Memorial University, in partnership with Creative Gros Morne, and DanceNL, invites applications for a Dance Residency of six weeks during the Fall (Sept.-Dec.) 2016 Semester, subject to funding approval.

The Dancer-in-Residence is open to dance scholars and emerging and established dancers in any genre whose creative work demonstrates a high level of artistic achievement.

This residency has two major components: first, to allow the artist time and resources to work on a central project which expands their practice or scholarly activity; and second, to foster public engagement between Memorial University, the dance community of the province, and the wider public. The Dancer-in- Residence will be expected to interact with these communities in ways applicable to their expertise and the needs of the relevant community: for example, through workshops, performances, consultations, and/or presentations.

This unique residency takes place in three diverse locations: the St. John’s campus of Memorial University, the Grenfell Campus of Memorial (located on the west coast of Newfoundland, in Corner Brook), and in Gros Morne National Park. Each location offers different opportunities to engage with academics, scientists, dancers, musicians, history, and the natural world.

Memorial University of Newfoundland is one of Canada’s most distinguished post-secondary institutions. As the only university in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University plays an integral role in the educational, business and cultural life of the province, and is committed to excellence in teaching, research and public engagement.

At the St. John’s campus, the Dancer-in-Residence is expected to work with students in a number of academic units and to incubate their own creative work or scholarly project.

At the Grenfell Campus, the primary focus is the artist’s core project- this can be through development, research, and/or rehearsal. The Dancer-in-Residence is also expected to engage with students at the Division of Fine Arts through class leadership, workshops, or in other ways appropriate to the artist’s practice.

The Gros Morne National Park portion of the residency will provide the candidate with time for private scholarship and creation within the park. Gros Morne National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It offers unique geological significance amid an area of outstanding natural beauty. This portion of the residency will be coordinated with Creative Gros Morne to complement the overall project goals of the candidate.

Co-ordinated through Dance NL, at each location The Dancer-in- Residence is expected to engage with the dance community in locally appropriate ways: such as, conducting DanceNL workshop(s), networking with local artists, public performance(s) and/or lecture(s).

We seek a highly motivated, innovative dancer or dance scholar with an artistic or scholarly vision that can be shared and explored both within and outside the academic community.

Dancers/scholars wishing to be considered for the residency are asked to provide the following, no later than January 8, 2016:

1.) a letter of application which includes a.) a statement of how the residence will contribute to the artistic/scholarly development of your own work and b.) a brief description of the core project(s), its goal(s) and how it relates to the three locations noted above (max. 750 words)
2.) a current CV (max. 3 pages)
3.) (Optional) support material in the form of photos (in jpg format, no more than 10), video of past work (no more than 8 minutes), and/or full reviews of recent work (no more than 4).
The residency provides a stipend (approx. $1650/week), an allowance for travel to, from, and within Newfoundland (max. $2500), accommodation in each location, and the possibility of allowance for other residency costs, such as studio rental, videography, photography, materials, etc.
Questions and applications should be sent only via email, and be addressed to: danceres@grenfell.mun.ca.

Photo: Dance Resident Karen Kaeja gives a talk following a presentation at the Grenfell Campus Art Gallery.