America is not doing very well with the pandemic response, which now puts the fall/winter season in serious jeopardy. Be safe out there.
Also, since I’m unlikely to have access to archives and libraries for some time, I’ve decided to slice up the treatise on dance in the region and push the mostly-finished parts out to the world so you (and everyone else) in the community can start tearing it apart and use it to make plans and dream visions for the future of dance in the region. At this point, I think it’s more important to get the material out there sooner, rather than better. I still do need to assemble some resources to make that happen, but thanks for your patience on this thing. The deep-dives into history and stories will come eventually.
MNRI-MSAC Grant opportunity
Part of the Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative, the Maryland State Arts Council has an emergency grant program, with a coming-real-soon-now deadline (August 3). This is a pretty limited pool of money ($3 million), so make sure you address EVERY point in the rubric if you apply. Detailed information here: https://www.msac.org/grants/emergency-grant
MPT STIRcrazy
This has been around a while, but… apparently still looking for submissions. Dance is historically poorly represented with MPT (lookin’ at you ArtWorks…), so this is a bit of a chance to bend that curve. MPT STIRcrazy is looking for “YOUR creative endeavors during this time of COVID-19.” Submission information here: https://www.mpt.org/programs/stircrazy/
ArtWorks is re-tooling for their new season, so it would be great to see dance (and more importantly, LOCAL dance) in their new format. Give them some amazing stuff with STIRcrazy – that might help.
SBA Grant/Loan program
For gig workers (teaching and performing gigs do count…), there’s an SBA program that offers a $1000 grant and $10,000 loan, but… it’s confusing. If you are a sole proprietor, without employees, a contractor, a freelancer, or a gig worker, and you were in business before 2020, you qualify. The best description I’ve found is from the Motley Fool people at USA Today ( https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/14/uber-drivers-gig-workers-get-an-extra-1000-coronavirus-stimulus-funds/112154302/ ). Pay special attention to the “Are there any strings attached?” section. You should be able to get the grant and refuse the loan (assuming there are still funds available). If you have success with this, please do let me know, so I can forward your experience to others.
Dance Educators Training Institute 2020
DETI (Dance Educators Training Institute) is virtual this year. August 17-19. DETI is presenting 12 sessions over three days from. More information here: https://www.clancyworks.org/deti/
Know anyone with Dance/USA?
I’m looking for someone at Dance/USA to talk about distribution for material about dance in the Baltimore Region… anyone connected?
And, because we gotta have a little joy in our lives… Some cut paper dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cib8MM_kxrE
Please #BRDS2020 and bring friends to #BRDS2020 ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 )
Please stay home.
Please keep dancing.
Please reach out to people directly and personally. They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you. I will miss you.
Simple acts of kindness do matter. Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.
If there is something I can do, please let me know.