Body Prayers: For artists

WE are reflections.

We are storytellers.

we are artists.

Body Prayers: For Artists (BPFA) is an independent program supported by an organizational grant from The Jerome Foundation. A Community Sharing with the commissioned Artists will happen late August/September 2023. More info TBD

Program Duration: September 2022 - September 2023

Purpose

Prayers: For Artists (BPFA) is a Poly - Realmic (RECLAIM, SURRENDER, CONJURE) practice that centralizes Black Dancers and utilizes Dance, Healing, Community collaboration, and transmission of knowledge to guide Black Artists to their most powerful version of themselves and Artistic Voice. BPFA is based in the understanding that it takes both traditional and innovative practices to reconcile communal harm, Heal the spirit, and give passion to create. Exploring how one takes care of themselves in the process of creating. In the midst of multiple and continuous pandemics BPFA gives grace to the Healing of the emerging Artist as they explore the creation of new work. The practice is rooted in these realms:

RECLAIM 

Collecting/Discovering the things we need to move towards Healing & Liberation

Our Breath = Collective Gathering

Our Bodies = Collective Action

Our Voice = Collective Storytelling

Our Rest = Collective Healing

SURRENDER

Surrender to the Flow of the Body, the Art we desire to create, our Collective Healing, and Rest.

CONJURE

 To Conjure your best-case scenario. To believe you hold the Power to create change in our Communities with your Art/Creations.

Caring for self is also caring for Community.

The saying “If you are unwell, then we are all unwell”, speaks volumes to how the BP program centralizes the well-being of Community. And in order for us all to be well, we must first care for ourselves. Our work and well-being is a reflection of how well we are doing as a Community. BPFA  guides that process for Dance/Ritual makers.

Selected artists will receive the following:

• Artists will receive $7,000 for participation. Installments throughout the program. The final $1,000 is paid on the last day of fellowship.

• Marketing will be provided by BPFA and Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts. Via mailers, social media, and press.

Eligibility Requirements:

• identify as Black.

• Applicants must be a resident of Minnesota, have lived in Minnesota for at least one year prior to application, and have produced choreographic works while living in Minnesota. 

• Recognized as emerging/early career under Jerome Foundation guidelines (https://www.jeromefdn.org/defining-early-career-emerging-artists). 

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

• Students, who are at the time of the application and/or will during the program period be enrolled in degree-granting programs (including K-12, college, graduate, or post-graduate studies), are NOT eligible.

Program Summary

• Monthly Workshops: Monthly workshops (Virtual & In-Person) that encompass, Body Prayers Movement, Professional Development, Process Building, and more.

• Community Intersections: Community Collaboration opportunities that contribute to their creative process. Artists have the time to build their Community network.

• Opportunity to Share: There will be a Community sharing where each Artist will have the opportunity to share up to 10 minutes of new work or reflections. Minimum tech support will be provided. More TBD

• Each Artists work will be documented by a professional videographer.

Selection Process:

6 Black Dance Artists will be selected for BPFA. This is a lottery process. Names will be pulled randomly and each selection will meet with two BPFA alums and two members of the Black Twin Cities Community. During this time, each selected Artist will get a deeper understanding of the program, their capacity, and what to expect. 

*Artists will be asked to submit a work sample, so everyone involved in the program has an understanding of the Artists’ work, goals, and challenges. These items are not used to grade, rank, or select Artists. This is a lottery selection process. The lottery renews every year. 

Submissions Are currently closed

Please contact us with any questions regarding the application guidelines: info@bodyprayerspractice.com

This is a lottery process. Names will be pulled randomly.

The lottery renews every year.