Applications for Dance Source Houston’s 2nd Annual Barnstorm Dance Fest and Production Grants Now Open

Contact: Stephanie Todd Wong, Executive Director, Dance Source Houston
Email: stephanie@dancesourcehouston.org
Phone: 713.224.DANC (3262)
www.dancesourcehouston.org

 

HOUSTON, TX, November 1, 2015. Dance Source Houston is pleased to announce that applications for its 2nd Annual Barnstorm Dance Fest, as well as a new round of Production Grants are now open.   In addition to continuing its Artist-in-Residence (AIR) opportunity for individual artists, DSH is excited to announce its Production Grants and Barnstorm Dance Fest will also return this season.  “We believe these programs are an essential component in our efforts to support dance artists and small to mid-sized dance organizations in Houston,” says Executive Director, Stephanie Todd Wong.  “Dance makers face many obstacles during the choreographic process, and I’m thrilled to continue working closely with our dance community to provide these important opportunities.”  Applications for both the Production Grants and Barnstorm Dance Fest are available at dancesourcehouston.org.

Production Grants

The Production Grant program is designed to provide individual dance artists and dance organizations with funds to offset the cost of self-producing and create an opportunity for artists to try something new that would have been unattainable due to funding constraints. During the 2014-2015 performance season, Dance Source Houston re-granted a total of $9,000 to independent artists and small to midsize organizations in amounts ranging from $500-$750. With a total of $14,000 available for the current season, DSH hopes to offer grants to even more organizations and raise the level of production quality across the community.  Funds from Production grant program must be used toward the cost of technical elements related to the production of a dance performance.  Some areas where the grants could be used are lighting elements/design, stage management, costume design/creation, sound design/creation, set design/creation, etc.  Guidelines and applications for the Micro Grant program are now available and will remain open until June 30, 2016 or funds run out.

Barnstorm Dance Fest

The Barnstorm Dance Fest provides performance opportunities for approximately 20 different choreographers and dance companies over the course of multiple weekends and performances.  Each weekend features the work of 6-7 diverse artists and dance companies.  Running the gamut from modern and belly dance to Bharatanatyam and hip hop, one of the primary goals of the festival is to showcase the breadth and diversity of the Houston dance scene.  Because shows are presented in a showcase format with multiple styles of dance sharing the same stage on the same night, the festival provides an opportunity for audiences to meet new artists and experience new forms of dance.  The 2016 festival will take place June 16-25, 2016 at The Barn – Dance Source Performing Arts Space, and will include work from DSH’s five artists in residence, as well as selected applicants.  The Barnstorm Dance Fest provides artists with an opportunity to present work without the burden of producing a full performance themselves.  And it provides Houston’s dance audiences with an opportunity to discover new artists to love.  Submissions from all genres of dance are encouraged.  Applications for the Barnstorm Dance Fest are now available and will be accepted through January 15, 2016.

About Dance Source Houston
Dance Source Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating audiences and appreciation for contemporary dance in Houston and beyond. Dance Source Houston publishes The Dance Card – Houston dance event listings and The Dance DiSH online magazine.  Dance Source also manages The Barn – Dance Source Performing Arts Space, a 7200 square foot facility housing 2 large dance studios and a 120-seat black box theatre dedicated to supporting Houston’s dance community.  These activities are supported in part by a grant from The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment, Inc., The Heimbinder Family Foundation and the Nightingale Code Foundation.   www.dancesourcehouston.org

###