The Live Music for Dance program has one deadline per year. The next deadline is December 1, 2011 (LMD 2012) for projects with performances in New York or New Jersey (for New Jersey-based companies) between January 1, 2012 and May 31, 2013.
Live Music for Dance provides grants to New York City and New Jersey-based professional dance companies for collaborative projects involving a composer and/or musicians. Grants are provided for composer commission fees and musicians' fees for live performance. (NJ companies may also apply for dancer rehearsal fees related to the project.) Grants are project based.
For more information, contact Jenny Clarke: jclarke@amc.net (office hours are Tuesdays 10-6 and Wednesdays 10-1).
AMC MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A LIVE MUSIC FOR DANCE GRANT.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Questions
Who can apply for a Live Music for Dance grant?
Dance companies based in the five boroughs of New York City and in New Jersey are eligible to apply.
Can a dance previously-funded company apply if they have not completed their prior LMD-funded project or submitted a final report?
No.
Can a dance company apply now if they've never applied or been funded before?
Yes.
Can music ensembles, individual musicians or individual choreographers apply?
No.
Can presenting organizations apply?
No.
If a company is not a 501c3 nonprofit organization can it still apply?
Yes - with a fiscal sponsor - a nonprofit organization that applies on your behalf.
What can a dance company apply for?
Artists fees. For NY-based companies, musicians fees for NY seasons or composer commission fees for NY season. For NJ-based companies, the same plus fees for dancers to work on the music described in the application (up to 30% of requested amount).
Can we apply for travel expenses or production costs?
Definitely not. Only actual fees that are paid to artists are eligible.
Is there a time-frame in which projects must take place?
Yes - January 1, 2012 - May 31, 2013.
What kind of performances are eligible?
Only fully-produced public performances presented by professional dance companies are eligible. Workshops, classes, musicians for classes, private events, student performances, and studio showcases are not eligible.
When requesting musicians’ fees, are there any restrictions on music styles or genres?
LMD funds performances of work by American composers only. Grants are not awarded for projects involving classical European works.
There are no restrictions on musical styles by American composers. Funded projects have included contemporary concert and chamber music, vocal and choral works, jazz, Bluegrass, and music reflecting a variety of cultural influences.
Can a dance company request funds for a collaboration between more than one composer?
Yes, but each composer must submit work samples and meet all the eligibility requirements.
Can the composer and musician be the same person?
Yes. You would submit one request which has two parts to it - a request for a composer's commission fee and a request for performance fees.
Application Process Questions
Please note - all applications are submitted via an online application process this year. Please start early. No extensions will be possible.
For the questions that require uploaded docuements, can I leave these blank if I don't have the document?
No. You will not be able to submit the application. You must upload a document - even if it is a simple explanation of why the required documents are not available.
I'm trying to log in with my AMC member info but it's not working. What do I do?
Your AMC membership log-in won't work here. You will need to create a new account.
Should applications and materials be submitted online AND by mail?
No. Paper materials will not be accepted or reviewed, with the exception of music scores that can't be submitted as a PDF.
Will you let us know if we have omitted materials?
No. Incomplete applications are ruled ineligible and will not be accepted or reviewed.
Can support materials be mailed?
No. Note that there are certain documents that have to be uploaded and submitted with the online application. You will be unable to submit your application without these. Make sure you have these available ahead of the deadline, especially confirmation from your fiscal sponsor, if you are using one (see support materials section of the application).
Musical Materials Questions
Is there a preference for the type of work samples submitted by dance companies?
Yes. Work samples should be recent (within the last 5 years) and represent the company’s highest quality work. The panel prefers to review dance company samples that include music, since LMD supports music-related projects. Promotional DVDs with short clips will not be accepted or reviewed.
Should I send links for both video and audio samples?
No. Send links for video samples but submit audio samples via e-mail to lmd@amc.net. If the files are large, use a service such as YouSendIt. Do not send CDs.
Is it OK if the dance company’s work sample is from a class, rehearsal or studio workshop?
No. The dance company work sample must be from a fully-produced performance.
Is it OK to submit work samples after the deadline?
No. The application will be marked as incomplete and will not be accepted or reviewed.
If the musicians for the project do not usually work together as an ensemble, what materials should be submitted?
Submit an audio sample for each musician.
Do we have to submit scores if we are applying for composer commission fees?
No. If you have a score, send it along as a PDF or mail it in if it's not in a format that can be e-mailed. Submitting a score is no longer a requirement.