Choreography
➔ Choreography
View Guidelines as PDFGRANT TIMELINE
Applications Open: Tuesday, October 8, 10:00 AM ET
Applications Close: Tuesday, December 17, 5:00 PM ET*
Applicant Notifications: Summer 2025
*Please note that the application form on Submittable will automatically close and stop accepting applications at this time.
Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted and no exceptions will be made. We strongly recommend that applicants complete their applications in advance of the deadline to allow time for work samples to upload and to avoid potential technical problems.
Applicants will receive an automatic response from Submittable once their application has been successfully received.
DISCIPLINE DESCRIPTION
This category accepts work in all choreographic styles, including mixed-media or multi-genre performance works in which choreography and/or organized movement is primary.
APPLICATION CONTENTS
1. Work Samples
Work samples are a representation of your artistic work. This is the most important part of your application, as it will be the primary point of review. Keep in mind the panel reviews a large volume of material in quick succession; therefore, it is very important that you present your work clearly. This is not a project grant; therefore you should be submitting work that is completed, or is a completed piece of an ongoing/continuing body of work.
TIP: Work samples produced in the past five years are highly recommended. If you submit older work samples, consider providing an explanation as to why you chose the older work samples in the metadata section.
What to Submit:
Applicants can submit up to 2 videos: 1 Work Sample video up to 5 minutes in maximum length is required, and an additional Work Sample video up to 15 minutes in maximum length is optional. Each video should represent one body of work.
NOTE: The panel will only review up to the maximum duration allowed for each work sample. If your video upload or link goes beyond this duration, please provide your timestamps in the work sample description (metadata).
Applicants are able to choose between uploading their work samples directly to Submittable, or providing links to their work samples.
- Formats Accepted
- Uploads: MP4 & H.264 codec
- Recommended: No larger than 2 GB
- Do not label your work sample with your name.
- Submitting a video sample consisting of multiple clips from different projects is not allowed, such as “demo reels” or highlight reels.
Metadata Section in Application: A metadata section will appear on your application form after your work sample has been uploaded. In this section, you will be able to provide the following information:
Description (Video Uploads)
- Title
- Date of Completion
- Timestamps
- Additional information: Be sure to note whether your work samples represent documentation of a performance, installation, experience, etc
Formatting tips for video uploads: If your video files (uploads) are too large, you’ll need to compress them in order to upload them to the application. You can do so using video editing software, such as Movie Maker, Premiere, Final Cut, iMovie, etc.
When editing your video it is important to ensure your file is formatted correctly so that your video will play across a range of platforms whilst maintaining quality. Therefore it is important to choose the right codec and container for your file.
A codec is a method for encoding and decoding data and is used for compressing data, particularly video. Choosing the right container can depend on several desired outcomes, i.e. file size, playback quality, capabilities for re-editing etc. There are many codec and container combinations but h.264 and .mp4 are preferred as they are supported by a wide range of media players with little loss of quality.
- Formats Accepted
- Links: Youtube or Vimeo
- Do not label your work sample with your name.
- Submitting a video sample consisting of multiple clips from different projects is not allowed, such as“demo Reels” or highlight reels.
- For Video Links: Do not submit links to videos that need to be downloaded for access. Do not submit links to interactive websites. For online experiences or simulations, a video of the site in action is acceptable.
- Passwords for Video Links (if applicable): After you provide the link to your video, you will be requested to provide a password if applicable.
- Please ensure that the link and password you share will remain accessible until July 2025. Any broken links cannot be corrected after you submit your application.
Metadata Section in Application: A metadata section will appear on your application form below your link. In this section, you will be able to provide the following information:
Description (Video Link)
- Password (if applicable)
- Title
- Date of Completion
- Timestamps
- Additional information: Be sure to note whether your work samples represent documentation of a performance, installation, experience, etc.
2. Support Statements
Support statements are to be submitted directly to the application form in the corresponding textboxes. We recommend writing your statements in Microsoft Word or Google Docs and pasting them to Submittable. Document uploads for Support statements will not be accepted.
What to Submit:
(Required, 250-Words Max.): A concise statement giving an overview of your artistic practice.
- This statement should give a brief introduction to ideas, themes, and methods in your practice (i.e. how you make what you make, and/or why you make what you make).
- This statement should also specifically reflect the ideas and inspiration relevant to your submitted work samples.
- Use this statement to highlight your role in creating/executing the work, as well as describing the key technical aspects of the work.
- You can also describe the circumstances in which the viewer/audience should experience the work.
- Please include instructions on how to navigate your work if it’s interactive.
- This is not an Artist Bio.
(Optional, 250-Words Max.): A supplemental statement that describes how your work is related to and/or rooted in a specific cultural practice, tradition, or community. This statement can also offer an opportunity to describe how your artistic work relates to or stems from your culturally-specific lived experience(s).
EVALUATION PROCESS
Applications are reviewed over the course of 3 elimination rounds. All applications are reviewed anonymously in Round 1.
Rounds 1 & 2: The panel will carefully review and score assigned applications independently. Applications are assigned a number and are reviewed anonymously.
Round 3: The panel will meet as a group and collectively discuss the applications that have made it into this round, and conclude by selecting the Fellowship Recipients.
Peer review panelists will assess eligible applications according to the following evaluation criteria:
- Artistic Merit
- A competitive application demonstrates excellence in their discipline through strong Work Samples that highlight the applicant’s creativity, technical proficiency, and cohesive artistic vision.
- Clarity and Cohesiveness:
- A competitive application presents clear, concise, and compelling Support Statements that provide valuable insights into their practice and motivations. The Support Statements should work together with the submitted Work Samples to provide a comprehensive understanding of the applicant’s vision and goals.
- Originality and Innovation:
- A competitive application showcases innovative methods, ideas, and/or concepts that makes their work stand out within the discipline. Panelists will assess the uniqueness and originality of an applicant’s approach, including the quality of execution, innovation in materials or techniques, and the overall impact of your work.
As part of the evaluation process, the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship prioritizes applications from New York State residents who live outside of the New York City metropolitan area. While this prioritization is considered within each round of review, it does not guarantee any specific outcomes regarding who will ultimately be awarded a fellowship.
HOW TO APPLY
We only accept applications via Submittable. First-time users will need to register with Submittable to access the application portal.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted and no exceptions will be made. We strongly recommend that applicants complete their applications in advance of the deadline to allow time for work samples to upload and to avoid potential technical problems.
Applicants will receive an automatic response from Submittable once their application has been successfully received.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
Visit the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship homepage to view this year’s Information Sessions.
To request an accommodation or if you need assistance in applying online, please email [email protected] or call (212) 366-6900 ext. 166 on Tuesdays-Thursdays between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM ET (NYFA is currently working on a hybrid schedule). We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible, and no later than Wednesday, December 4 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.
