Vermont Performance Lab Launches SEED Program to Support Local Dance-Makers
In response to the need for more comprehensive support for New England artists working in dance, Vermont Performance Lab (VPL) is creating The SEED Program in partnership with Studio 303 in Montreal as part of a dance residency exchange between New England and Quebec.
Guilford, VT, October 2, 2015 (Newswire.com) - In response to the need for more comprehensive support for New England artists working in dance, Vermont Performance Lab (VPL) is creating The SEED Program in partnership with Studio 303 in Montreal as part of a dance residency exchange between New England and Quebec. This pilot program is designed for local professional artists working in dance, who are living within a 60-mile radius of VPL’s home-base in Guilford, Vermont and are seeking to develop new performance projects for small scale touring.
Each year, VPL provides artists with residencies and support to research and develop new work in dance, theater, film and music. This year, VPL expands its reach to include The SEED Program as a way to directly support local artists in the creation of new dance works, building visibility for local artists and helping artists get their work into other communities. “VPL does so much more than just provide space, time and commission money… What was sparked there went way beyond the residency,” says New Haven based choreographer and former VPL Lab artist, Adele Myers.
"There is a need to build a more secure and dynamic future for regional choreographers and this residency program addresses that need."
Sara Coffey, Founder/Director of Vermont Performance Lab
VPL is pleased to announce the call for applications to The SEED Program. The artists selected to participate will have support to develop and share their work in Southern Vermont and Montreal. The unique exchange with Studio 303, a performance incubator that shares VPL’s values and has a track record of supporting emerging artists working in contemporary dance and performance, is meant as an added value for SEED artists to deepen their work in a new environment and give broader visibility to the artists and their work.
Choreographers and collaborating artists will be asked to co-design activities that will engage VPL’s community in the artist’s process or research and may include offering a workshop or participating in a round-table discussion or community dinner or a post-show discussion. “There is a need to build a more secure and dynamic future for regional choreographers and this residency program addresses that need,” says VPL Founder/Director Sara Coffey.
For more information, guidelines, and to apply before the October 16, 2015 deadline, please visit: www.vermontperformancelab.org.
The 2015-2016 SEED Program is a partnership with Studio 303 in Montreal as part of a dance residency exchange between New England and Quebec, and is made possible in part with support from the Vermont Community Foundation, the Vermont Arts Council, the New England Foundation for the Arts and the Quebec Delegation to Boston.
ABOUT VERMONT PERFORMANCE LAB:
Vermont Performance Lab (VPL) is a laboratory for creative research and community engagement. Since 2006, VPL has brought artists of regional, national and international stature to the grange halls, studios and classrooms of rural Vermont through its innovative artist residency program. Last year VPL’s community and education programs served more than 1,700 students, young professionals, families and seniors in Windham County through workshops, informal performances and art-making experiences. VPL often partners with local organizations to host such residencies and create meaningful connections between artists and communities. www.vermontperformancelab.org
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ABOUT STUDIO 303:
Studio 303 began operations in 1989 when three choreographers created a communal space where dancers could train, rehearse and perform. By day a dance studio, the space was transformed once a month to informally present new works within the Vernissage-danse series.
In 1994, Miriam Ginestier and Paul Caskey took over as Co-Artistic Directors, and under their direction new recurring events expanded the organisation’s interdisciplinary profile such as popular fundraising cabarets, Bruits du Noir, Edgy Women, the Home Show, and projet/projo. From 1996 to 2005, Studio 303 also housed Gallery 303 (often voted Montreal’s best gallery by Montreal Mirror readers), and for three years co-presented FA3 – an international performance art festival. Studio 303 created a residency program for emerging artists (1999), expanded the Edgy Women event into a festival (2005), and instigated several artist exchange initiatives.
Since 2005, Miriam Ginestier has been the sole artistic director. In 2009, Studio 303 celebrated its 20th anniversary with VINGT, a choreographic “exquisite corpse” presented at Place des Arts. Studio 303 created SPARK in 2010: an intimate arts showcase and exchange between Montréal artists and international presenters. The Edgy Women Festival celebrated its 20th and final edition in 2013 in situ at a local boxing club, inspiring artists and audiences with its sports/art/gender theme.
In 2013, Studio 303 lost its Canadian Heritage funding after 12 years of consistent support. To accommodate this loss, the organization has downsized its presenting activities and refocused its energy on its roots as an artist-run professional development and creation centre.
www.studio303.ca/en