Dance in Process (DiP) Overview
In the current rental market there is a lack of continuous access to quality workspace that supports New York City dance makers in the creation of new work. Choreographic processes are complex, collaborative, and unpredictable, and when adequate space is not available, momentum is broken, logistical problems emerge and progress is hindered.
Gibney Dance Center is committed to taking a bold next step: the development of a year-round creative immersion program — Dance in Process (DiP). This project will make the resources of one GDC studio and production office available to “mid-career” New York City-based artists who are in the “mid-stage” of developing new work, or who are testing new directions in their work. DiP will provide continuous access to high quality workspace, stipends and the full support of a thriving creative center. DiP will aim to provide the same level of focus and support that is often found in out of town residencies, but allow NYC-based companies to remain in the city. This program has the potential to provide a tremendous resource to the community and it is a logical next step in the development of the Center.
DiP will launch in September 2012, with twelve weeks of space being offered to artists through competitive proposal process. Building on the learning of the first year, and with modest funding, DiP Residencies could be offered year round at Gibney Dance Center, thus offering an unprecedented “home grown” opportunity for NYC choreographers.
Year One will see three months of continuous space divided among three to five artists. Two months of this space will be for residencies of vary lengths to be granted to two to four artists through a request for proposals and a panel review process. The third month of space will be granted to a single artist through the Presenter Partner. The first year Presenter Partner will be Danspace Project, with the leadership of Judy Hussie-Taylor.
The DiP Residencies will provide artists and their collaborators with:
Space- DiP Resident Artists will receive continuous access to a 36'x36’ studio space and adjacent production office at Gibney Dance Center at no charge
Time- DiP Residencies will vary in length from two to six weeks, space will be continuously available Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 7pm
Resources- DiP Resident Artists will select from a Residency Resource Menu consisting of opportunities for public engagement; cultivation events, feedback sessions and mentoring, physical and technical resources, relationship building and technical assistance. (More on the Menu later!)
Fees- In Year One, Resident Artists will be provided with a $500 stipend per residency week. (A two-week residency will offer a $1000 stipend; a month long residency will offer a $2000 stipend.) GDC recognizes that this stipend will most likely not cover all of the Resident Artists’ costs and is pursuing funding in order to offer more substantial fees in future years.
Application Process
DiP will follow a Two-Phase Proposal Process requiring applicants to think deeply about their work and potential use of the DiP resources.
Proposal Phase I will request background information, work samples, and a narrative describing the artists’ process, where they are in the trajectory of their body of work, how they would use the space and resources, and how they envision the evolution of their work. At the end of Phase I, the applicant pool will be narrowed down to 12
Proposal Phase II will request an additional work sample and narrative describing how the space and resources will be used and how the residency will be scheduled and funded. At the end of Phase II, the panel will choose three finalists and one alternate, all of whom will be notified of their status.
To apply to DiP, click here.
Panel Selection
Resident Artists will be chosen by the DiP Selection panel which will consist of three panelists, one alternate and one neutral, non-voting facilitator to maintain alignment with GDC values. In the pilot year, GDC will test the concept of having the final three panelists and alternate chose by vote of the applicants. A call for panelists will encourage self and peer nomination of qualified individuals who are knowledgeable about the NYC dance landscape, are able and willing to commit the time required for the DiP panel process, and can comply with the need for neutrality in the evaluation and selection process. DiP applicants will be encouraged to submit nominations as part of the proposal process.
Panel nominees will be informed of the requirements and expectations. Interested nominees will submit a bio and participate in an eligibility quiz. A GDC team consisting of Director Gina Gibney, one member of the organization’s staff and one member of its Advisory Group will carefully review the nominees to insure that only those who meet the criteria advance in the process. DiP applicants will be instructed to rank their first, second, and third choices. In order to promote a balanced tally, it will be made clear that those ballots that do not contain three choices will be eliminated.
The names of the panelists will be announced at the conclusion of the selection process, along with the announcement of the FY13 Resident Artists.
To submit a nomination for a DiP panelist, click here.
Resources
GDC will offer a Resource Menu for each Resident Artist to allow them to tailor the residency to their specific creative needs. To see the Resource Menu, click here.
In addition to the resource menu, GDC will facilitate connection and communication among all of the Resident Artists. For example, artists may view one another’s work, trade rehearsal space or present a share showing. GDC will also facilitate connection and communication among the Resident Artists, GDC community, and the field. As possible, the Presenter Partner and their designated Resident Artist will interact with other selected artists and be indirectly involved with all of the residencies.
For more information, contact the DiP Program Coordinator, Allie Pfeffer at dip@gibneydance.org
GDC/Studio 3 - Home to the new DiP Residency program at Gibney Dance Center
Photo by Samantha Siegel
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 11:11AM 
