OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE U.S. DANCE FIELD

The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) announces an opportunity for presenters with extensive knowledge of the U.S and international dance communities to serve as Hub Site Representatives for the National Dance Project.

National Dance Project
NEFA’s National Dance Project (NDP) supports the production and touring of contemporary dance in the United States. Through grantmaking and other initiatives, NDP provides essential funding for dance artists and enables audiences in communities across the nation to experience the most creative and compelling dance of our time. Since its inception in 1996, the program has awarded over $9.3 million in grants.
  
The National Dance Project is made possible with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with additional funding provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Boeing Company Charitable Trust, among other contributors.

Advisory Structure
NDP’s grantmaking and program policy and direction are guided by a dedicated group of Hub Sites -- 10-12 representatives from organizations playing a leadership role in the development and presentation of dance -- and five Advisors who may be dancers, choreographers, managers, and/or presenters. The composition of this group ideally reflects a balance of ethnic, aesthetic, and geographic diversity and a range of experience and perspectives including dance-only and multi-disciplinary presenters from urban, rural and academic settings. Renewable, three-year terms of service are staggered to foster and sustain continuity across the group.  For more information about Hub Sites and for a list of current Hub Site Representatives and Advisors, visit: www.nefa.org/grants_services/partners/national_dance_project_partners#1

Role of Hub Site Representatives
NDP Hub Site Representatives meet three times a year to review proposals, make funding recommendations, and guide program policy. Meetings take place at locations across (and sometimes outside) the US, typically in mid-April, the last week of June, and the first week of November. Hub Site Representatives receive an annual honorarium to support administrative and travel expenses of participating in the program.

In addition to preparation for and participation in the annual meetings, Hub Site Representatives also advise artists in final proposal preparation, consult in tour development, present work when possible, and occasionally serve as presenter partners in the development of dance projects throughout their term of service.

Selection Criteria
Presenters interested in serving as a new or continuing Hub Site Representative will be considered according to the following criteria:
 

• A commitment over the next three to five years to the development and presentation of dance artists and/or multi-disciplinary artist projects of regional and national significance. This commitment is to be grounded in a history of similar activity.
• Activity in local, regional, national, and international partnerships and alliances in dance development and presentation efforts.
• A successful record of and continuing commitment to the securing of public and private resources (funding, facilities, equipment, etc.) to realize these projects.
• A history of taking a leadership role in encouraging participation in dance projects among fellow presenters regionally and nationally.
• A demonstrated interest in the link between dance and other contemporary performance forms (jazz, theater, performance art, etc.)

Application Process and Timeline
Interested presenters should submit a resume and letter of interest demonstrating how the applicant meets the selection criteria, what they hope to achieve by being a Hub Site Representative, and how it will impact their career, institution, and/or the community they serve. Decisions will be made by an advisory committee in early Fall 2010 for terms beginning January 2011. Applicants not selected for 2011will be considered for service beginning in 2012 and 2013. 

Send letter and resume, for arrival by Friday, April 30, 2010 to:
Jane Forde
Manager, National Dance Project
New England Foundation for the Arts
145 Tremont, Seventh Floor
Boston, MA 02111

Materials sent by fax or email will not be accepted.
Questions may be directed to program staff: Jane Forde jforde@nefa.org  or Julia Marx jmarx@nefa.org

About NEFA
NEFA creatively supports the movement of people, ideas, and resources in the arts within New England and beyond, makes vital connections between artists and communities, and builds the strength, knowledge, and leadership of the creative sector.  NEFA is a 501(c)(3) that operates with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New England state arts agencies, and from corporations, foundations and individuals.

NEFA currently administers grantmaking programs of regional, national, and international scope that support the performing arts, public art, and Native American artists. NEFA also leads projects and initiatives that range from the analysis of the impact of the creative economy to the creation of online tools which link and advance the cultural community. For more information on NEFA’s grant programs and services, please visit www.nefa.org or call 617.951.0010.