FAQs

This program recognizes that the COVID pandemic has impacted opportunities for live dance performance in general. You do not need to have contracted COVID to apply. You may have experienced other impacts of the pandemic; for example, loss of work, lack of income, need to relocate to regain dance engagements, loss of housing due to rent increase; etc.

Activity as a paid dancer (in any stage/performance style, including aerial, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern, tap, and traditional/folk) over at least the last three years in public-facing performances (outside of educational/academic settings). Inactivity, or online/streaming activity, during COVID is allowable. Self-produced online presentation and/or performances shared solely through Instagram or Facebook are not eligible. Your resume/bio must include: Title/production/event, company (if applicable), your position/role, location, date(s) for each engagement. We do not accept work samples or URLs/links.

Your resume/bio must include: Title/production/event, company (if applicable), your position/role (for example: Dancer; Ensemble Member; etc.), location, date/s (at least the year) for each engagement. If you perform your own work, make it clear that you were BOTH the choreographer and dancer. We do not accept work samples or URLs/links.

Two things: Who is eligible, and what expenses can be requested. Both programs are for artists in need, and have an income ceiling for eligibility. Please see each program’s guidelines for additional details.

Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants are open to professional dancers in a dire financial emergency due to COVID-19. Eligible applicants may request essential expenses such as housing, food, utilities, and medical care. Choreographers may not apply unless they also have recent and sustained activity as a professional dancer.

Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants are open to artists working in the visual arts, film/video/digital/electronic arts, and choreography. Eligible applicants may request funds for recent medical/dental/mental health emergencies. Dancers may not apply unless they also have recent and sustained activity as a choreographer.

Yes.

Yes, if you also can demonstrate being a professional dancer over the last 3-4 years.

This program is intended for dancers who have lost live performing engagements/opportunities for public audiences. Therefore, performances in competitive settings, K-12 and undergraduate educational settings, social dance, commercial settings (clubs, exotic dance, commercials, industrials, etc.) are not eligible.

Yes, if the production was available for broad public viewing which is demonstrated on the resume (screening, broadcast, etc.), and if you also perform in live productions. If you perform exclusively in film/television, you may not apply.

Yes, if it is clear that your roles were primarily as a dancer.

Yes, if you also can demonstrate being a professional dance performer over at least the last 3-4 years.

You must demonstrate, through your narrative, an urgent and critical need for emergency support due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact. Loss or lack of income is expected to be part of this emergency situation.

No. With our limited funds, we want to serve as many artists as possible.

If you are not awarded funding, and you still meet the eligibility criteria for a future cycle, you may re-apply. You may not receive more than one Rauschenberg Emergency grant in a lifetime.

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

Mortgage payments; expenses related to other family members – e.g. food, healthcare, child/parent-care; credit card debt or student loans; and purchases of vehicles or other equipment.

Monthly rent and security deposits. Mortgage payments and mortgage insurance, and property/liability insurance, are not eligible. You may request a maximum of three months’ expenses.

Monthly electric, gas, internet, and cellphone expenses, and purchases of home heating fuel. Cable television expenses are not eligible. You may request a maximum of three months’ expenses.

Purchases of groceries and prepared food for the individual dance applicant only. Dine-in restaurant expenses are not eligible. You may request a maximum of three months’ expenses.

Monthly insurance premiums for the individual dance applicant only; out-of-pocket expenses for emergency medical, dental and/or mental health treatment.

Vehicle payments, vehicle insurance, fuel, rideshares/taxis, and mass transit. Airfare may be requested only for expenses to return to your home base if you were displaced due to COVID-19. For monthly expenses, you may request a maximum of three months’ worth. Vehicle purchases are not eligible.

You must describe the essential nature of any additional types of expenses, and describe/itemize the expense. For monthly expenses, you may request a maximum of three months’ worth. Credit card debt and student loans are not eligible expenses.

No.

For Cycle 7:

Applications Open: January 10, 2023, 10:00 AM EST

Applications Close: February 17, 2023, 5:00 PM EST*

Notification of Award: April 30, 2023

For Cycle 8, the application will open March 21 with a deadline of April 28, for essential expenses between December 1 and September 30, 2023. Applicants will be notified of their status by June 9.

*Please note that the application form on Submittable will automatically close and stop accepting applications at this time.

All eligible applications are reviewed at the same time by the panel, so there is no advantage to applying quickly or early. We recommend you take your time to submit a strong and complete application by the deadline.