Dance Ellen Forman Memorial Award

DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2012

Ballet dancer

The Ellen Forman Memorial Fund Award (the "Award") of the Philadelphia Foundation was established as a memorial to Ellen Forman, who was a dancer, choreographer and educator for over twenty years in the Philadelphia area. To honor the memory of Ellen Forman's contribution to the dance community, the Ellen Forman Memorial Award Fund and Drexel University provide an Award to a Philadelphia area choreographer to set an original or reconstructed work as part of the Drexel University Dance Ensemble during the 2012-2013 Academic year. The fund is administered by The Philadelphia Foundation and Award decisions are made with the advice of the Ellen Forman Memorial Award Advisory Committee. EFMA encourages applicants who represent diversity in culture, ethnicity, age and gender.

The Ellen Forman Memorial Award for 2012 will consist of:

A $2,000 cash award ($1500 from EFMA & $500 from Drexel);
Payment by Drexel of the production costs of the performance in Drexel's Mandell Theater, rehearsal space in the Ellen Forman Memorial Dance Studio at Drexel University, costs of costumes and any necessary sets or props not to exceed $750, digital sound editing/digital video recording of the performance.

Qualifications for Eligibility for the Award

To be eligible to receive the Award, applicants must:

Be professional choreographers who are currently working in the fields of modern dance or performance art
Reside or present work regularly in the Philadelphia five-county area

The Committee assesses each applicant according to the following criteria:

Philosophy of work
Artistic vision articulated
Quality of presentation materials
Creativity and excellence as shown in a video sample and project description
Evidence of the following qualities, particularly characteristic of Ellen Forman's work:

Innovative
Multidisciplinary
Risk-Taking
Collaborative

Full-time students are not eligible. The award may not be used to support a dance company; it may be used only for the individual applicant.
Awardees may reapply to the fund after seven years

Submission Requirements for the Award

Applicants for the Award should submit ten (10) copies of the following.

A statement no longer than two pages concerning the applicant's philosophy of work, including a description of the work the applicant plans to choreograph if awarded the Award;
A resume no longer than two pages;
A list of prior awards received, if not already included in the resume.

Applicants should also submit one (1) video of the applicant's own performance and/or choreography. For the video, applicants must:

Ensure the video is in DVD format;
Clearly label the video with the applicant's name and "EFMA 2012;"
Designate the time code for a DVD, at which the applicant wants the panel to start viewing.
Please ensure that the segment chosen can be easily viewed.
On a separate sheet, with the DVD, provide the following information about the video:

Clearly indicate the 5 minute segment the applicant wants the committee to view.
The title, date, and venue of the piece;
The names of all performers in the piece;
The actual length of the full piece.
A short paragraph (no longer than half a page) about the piece and why the applicant chose it to represent his or her work;

Please enclose a suitable self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage to ensure return of the video.

Applicants may be disqualified if applications are incomplete.

ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED TO:
Dr. Miriam Giguere
Dance Program / Department of Performing Arts
2018 MacAlister Hall
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Attention: Ellen Forman Award

APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1, 2012

THE RECIPIENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY OF 2012.

IRS CODE REQUIRES THAT AWARDS ARE TAXABLE

Applicants with questions may contact Susan Deutsch at susand948@aol.com.