Application Guidelines
ABOUT
The Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects supports exceptional dance research and/or creation between a Western Canadian dance artist, artists, collectives or companies and an international dance artist or artists (interpreter or choreographer).
The prize is open to any dance artist, collective or dance company that:
- Is currently active in the professional dance milieu
- Has worked with a range of dance artists and/or dance companies and has a history of dance creation
- Has a home address in western Canada (MB, SK, AB, BC, YT, NWT)
- Is making application as an independent dance artist or as a member of a small collective or an established dance company
In 2023, Dance Victoria will allocate a total of $56,000 to the Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects program. Prize funds may be disbursed across multiple projects or could be awarded to one project. The Chrystal Dance Prize can include a residency at Dance Victoria Studios. Victoria accommodation, studio rental and (if required) technician, will be supported from the total Prize funds. The remainder of the Prize will be provided to the artist to support artist fees and other costs.
The Chrystal Dance Prize panel may consider projects that have a longer timeline (two or three-year development process) through the allocation of a multi-year award. Please indicate if you expect your project to be spread across more than one year. If a multi-year award is approved, the panel will require that the proponent provide a brief report at the end of the first year and a revised (if necessary) timeline and goals for the second and/or third year. The proponent will not be required to “re-propose” unless its original proposal has changed significantly.
Dance Victoria encourages artists from diverse communities to apply for the Chrystal Dance Prize. We welcome applications from persons of color, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification and advancement of dance in our community.
Dance Victoria is situated on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen speaking people of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, whose people have lived and danced on this land for thousands of years.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
The Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects proposal is a two-step process.
STEP ONE
Proponents for the 2023/24 Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects must complete an online Expression of Interest no later than 5:00 pm, October 14, 2023.
In addition to the Expression of Interest, you will be required to forward a letter/email from the international artist(s) involved in your project/research confirming their commitment. Ensure your collaborator clearly identifies you and your project in their letter to prevent any confusion.
PLEASE NOTE: Receiving a Chrystal Dance Prize in the past does not disqualify you from being awarded another Chrystal Dance Prize. In fact, you can be awarded a second prize for the same proposal.
PROCESS
A panel of no less than four dance professionals will consider all applications.
In making its choice(s), the panel will consider:
- The overall presentation of the proposal;
- Is the project exceptional?;
- The creativity, skill and unique perspective of the artists involved;
- Opportunity for growth and development of the applicant(s) as a result of the project; and
- The potential for future presentation by Dance Victoria.
The panel will develop a shortlist from the initial submissions and will ask shortlisted artists to provide additional information (STEP TWO) before making a final decision.
PLEASE NOTE: The Chrystal Dance Prize – Projects panel consists of Dance Victoria’s Executive Director (ED), one Board member, and two independent and external community members. In our small Victoria dance community, it is reasonable that an applicant will be connected to Dance Victoria as a staff member, studio access or artist residency participant, or similar. The panel will accept these applications and review them with equal criteria. In the case of a staff member or other direct conflict of interest, the ED will not score the application and only the external panel members scores will be considered.
The panel may elect not to award a prize in a given year if the projects submitted are not considered exceptional or ready for support. If the panel does not support any projects in a given year, the Chrystal Dance Prize funds will be re-invested for allocation in future years.
Applications and commitment letters must be emailed to [email protected] and received by Dance Victoria no later than 5:00 pm, October 14, 2023.
Questions? Contact Dance Victoria Executive Director, Gillian Jones at 250-595-1829 or [email protected].