Important information & application overview
Direct all questions & inquires to cdf@themovementproject.org
Applicant GUIDELINES
WHO CAN APPLY: Artists at all stages of their professional career are welcome to apply. (including independent dance artists, dance companies, grad students, college/undergraduate students and emerging artists) All applicants, including casts, must be professional or collegiate dancers 18 years or older to apply and perform at CDF, no exceptions.
Commissioned Artists must reside & work within Northeast Ohio, as their commission includes free rehearsal space at TMP’s studio and a choreographic mentorship with a TMP company member.
HOW WE SELECT WORKS: Applications are reviewed by the Cleveland Dance Fest Advisory Board, which includes members of The Movement Project and prominent dance artists in the northeast Ohio dance community. TMP is dedicated to providing an adjudication process that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The individuals of our board represent a wide range of communities, demographics and cultures.
PERFORMANCE DATES: Commissioned works will perform in 1 of the 4 professional concert series performances.
WHEN SELECTIONS ARE MADE: Artists will be notified by July 8th on their application status.
Important dates & Times
June 24th, 2024 (due by 11:00 pm)
APPLICATION DUE
August 11th, 2024 (10:00 am - 11:15 am EST)
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE CALL (MANDATORY)
one person from your group must attend this meeting, no exceptions.
October 1st, 2024
FULL CAST LISTS DUE
October 15th, 2024
REHEARSAL FOOTAGE OF WORK WITH FULL CAST DUE
November 22nd & 23rd, 2024
PROFESSIONAL CONCERT SERIES MANDATORY TECH REHEARSALS
Friday, November 22nd (2:00 - 6:30 pm)
Local Artists & Out-of-town artists (Tech Times - specific times TBD)
Saturday, November 23rd (1:00 - 3:00 pm)
Local & Out-of-Town Artists (Tech Times - specific times TBD)
Each artist/group will be assigned a 2 hour time slot. Within those 2 hours, 5-7 pieces will tech with with sound (each group receiving 20 minutes on stage)
During your tech, you will have 20 minutes to space your piece, set sound levels, and run your piece with sound. (Lighting for this years venue will be a pre-set lighting wash that will remain for all pieces).
Artists will be assigned a specific tech during the mandatory virtual conference call, this way artists can plan their schedule around the time they are required to be in the theater. Requests for time slots will not be accepted, as we cannot accommodate each artist.
All cast members must be present at tech rehearsal - no exceptions. Failure to clear your scheduled tech time with your entire cast may result in removal from the concert. Please communicate this with your casts as soon as your time is scheduled so that artists have plenty of time to adjust schedules.
November 22nd, 2024 (Friday)
SHOW 1 at 7:30 pm
Opening Reception Party! at 8:30 pm
November 23rd, 2024 (Saturday)
PROFESSIONAL MASTER CLASSES (9:00 am - 11:45 am)
SHOW 2 at 4:00 pm
SHOW 3 at 6:00 pm
SHOW 4 at 8:00 pm
Following the concert there will be a closing reception.
*specific times above subject to change. Note: Additional due dates will be indicated in your contracts for program info, marketing materials (short social media video promoting your piece), ticket sales, ect…)
Submission requirements
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Artists interested in creating a new work to perform as a commissioned artist at Cleveland Dance Fest should apply here.
By providing artists with free marketing, resource and production support, artists can focus their time and energy on producing work that explores the boundaries of dance composition, challenges perspectives, is diverse in thought/action and is reflective of themselves and people in their community. We encourage artists to submit work that is challenging, explores complex topics, experimental, is relevant and shows a strong understanding of dance composition.
SUBMISSION CHECKLIST: Artists applying must provide the following items on their application.
Provide 3 samples of choreography (must be past completed works. rehearsal or performance footage will be accepted.)
Description of their proposed work to be commissioned
If selected as a CDF commissioned artists, in what ways would it impact you as an artist and in your creative process?
