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.
CDF's mission is to provide support and a platform for artists who work, live or have a strong connection to Cleveland. We do accept applications for those who reside outside of northeast Ohio or the state, but do note that the majority of artists selected will be from the area.
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: Selected 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 - 11:00 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 year’s 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…)
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.
PROFESSIONAL CONCERT SERIES ARTIST COMPENSATION
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)
$150 - $250 (Solos)
$300 - $400 (Small Group Piece)
between 2-4 dancers
$500 - $600 (Large Group Piece)
5 or more dancers
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.
Submission requirements
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: 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: Your submitted work must include all items below.
All works submitted MUST BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF SUBMISSION, no exceptions.
All applicants must adhere to time limits below at time of submission:
Large Group Pieces (5 or more dancers)
Length of work: Between 10-15 minutes (must not exceed 15 minutes)
Small Group Pieces (2-4 dancers)
Length of work: Between 8-15 minutes (must not exceed 15 minutes)
Solos (1 dancer)
Length of work: Between 5-10 minutes (must not exceed 10 minutes)
Footage Specifications:
Rehearsal footage of work is acceptable but only if the piece is complete. We ask that all footage is of high enough quality that our adjudication panel can clearly see the work.
All works submitted must be completed at time of submission. NO EXCEPTIONS. INCOMPLETE WORKS AT TIME OF APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If an unfinished work is submitted, you will receive an email letting you know that your application has not been accepted due to incomplete piece at time of submission. (Excerpts from larger works are permitted)
Cast in video submission does not need to be the cast performing in CDF. If selected, final cast names must be submitted by October 1st and rehearsal footage with full cast performing must be submitted by October 15th.
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 applicant’s may submit up to two applications.
Professional Concert Series Application Fee
A $30 application fee will apply to your first submission and a $15 application fee will apply to your second submission.
Professional Concert Series 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 applicant’s may submit up to two applications.
Professional Concert Series Application Fee
A $30 application fee will apply to your first submission and a $15 application fee will apply to your second submission.
Artists will be notified by July 8th on their application status.