Application Process
& Deadlines

Application Process

  1. Read the scholarship Benefits & Responsibilities

  2. Read the Application Requirements below to ensure that you are eligible.

  3. Click the Apply button below to complete the online application for your selected track; the application will close at 11:45 pm ET on June 5, 2017 OR when 100 applications have been submitted for each track

  4. Awardees will be notified by email no later than June 26, 2016

Important Notes About the Application Process

  • Only the first 100 applications submitted for each track will be considered

  • If 100 applications for either track have been submitted before the June 5, 2017 deadline, no additional applications will be accepted for that track

  • Only one awardee will be selected for each track

  • You may not apply if you have previously been awarded the scholarship

  • You may apply if you have previously applied, but not be awarded the scholarship

  • Applications are evaluated blind; no personal information is provided to the selection panel

Selection Process
& Panel

The selection panel includes NYC-based dance professionals who represent disparate backgrounds, professional performance experience, and training practices. 

Benny Simon
PhD Student, Dance Studies, The Ohio State University
Faculty Member, BalletMet

Alexandra Beller
Artistic Director, Alexandra Beller/Dances
http://alexandrabellerdances.org

Joya Powell
Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer, Movement of the People Dance Company
http://www.movementofthepeopledance.com

Amy Miller
Associate Artistic Director, Gibney Dance Company
http://gibneydance.org

Christina Robeson
Performer, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
http://newyorklivearts.org/btj-az-company/

Danté Brown
Artistic Director, Warehouse Dance
http://warehousedance.org

Additional selection panel members will be added shortly.

Applications are divided equally between panel members. Each panel member selects one finalist for each track. The two awardees are selected from the finalists through discussion and a voting process.

All applications are evaluated blind; no personal information is provided to the selection panel.

Application Requirements
and Eligibility

Individuals applying for the Developing Artist Track must be:

  • Dance artists who have lived and trained as a dancer in the New York City area for less than two years*

  • Able to attend three additional classes per week in addition to their current dance training schedule

  • Able to fit one of the workshop or intensive options into their schedule (see workshop and intensive dates on the Benefits & Responsibilities page)

  • A citizen of the United States

  • 18 years or older

* "Less than two years" includes dancers who have recently moved to the New York City area. For example, if you moved to the New York City area last week, you are eligible

* “New York City area” includes all five New York City boroughs or areas within daily commuting distance to Manhattan (such as Jersey City)

Individuals applying for the Emerging Artist Track must be:

  • Pre-professional dance artists who have lived and worked as a dancer in the New York City area for two years or longer*

  • Able to attend three additional classes per week in addition to their current dance training schedule

  • Able to fit one of the workshop or intensive options into their schedule (see workshop and intensive dates on the Benefits & Responsibilities page)

  • A citizen of the United States

  • 18 years or older

* "Pre-professional” is defined as someone who is pursuing a career as a professional dancer, is consistently already taking a 2-3 dance classes per week, and is not dancing for a total of 20 hours or more as a paid employee for one or more dance companies

* “Worked” is defined as someone who is consistently taking weekly dance classes and has been performing or seeking performance opportunities

* “New York City area” includes all five New York City boroughs or areas within daily commuting distance to Manhattan (such as Jersey City)

Individuals not eligible for the scholarship include:

  • Dance artists who are planning to move to the New York City area, but have not yet done so at the time of application submission

  • Dance artists who are dancing for a total of 20 hours or more as a paid employee for one or more dance companies

  • Dance artists with independent means for funding their complete dance education

  • Dance artists whose dance training is supported by another scholarship or work study program

  • Dance artists who have previously been awarded The Simon Family Scholarship

  • Dance artists enrolled in a conservatory, training program, or other degree-granting program

  • Dance artists who are not residents of the New York City area at the time of submission of the application