Optional: If applicable, artists can provide footage from a current work in progress to submit for this proposal.
Select Application Type
Commissioned Artist - Show 1 - 4
Large Group Pieces (5 or more dancers)
Length of work (final commission): Between 10-15 minutes (must not exceed 15 minutes)
Small Group Pieces (2-4 dancers)
Length of work (final commission): Between 8-15 minutes (must not exceed 15 minutes)
Solos (1 dancer)
Length of work (final commission): Between 5-10 minutes (must not exceed 10 minutes)
COMPENSATION
Each piece selected will be compensated based on size of cast & type of applicant.
Each year TMP works to secure and increase artist support through fundraising and grant efforts. We value the work CDF artists share with the community and we are here to continue pushing the field to financially support artists. With this effort in mind, TMP has merged our professional concerts and emerging works concerts into 4 concerts. This has allowed for us to increase artist compensation, providing a more equitable paid opportunity for artists.
Note: Below are the price ranges for the following cast sizes. Depending on types/number of artists selected, our budget for paying artists may fluctuate, possibly allowing us to provide higher stipends. (Artists can expect at a minimum the base stipends listed below for each type)
COMMISSIONED ARTIST COMPENSATION
Artist Stipends
$150 - $250 (Solos)
$300 - $400 (Small Group Piece)
between 2-4 dancers
$500 - $600 (Large Group Piece)
5 or more dancers$500 (Large Group Piece)
20 total hours of free rehearsal space bookings ($300 value) at TMP studio.
August 19th - November 19th, 2024
Paired with a TMP Choreographic Mentor who will provide support and feedback during the creation of your new work.
MASTER CLASS TEACHING ARTIST COMPENSATION
If you are interested in teaching a master class at the festival, please indicate so and fill out the appropriate boxes in your application.
Artists will receive a $75 stipend for their class.
RESOURCES & BENEFITS PROVIDED BY TMP
professional video footage
marketing & promotional support
exclusive CDF artist rehearsal space booking at TMP studio (reduced specialty rate)
dressing room & warm-up space
marley stage floor, professional lighting wash (set-wash for entire concert) & stage manager
free parking
tech rehearsal (spacing & run with sound)
designated place to display your marketing material in the lobby
$10 ticket price to attend as many performances at CDF (lead artists & cast)
1 free professional master class & reduced $10 rate for 2nd master class
CDF ARTIST REQUIREMENT: All selected artists will be required to sell an allotted amount of tickets to their performance (details will be outlined in offer letter & contract).
Cleveland Dance Fest is a unique experience for artists involved. TMP works to develop a partnership with each artist/group to help provide a platform to promote each artist. We work closely with artists to create marketing materials to promote your work through video and social media campaigns during the months leading up to CDF. In addition, we work with artists to sell tickets so we can maximize the artist’s reach to the community and provide a meaningful compensation to artists.
Application Fees
Applications will not be adjudicated until the application fee is paid and all supplemental materials have been submitted. (Application fee is non refundable)
All commissioned artists applicant’s may submit 1 application.
Commissioned Artist Application Fee
$30 application fee
Commissioned Artists Application
COMPLETE APPLICATION BELOW
Due jUNE 24th, 2024 by 11:00 pm
1. Fill out the application form below (Application Part 1)
2. Email the following support material to cdf@themovementproject.org (Application Part 2)
a. Resume or Company CV
b. Please provide 2-3 high quality photographs of the proposed work or artist/other work (suggested 300 dpi).
Note: If you would like to submit more than one work or more than one application type, you will need to complete separate applications for each piece submitted.
3. Pay application fee. (Application Part 3)
Applications will not be adjudicated until the application fee is paid and all supplemental materials have been submitted. (Application fee is non refundable)
All commissioned artists applicant’s may submit 1 application.
Commissioned Artist Application Fee
$30 application fee
Artists will be notified by July 8th on their application status.