CALL FOR ARTISTS: Dancing Kmɨtkinu
Seeking dance artists for Dancing Kmɨtkinu, a new collaboration between Mocean Dance and Nestuita’si Storytelling
DEADLINE: Friday, February 16, 2024, midnight AST
Mocean is seeking five dance artists to collaborate on Dancing Kmɨtkinu, a new creation project in collaboration with Nestuita’si Storytelling. The project aims to create a live, multi-sensory performance inspired by shalan joudry's literary poem Kmɨtkinu, from the Mi'kmaw word for “our homeland”.
Phase one of the project, planned for April 2-19, 2024, will be a 3-week, choreographic research session led by Sarah Prosper and shalan joudry, and will end with a work-in-progress showing at Pier 21. The intention is to continue creation in 2024-2025 and production in Fall 2025 (dates to be confirmed).
**NEW** For phase one of the project Mocean is piloting an Artist Care Fund supported by Balancing Act Canada’s Level UP! program. Intended to support greater equity and accessibility in performing arts practice, selected artists will be eligible to receive partial support for certain costs incurred during the project, including (but not limited to): travel and parking, childcare/eldercare, and physical/mental health support.
Read the full Call for Artists in the PDF attached below, to learn more about the project, or visit our Dancing Kmɨtkinu webpage.
CONTRACT DETAILS AND ELIGIBILITY
Contract Dates: April 2 - 19, 2024
- April 2-5: Four-day rehearsal period at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts (Canning, NS). Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm (with 1 hr break); 20 hrs total at $35/hr; accommodation, food, and travel covered.
- April 8-19: Two-week rehearsal period at Halifax Dance. Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm (with 1 hr break); 50 hrs total at $35/hr. Work-in-progress showing at Pier 21 (date TBC).
Project Eligibility:
Open to experienced dance and/or movement-based artists based in Mi'kma'ki. Limited support will be available for artists travelling from outside of Kjipuktuk/Halifax, however we cannot guarantee full coverage of travel expenses. To align with the intention of this work, including cross-cultural exchange, we are seeking both Indigenous and non-Indigenous dance artists to join the team, with a minimum of two Indigenous artists to join Sarah and shalan as performers.
As we work to support greater equity and accessibility in performing arts practice, we encourage artists from all backgrounds and intersection identities to apply. We also encourage artists to identify any accessibility supports that may be required to take part in this project.
Qualities we are seeking:
- Versatility as a performer with the ability to adapt to various movement styles, creative prompts, and physical expressions
- Enjoy working in an emergent creative environment, with input from multiple creative perspectives
- Strong dance or movement background
- Experience or comfort with spoken text and singing
- Flexible can-do attitude with a willingness to jump in where needed
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to hold challenging topics, particularly around the history of colonization in Mi’kma’ki
- A deep connection to Mi’kma’ki and a desire to explore and share their connection to Mi’kma’ki and their responsibility to this land and its Indigenous people.
PROJECT INFORMATION SESSIONS
In-person: Friday, February 9, 10:30-12:00 at Pier 21, Chiodo Room
Virtual: Saturday, February 10, 12:00-1:30 on Zoom
To share information about the project and to meet dance artists, we are hosting two information sessions. At these sessions, project leaders will share the inspiration for Dancing Kmɨtkinu, and invite participants to engage in guided movement exercises. Artists interested in being considered are strongly encouraged to attend one of the two sessions prior to sending their expression of interest.
Click here to register for a Project Information Session
Artists who attend our info sessions have the opportunity to access support for travel and parking expenses, childcare/eldercare expenses, and/or other expenses. Artists are invited to self-identify their needs on the registration form.
Amounts will be dispensed after the sessions via e-transfer. As funds are limited, we cannot guarantee support for the full amount requested, however we will ensure all who apply receive some level of support. If you have questions or concerns, or require an alternative payment method, please contact us directly at communications@moceandance.com
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the project, fill out our Expression of Interest Form including links to videos and a C.V. (max. 2 pages).
Alternatively, artists may submit a short video or audio file considering the questions/prompts in the Form (maximum 8 minutes). Please send video/audio files to susanne@moceandance.com
If you face barriers to completing the application or would like assistance, please reach out to Susanne Chui, Mocean’s Co-Artistic Director, or shalan joudry for assistance or for alternative application methods: susanne@moceandance.com, admin@nestuitasi.com
Selection Process:
Expressions of Interest will be reviewed and selected by project leaders, shalan joudry and Sarah Prosper, and Mocean’s Co-Artistic Directors, Susanne Chui and Sara Coffin.
DEADLINE: Friday, February 16, 2024, midnight AST
NOTIFICATION: by February 26, 2024. Everyone who applies will receive a response.
