Mertz Gilmore Dance Research Grants are for dance artists, dance collectives, or dance nonprofits at any stage of their career. This grant opportunity supports the research and development of a new dance work. Awards in this category will be $7,500 per artist. 

These funds are designed to alleviate significant challenges around the lack of venues for dance presentations in Staten Island and are designed to focus on the development of new work. Applying artists are asked to describe their idea and detail ways these funds would be allocated to support the further development of this work. Ideas for new work can be undeveloped or in the early stages of development but cannot be for work that has already been presented. 

Funds will support the research and development of a new dance work and cannot be used towards the presentation costs of any formal presentation of this work. Awardees will receive $7,500 to support the research and development of a new dance work. A budget will not be required to apply.

This grant is funded with generous support from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Dance Research Grants?

Applicants who are looking to develop new work. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, can not be a full-time student, and must be a Staten Island resident. 

  • Individual dancers and/or choreographers
  • Dance Collectives
  • Dance Nonprofits
  • Previous Mertz Gilmore Dance Research Grant recipients

 

What is not eligible:

  • Artists/Collectives/Nonprofits working outside the field of Dance
  • Restaging work that has already been presented to the public.
  • Awards can not be used for capital improvements, fundraising events, scholarships, juror fees, prizes, lobbying expenses, or entertainment.

 

Application Information

Applications for 2024-5 funding will go live on Monday, March 25, 2024. To get started, log into your account in the Grants Portal. You will then have access to the application. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 6, 2024 at 11:59pm Applicants are required to attend an application information session which will be held online on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:30pm – RSVP Here

Evaluation Guidelines

The following is the criteria used to decide on funding:

  • Narrative:  Does the narrative clearly articulate the applicant’s creative practice and how they hope to grow as an artist? Does the narrative clearly articulate a new project and how funds from this grant would support research and development of this idea?
  • Work Sample: Does the applicant successfully demonstrate their creative practice through their work samples? Do the samples chosen demonstrate a strong body of work?
Need Help?

Grants Administrator Gena Mimozo offers 1:1 grant support Monday through Friday from 3pm to 7pm for prospective applicants who need guidance/feedback. To sign up for a consult, please fill out this form.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Gena at gmimozo@statenislandarts.org, (718) 447-3329 x1003.