2025 Making Moves Dance Festival
RFP
 

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is pleased to open its application portal for the 16th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival (MMDF2025).

MMDF2025 will present commissions by and performances from up to nine choreographers. MMDF2025 runs at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue) from Friday to Sunday, September 19 to 21, 2025. All choreographers, dance artists, and companies working in any genre—including, but not limited to, modern, contemporary, African, ballet, ballroom, folk, hip hop, jazz, and social-dance influence (e.g., vogue, house, waacking)—are encouraged to apply; bold ideas are especially welcome. Early submission is encouraged; the submission deadline is Friday, May 16, 2025, 6 pm.

MMDF2025 offers opportunities for choreographers and dance companies as follows:

· Major Commission: Two professional choreographers will receive a $3000 commission to create a new, 30-minute work to be presented at JPAC. Artists will be selected through an in-person audition/interview after a video submission. Commissioned choreographers will receive up to 80 hours of free rehearsal space at JCAL (space permitting). Commissioned choreographers will provide dancers, costumes, props, etc., out of commissioned funds (no solos or duets).

· Emerging Artists: Up to three professional emerging choreographers will receive a $1250 stipend to present a 15-minute piece at JPAC. Applicants must provide a record of accomplishment of public performances, commit time to the choreographic process, and highlight their creative concepts in their submissions.

· Early-Career Artists: Up to four early-career professional choreographers and/or groups will receive a $750 stipend to present a 10-minute piece at JPAC; pre-existing work is preferred. Applicants must provide a record of accomplishment of public performances, commit time to the choreographic process, and highlight their creative concepts in their submissions.

MMDF2025 applicants will be selected by a jury of cultural leaders representing the diversity of NYC’s dance community; the jury will be chaired by JCAL Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench.

Applicants will be selected based on the strength of submitted work samples, clarity of choreographic vision, ability to communicate their commitment to purpose, aesthetics, and technique, an artist statement, evidence of training pertinent to the work, and a documented track record of artistic activity in NYC. Calls of inquiry regarding the status of an application will not be returned.

MMDF2025 applicants may be considered for multiple opportunities but can only be awarded in one category. Selected artists may request up to six hours of rehearsal space at JCAL/JPAC the week before MMDF2025, plus one dress and one tech rehearsal directly on the JPAC stage.

MMDF2025 applicants must be at least 18 years old, residents of NYC as of the application deadline, and have previously presented work in a public setting. Queens residents receive preference for all opportunities.

• Scoring will be based on technique, intent, storytelling, and presentation.
• A minimum of 3 minutes of straight video footage per work sample is required. Work samples should be no more than 3 years old. No reels or trailers, no edits, or cuts.
• If you send a long work sample, please timestamp length for viewing, 3 minutes max (your best 3 minutes).
• Maximum 3 work samples.
• Submit work samples as online links (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive) in a PDF. If samples are password protected and a password is not given, the application will be disqualified.
• Cover letter, resume, contact information, and work proposal are required.

Application deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025, 6 pm.

Selected artists announced: Monday, June 2, 2025.

For questions about the application, please contact Program Associate David Smith, Dsmith@jcal.org.

MMDF 2025 is supported by the Mellon Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, and Harkness Foundation for Dance, with additional support from New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and general operating support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

About JCAL

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit www.JCAL.org.

Title: Beyond Familiar

Curator: Wanda Best

Starting: Friday, July 25, 2025

Ending: Saturday, September 13, 2025 

Application Opens: on Friday, March 28, 2025, 6pm

Application Closes: on Monday, April 28, 2025, 6pm

Artists notified: by Friday, May 9, 2025

Growth can involve an increase in width, length, or height, as well as a process of maturation or development. This exhibit seeks artwork that interprets "growth" in a creative and lively manner that reaches outside your comfort level. The interpretation can be personal, observational, or represent a natural progression of change. 

We invite submissions of visual representations of the pop art movement or similar styles. Pop Art is characterized by its use of imagery from popular culture, such as advertising and everyday objects, often employing bold colors and simple forms. This art genre has challenged traditional artistic norms, frequently incorporating references to mass culture and political satire. The goal is to see your unique perspective on growth. Go beyond your familiar boundaries.

Please note that this call is for visual arts only. Performance art will not be accepted.

Contact:

Director of Program Operations- Wendy A. Berot- wberot@jcal.org. 

Key of Life

Submissions Open: September 24, 2024

Submissions Close: October 23, 2024

Selected Artists Notified by: November 8, 2024

Exhibition Dates: January 17, 2025 – February 28, 2025

There is a certain rhythm that many of us feel; a groove that makes life worthwhile. What elements in the world add value and purpose to help you move? This exhibit will demonstrate the various artistic expressions of "keys" in one's life. What is your Key of Life?

For our annual JCAL Open Call exhibition, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning is seeking submissions of original artwork by Queens-based visual artists. All visual media is encouraged.  

Eligibility:

· Solo artists only; no collectives or collaborations will be considered;

· Artist is a current resident of Queens or one of the five boroughs of New York City;

· Artist has not exhibited at JCAL, either solo or in a group exhibition, since January 1, 2020;

· Artist is at least 13 years old.

· JCAL welcomes artists of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic and marital statuses. Those who identify as part of underrepresented communities are especially welcome and encouraged to apply. 

Application Requirements:

Only one application per artist will be accepted. A completed application must contain elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.

Artist Statement

- Tell us about yourself and how your work relates to the Open Call theme, Key of Life. (300 words max)

Works for Consideration

- Up to 5 original artworks, submitted as hi-res files;

- All label information: title, year, medium, dimensions, and price, submitted as a .PDF or Word document;

- Any special considerations or installation requirements, submitted as a .PDF or Word document. 

Artist CV (optional)

- Please include a CV, artist website, or link to any online platform showcasing your work.
 

This exhibition is open to all artists over the age of 13. Participating artists under 18 must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. All artists will be compensated with a stipend of $250 and will have the opportunity to sell their work over the course of the exhibition. 

Deadline to submit is October 23, 2024 at 11:59PM. Works submitted after this date will not be accepted. Applicants may submit new or pre-existing work. All submissions will be reviewed based on the quality and completeness of the accompanying application. You may be contacted with follow-up questions regarding the nature of the work and intended manner of exhibition. Artists are responsible for transporting and collecting all artwork to and from the institution. JCAL reserves the right to not exhibit artwork that does not meet display criteria or does not align with the institution’s mission.