITA) for the 2023 Dancer and Choreographer Fellowships is open, with a deadline of Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The final application is due in spring 2023.

Completing the Intent to Apply gives you:

• Ability to submit upcoming work to our calendar, giving local panelists a chance to watch your work live
• Reminders and important updates
• Invitations to all informational webinars
• Personal support on your application

If you plan on applying for a fellowship, please submit your Intent to Apply by September 7. If you miss the ITA deadline, you may still submit a final application. However, you will not receive important updates and help with the application.

Check out these links below for each application’s guidelines and help choose which one is best for you:
For Choreographers
For Dancers

The McKnight Fellowship Program will offer two informational webinars, led by Program Director Dana Kassel, for all interested applicants regarding the 2023 Intent to Apply.

Wednesday, August 17: 12:00-1:00pm
Wednesday, August 24: 6:00-7:00pm

This information session will be geared towards first-time applicants and focus on frequently asked questions regarding the application materials – the artistic statement, resume and work sample. Participants will be able to ask questions via a chat feature, or are encouraged to submit a question by email when you RSVP.

RSVP to mckfell@thecowlescenter.org, and you will be sent a Zoom link to enter the webinar by internet browser on a computer, iPad or smartphone.

Supported by the Jerome Foundation, The Cowles Center’s newest Generating Room Program: Choreography Development, is an 8-month long studio residency that supports four early career Minnesota choreographers in nurturing a work in progress through:

• $3,000 stipend
• 200 hours of free rehearsal space
• access to a $500 stipend for a mentor
• administrative support

This program is intended for Minnesota choreographers who need time and space to develop a project or idea rooted in dance without the pressure of a completed end product. Choreographers will be selected through a scored application process by our Programs and Education committee.

Applications are due Friday, August 19. Click here to learn more and apply today!

The I A.M. Arts Mentorship/Coaching Program offers a one-year mentorship to a pre-professional *female dancer of color to support their transition into the dance world. It includes scholarship research, a dance solo commission, college essay review and editorial assistance, letters of recommendation—plus access to Alanna’s global network. Free to the family through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

This mentorship includes research on scholarships; a solo dance commission (for auditions and scholarships); college essay review and editorial assistance; and letters of recommendation (as needed). The mentee will have access to Alanna’s global network of dance artists, including top educators at leading educational institutions, directors, dancers and choreographers working in a multiplicity of backgrounds – companies as well as freelance – encompassing a wide range of aesthetics, and geographies.

To apply:
-An application form, including a reference by an educator or dance professional. (Name and contact information only, no letter is required.)
-Resume 

Cost: Zero cost. A $3,000 value, this is a one-year commitment provided to the selected mentee (and their family) free of charge due to a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Rehearsal space is included in the mentorship program. The following is not included: housing, travel to and from meetings, living expenses, or relocation fees.  

Location: The program consists of virtual or in-person meetings (for life and career coaching) as well as in-person rehearsals. All rehearsals take place in the Twin Cities. Applicants need not reside in the Twin Cities but will need to have the ability to travel. Applicants will need to be available for some evenings and/or weekends. 

Time commitment: While this is an agreed-upon schedule set by Alanna and the mentee, (guided by their goals), the program includes an intense rehearsal period in the beginning of the mentorship in September at approximately 6 hours/week or 30 total hours over 5 weeks to prepare for the YoungArts (and other) scholarship auditions. Rehearsals (for coaching) then shift to approximately 4 hours/month to the end of the school year. Meetings for goal-setting and life coaching occur weekly until January 2023, and then as often as needed throughout the school year. 

Duration: Application opens July 18 and closes August 19. Those applicants selected for an interview will be notified by late August. Interviews will be held August 22-26. Final decisions will be made by September 2. Mentorship begins September 5, 2022-August 31, 2023. This is at least a one-year commitment. Though the program officially ends in August, Alanna commits to be an on-going resource for the mentee as long as it is desired.