Co-presented by Walker Art Center and the Southern Theater
Funded in part by The Jerome Foundation

Due Date: August 2, 2004 by 4:00 pm
Return to:
The Southern Theater
Attn: Momentum Application
1420 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Finalist Interviews: September 8, 2004 (30-minute interviews)

Series Participants Announced: September 15, 2004
____________________________________________________________________________

The Momentum: New Dance Works 2005 series is a partnership between Walker Art Center and the Southern Theater, with support from the Jerome Foundation. The series will run in July 2005.

Purpose of Series: The Momentum dance series was created to promote the work of an exciting new generation of dance and dance-theater creators in Minnesota. The series enables innovative, under-recognized choreographers to show their work to the broader public. Momentum is open to the full range of styles, cultures, aesthetics, and approaches that represent contemporary dance in the world today.

Eligibility Requirements:
- Choreographers/choreographic collaborations who have produced/presented their own choreography at least three times, but who have not worked as choreographers for more than ten years, are eligible to apply.
- Previous recipients of Momentum commissions may not apply.
- An applicant must be a Minnesota resident, have lived in Minnesota for at least one year prior to application, and have produced choreography while living in Minnesota.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
- Full-time students are not eligible.

Project Description:
Momentum: New Dance Works is an opportunity for dance-makers to create new works and have that work presented by the Southern and Walker at the Southern Theater. Selected artists are expected to participate in the following elements of the series:
- Presentation: Artists are expected to present a half-evening (30-40 minutes) or work. The evening will be shared with another choreographer/choreographic collaboration, and will run a minimum of three nights at the Southern Theater. The exact performance schedule (July 2005) is yet to be determined.
- Choreographers will participate in one post-performance discussion (one of the directors of the two presenting institutions will each facilitate the dialogues) and one critical feedback session (if so desired by artists) involving curatorial/programmatic staffs of the co-presenters.

Selected artists will receive the following:
- Commission/Presentation fees: Artists will receive a commissioning fee of $3,500 per choreographer/choreographic collaboration, to be made available no less than six months in advance of the engagement. In addition to these funds, there will be a performance honorarium of $350 per choreographer/choreographic collaboration.
- Marketing/PR: Marketing/PR will be provided for the artists by copresenters. A series brochure will be created. The series will be marketed and promoted to the press, as well as in the copresenters' own publicity materials.
- Technical Support: Tech production support will be provided for the series, including light design, overall technical direction, and light and sound operators. Lighting, sound, masking, and marley dance floor (if needed) as owned by the Southern, will be provided. A reasonable attempt will be made to accommodate any special needs, subject to time and budget constraints and consistent with the shared evening format.

Selection Process and Criteria:
Up to four choreographers/choreographic collaborations will be selected for Momentum.

The selection panel will consist of representatives from the two presenting organizations and one ad hoc panelist active in Minnesota's dance community. The panel will review applications and videotapes to select the Momentum participants. Finalists will be asked to participate in a 20 to 30-minute interview with panel members. Interviews will take place September 8, 2004.

The panel will make decisions based on the quality and innovation of the artist's work and interest in the project as described in the application.

The panel shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, sexual preference or national origin. The panel is open to all dance styles and aesthetics presented, with a particular interest in contemporary and innovative approaches to any given form or style. However, the intent of the panel shall be to select applicants of high artistry and interest, rather than to make a distribution for the sake of balance.

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:
Written Materials: The written portion of the Momentum application must be typed. Submit four (4) collated copies (original plus 3 copies), all on 3-hole punch paper. Do not staple copies.
- Include a cover page with the title Momentum: New Dance Works 2005, that also lists: choreographer(s) name, contact name (if different), address, phone number (day/evening/cell), and email address. Include any unusual technical requirements you may have, and whether or not your performance requires a marley floor (ie, yes, no, or no preference).
- Please answer the following two questions, on no more than 2 typed pages (12 point type):
1. Please describe the work you propose to create for the series, and detail its unique qualities.
2. Please outline the new directions you see your work taking and how these directions fit into your evolution as a choreographer.

Resume:
Please submit a resume or vitae (no more than two pages).

Videotape Submission:
Please submit the best quality representation of your work on one videotape (VHS), preferably created within the last few years. Cue tape to the ten minutes you feel best represents your current creative output. These ten minutes may consist of a mix of different edited pieces or one continuous selection. If you include different sections, we encourage you to allow each to unfold enough to give a sense of how your choreography develops. Feel free to have the video include other full length or excerpted work, however there is no guarantee this material will be reviewed. Please also include notes with titles, dates, and excerpt running times (no more than 1 page).

Application Due Date: August 2, 2004
by 4:00 pm to The Southern Theater, Attn: Momentum Application
1420 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Series Participants Announced: September 15, 2004

Please contact Diana Kim at the Walker Art Center with any questions regarding these application guidelines: diana.kim@walkerart.org; 612.375.7581