Artists in Residence Research Series: Call for Submissions

Dates: The Research Series runs January-March, 2021

WHAT IS THE RESEARCH SERIES?

A residency program designed to support the creative processes of artists from all disciplines engaging in dance and/or movement-based research by providing resources such as artists fees, rehearsal space, and public presentation opportunities. The purpose of the residency is to allow for in-depth research, critical thinking, risk-taking, professional development, skill enhancement and an exchange of ideas.

Four (4) artists or artistic teams will be selected to participate in the 2021 Research Series via this application process. No less than two (2) of these teams will be Manitoban-led, and up to two (2) of these teams will be out-of-town-led. We encourage applicants from local, national, and international contexts with access to wifi to apply.

Young Lungs Dance Exchange (YLDE) is committed to the principle of equitable access and strives for a fair, cooperative, respectful, and safe environment that protects and promotes human rights and affirms the dignity of all persons. A minimum of one (1) Black, Indigenous, or artist of colour (or artistic team-lead) will be selected of the four (4) projects. We encourage you to self-identify.

YLDE has funds set aside to support a portion of accessibility-related costs. We are happy to work together with artists to secure the appropriate and necessary budgeting requirements.

Applications will be reviewed and chosen by a selection committee.

CONTEXT AND CRITERIA

Resources facilitated by YLDE during the residency:

• A budget of $3,500 for artist fees and additional labour and/or materials
• Access to an accessible studio space (up to 40 hrs)
• Access to technical support for virtual-based projects (up to 15 hrs)
• Access to YLDE workshops throughout the residency period
• Concluding roundtable discussion regarding the research undergone during the residency (online format)
• Public presentations of the research (online format)
• Presentation of your work will be documented
• Research will be considered for both written and visual essays published on the Young Lungs website

Each artist/group is required to adhere to the following:

• Adapt research format to meet Covid-19 safety protocols. We also encourage exploration with the parameters which physical distance has provided for the fields of performance and embodiment.
• Demonstrate/share their research at the online Research Series presentation. This event will be open to the public
• Participate in public discussion/talk back sessions on the artist’s research
• Develop an online workshop based on their research. This event will be open to the public
• Share their process with a commissioned writer, photographer, and other artists participating in the Research Series (ie. virtual studio visits, phone conversations, etc.)
• Submit a final report at the end of the residency detailing activities and feedback

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

To apply please submit the following information by email to younglungs.wpg@gmail.com

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Sunday, November 29, 2020.

1. Contact information: Full name, preferred pronouns, email, home address, phone number
2. A description of the research project (800 words max.): Explain the inspiration for your project and why you wish to undertake it at this time. Discuss your proposed research process, including a brief explanation for how your process will work well within restrictive Covid-19 safety protocols
3. Artistic statement (400 words max.): For collaborations, this can be a combined statement or include the statements of each applicant
4. CV (two-pages max.): For collaborations, please include one CV per collaborator
5. Biography of the lead artist(s) (each 250 words max.): If you are selected, this text could be used for promotional purposes (press release, website, social media, etc.)
6. Brief description of a proposed workshop based on your research (150 words max.)
7. Two items of support material: This can include recent dance or movement work/research, or relevant materials to provide context for your research proposal. Support material can be sent in the form of weblinks or attached documents with your emailed application. The jury will be asked to spend no more than 8 minutes on each submission’s support material. Please provide information on what you would like the jury to focus on if you are providing material that is longer than 4 minutes/1 written page/5 images each.
8. Budget: This is a critical part of the application. Make sure you are allocating enough funds towards maintaining a professional rate for all collaborators. YLDE suggests using the following guideline for dance artist fees – The CADA/West recommended MINIMUM for an hourly wage is $26.00/hr for professional artists. Materials, mentorship/consultation, and specific requirements should also be considered in the budget.

