BAM is proud to announce the call for its annual fellowship, established in 2015 in honor of Baba Chuck Davis’ tenure as Founding Artistic Director of DanceAfrica.

This unique opportunity is open to emerging choreographers, offering them a chance to travel to the African continent and study with one or more cultural knowledge specialists in African dance, in accordance with the awardee’s project proposal. The fellowship offers up to $10,000 in funding for travel, accommodations, instruction, and research expenses.

Please note: fellowship awardee’s first disbursement of funds are typically distributed in the form of a check to the awardee at DanceAfrica’s opening night after party presentation.

Applicants must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents and are required to submit a letter of intent that specifies the proposed area of research and country, as well as a detailed proposal that includes key artistic personnel and organizations, a timeline of activities, and equitable budget.

The fellowship selection committee is comprised of various members of DanceAfrica and BAM’s artistic teams, as well as leaders in the field of dance. Applicants will be notified in May and the fellowship recipient will be recognized at BAM’s annual DanceAfrica Festival.

The proposed project should take place within the period of June 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. Awardees are expected to document all aspects of the project—including travel, artistic progress, and process—and share the fruits of their work (in the form of a lecture, demonstration, showing, workshop, or other mode of expression) with the BAM community the weekend of May 24, 2024.

Application Deadline: March 27, 2023 at 11:59pm EST

For additional information, contact Mecca Madyun at 718.724.8122 or mmadyun@BAM.org.