COMMISSION APPLICATION & GUIDELINES
Resilience and Continuity
An Armenian Dance Celebration
The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Performing Arts Division (PERF) is excited to announce an open call for Armenian dance groups to perform in Resilience and Continuity: Celebrating the Continuity of Armenian Culture and Dance Հայկական պարի/մշակույթի մնայունության տոնակատարություն.
DCA invites dance troupes within the world of Armenian dance who currently reside in North Hollywood or the greater Los Angeles area, to apply for the opportunity to showcase classic Armenian dance traditions, as well as contemporary Armenian dance innovations.
Photo Curtesy of Simakey Gymnastics/Arts School
EVENT DETAILS:
- Location: The Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
- Date: March 16, 2024
- Time: 2:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
PROJECT SCHEDULE:
- Date Call is Announced: Monday, January 22, 2024
- Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
- Peer Review Panel Scoring of Applicants: 2/8/24 – 2/14/24
- Announcement of Commissioned Artists: 2/16/24
- Rehearsal Space Available by Appointment: 2/21/24 – 3/9/24
- All assets from performers due (program information, bios, music): 3/1/24
- Tech/Dress Rehearsal(s) TBD: 3/10/24-3/14/24
- Preview Performance: 3/15/24 @ 7:30 p.m.
- Performances: 3/16/24 @ 2:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
FUNDING:
Groups will receive a $2,500 commission to perform in the event. Commissions are distributed to artists after the project is completed in full. Payment may take up to six months to receive after project completion.
Please Note: 2024 grant recipients through the DCA Grant Division are not eligible to apply for this commission.
COMMISSION DELIVERABLES:
Troupes are expected to complete the following:
Share their involvement in the event through their social media accounts including #dca-lankershimtheatre@lacity.org;
Schedule a maximum of three (3) rehearsals at the Lankershim Arts Center, at no cost to the participating group;
Provide the choreographer(s) bio(s) by the designated deadline and word count;
Provide a digital copy of the music for the performance by the designated deadline (If more than one song is used, they must be combined digitally into a single file);
Choreograph and costume the 15 minutes of dance which should include both traditional and modern dance, as well as group and solo work;
Group participates in tech/dress rehearsal as scheduled; and
Group performs the same dance at all three performances.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
To be considered, interested individuals must adhere to the following submission guidelines:
- Short Bio: Applicants must submit a brief biography detailing their dance experience in both in Armenia and the United States.
- Video Sample: A video sample link showcasing the applicant’s choreography. The video should not exceed five minutes in length.
- Social Media and Press: Provide any links to social media accounts that you manage. Any reviews, press coverage, or testimonials from previous performances are highly encouraged.
- Professional Image: Applicants must include a high-quality, professional images. These images will be used for promotional materials and event marketing. Please include the group/organization movement images, the choreographer’s headshot, and if available the group/organization still image. Please send a minimum of two images and a maximum of five images.
- Photo/Video Release Form: Applicants must submit a photo/video release form(s) for the images submitted. Please be sure to have each dancer(s) in images complete a form.
- Commission Proposal: Applicants should write 1-2 paragraphs detailing how they intend to use the commission, i.e. the dance style, choreography format (group, trio, duet, solo, etc.), and the meaning and/or story behind the proposed choreography.
- BTRC (Business Tax Registration Certificate): The organization responsible for receiving the commission payment must submit a copy of their BTRC. If the applicant requires further information or instruction please contact Amy DeCaro via email at amy.decaro@lacity.org, or by phone at (213) 270-8200.
SUBMISSION PROCESS:
All materials must be submitted electronically to amy.decaro@lacity.org. The submission window is open from January 22, 2024 to February 7, 2024.
Selection Process: A peer review panel of experts in Armenian dance and culture will evaluate submissions based on:
- Experience
- Creativity
- Ability
- Professionalism
Criteria Scoring: The peer review panel will assign applicant scores based on the following criteria. Descriptions in italics below indicate the full point(s) awarded criteria.
| CRITERIA | FULL POINT VALUE |
| Completed Application: All Requirements Submitted by Deadline | 1 |
| Organization/Choreographer Based in Council District 2: Applicant lives and/or works within the Council District boundaries. | 5 |
| Artistic Practice: Well developed and well-practiced. | 7 |
| Emerging Armenian Artist Status Exhibited: Dance experience began in Armenia & then rebuilt in America, and have been creating professional work outside of the Armenian community for less than 5 years. | 4 |
| Armenian Dancer Involvement in Proposed Performance: The organization/group and performance involves Armenian youth and adults. | 5 |
| Performance is Based in Armenian Folk Dance: Proposed performance style is both based in Armenian Folk Dance & provides modern adaptations. | 7 |
| Diversity of Dance Style Represented in Performance Idea: Proposed performance includes segments of Folk, Ballet, and Modern Dance. | 3 |
| Diversity in Dance Format: Proposed performance includes segments of both group work and solo work. | 3 |
| Is the Circle Represented in the Choreography/Performance Idea? | 2 |
| Compelling Proposed Idea for Performance: Proposed performance piece seems interesting, exciting, and dynamic. | 7 |