For questions, including further accessibility funds information, about our residency program, please do not hesitate to contact Zorya Arrow at younglungs.wpg@gmail.com.

Photo credit: Deanna Peters and Less San Miguel, Research Series (2019), Photo by Omid Moterassed.

Black Lives Matter. We Stand With You.

We, the Young Lungs Dance Exchange board of directors and staff, Stand in solidarity with Black communities leading the Black Lives Matter movement across the globe, seeking justice for Black lives lost at the hands of police and systemic racial violence.

As an organization we are dedicated to taking action now to dismantle systemic racism, white supremacy, and systems of oppression, from the inside of our organization, out.

We acknowledge that our board of directors, since the organization’s beginning, has predominantly consisted of white women, and we have historically programmed primarily white artists. We are funded by art institutions that are a product of a colonial system. We acknowledge that we are participating in this colonial system and benefit from white privilege.

Moving forward, as a not-for-profit artist-run support organization operating on Treaty 1 Territory:

We are committed to funding Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) artists in our upcoming and future Research Series, and ensuring BIPOC representation throughout our programming. 

We are committed to increasing BIPOC representation on our board and selection committees.

We are committed to prioritizing members of BIPOC communities and other marginalized groups in our search strategies and hiring process for a new Executive Director in the Fall.

We are committed to expanding the dance practices supported by our organization, including cultural dance practices from BIPOC communities.

We are committed to building relationships with dance organizations, with artists, and with supporters who are doing anti-racist work in pursuit of creating more inclusive spaces.

We are committed to adhering to the Indigenous Accord with which we have signed.

We are committed to educating our board and staff, starting with reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report Summary and discussing it together using the TRC Reading Guide for Non-Indigenous Organizations provided by Manitoba Harm Reduction Network.

In lieu of the workshop they were going to be leading in March 2020 that was canceled due to COVID-19, current Research Series artistic team Neilla Hawley, Mark Dela Cruz, and Emily Solstice Tait are sharing with the public an improv score they have put together as a part of their creative research. 

Curious?!? Give it a read, and launch into a physical exploration!

2018 – 2019 Annual Report

Please click the download button for a PDF copy of the 2018 – 2019 Young Lungs Dance Exchange’s Annual Report.

International Dance Day 2020: A Statement from Young Lungs Dance Exchange

The current situation around COVID-19 has given us a global choreographic score to live and work by as we navigate this uncertain time together. Remaining physically distant from each other gives International Dance Day added significance this year as we work through something that connects us across the world and effects our physical movement. Dancing expresses all that we are missing right now and it is a reminder how vital this art form is to our sense of connection.

Dance of all forms and styles offers us a meeting place to engage through our bodies and shared stories. A language that is truly shared; young to old, across abilities, backgrounds and around the world. Perhaps now more than ever we feel the push and pull to come together and move our bodies, as social media and online platforms swell with dance classes, parties, performances and living room routines. Dancing has always brought people together and it will once again. When the rhythm of this time shifts, the flood of dancing will once again fill the streets, the fields, the studios and stages. 

We invite everyone to take some time to consider how you dance, how dance connects with and intersects your life and how dancing can ultimately help us heal and celebrate. Thank you to the dance loving public and the funding bodies for your ongoing engagement and support of dance, dance artists and organizations.

On this day Young Lungs Dance Exchange acknowledges all the dance and dancers that have come before this time and we celebrate all the inspiring dancing yet to come. May we take the time to feel the pleasure in moving our bodies. May we continue to work to keep each other safe. May we look forward to the time when we can dance together again and share it with the world. It’s going to be a really great party!

Happy International Dance Day!
Young Lungs Dance Exchange

If you would like to send this statement to your local MP and MLA, please click the download button below for a letter version of this statement.

Below are also links to find your government official’s email address:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/search

https://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/Voting/MyVotingInfo

Photo Credit: Fighting Monkey Workshop with Alanna Kraaijeveld by Michelle Panting (2019)