ABOUT ELBOW ROOM

Born from a desire to carve out more space and freedom for the creative process, Elbow Room is a six-week artist-in-residence opportunity for Columbus-based dance artists happening May 3rd, 2024 through June 14th, 2025.

The selected artist will develop an original work of 20 minutes or longer for performance at Columbus Dance Theatre (CDT) with an artist fee of $2000, six weeks of studio space (6 hours per week), and a $1,500 stipend for the associated costs of making a dance work such as dancer/collaborator fees, costumes, props, or music licensing. Artists will also receive full production support by way of professional lighting, sound, and videography, as well as access to a CDA Team Member to offer peer mentorship in the creative process.

Our Residency artist will have additional opportunities to share their creative process with the community via a series of movement “labs” hosted by the Columbus Community Dance Class series.

All applications will be pre-screened by the Elbow Room Team using a rubric that scores on project plan, artistry, community engagement and alignment with CDA’s mission, vision and values.

Take a look at our 2024 Fall Residency Artist, Liz Bustle.

Residency Period:

May 3rd- June 14th, 2025

SPRING THEME IS B.Y.O.I.: Bring Your Own Idea

CDA feels it's more important than ever to create opportunities for movement artists to be able to make work that feels true, honest and valuable without feeling like they need to adjust or compromise their vision to make their ideas fit a particular set of rules. B.Y.O.I (Bring Your Own Idea) is our attempt to create a container for our artist to experiment, play, reflect, and dig deep in a time when we need more art, less restriction.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Applications open: March 1st, 2025

  • Submission deadline: March 31st, 2025

  • Virtual public info session: March 20th, 2025

    • Via Google Meet link 7:00-8:00PM

    • You can now view a PDF version of the presentation HERE

  • Residency artist notified: April 13th, 2025

  • Spring 2025 residency begins: May 3rd, 2025

  • Community Movement Labs at Columbus Dance Theatre: all Lab event 3:00-4:30 PM EDT

    • May 4th, 2025

    • May 25th, 2025

    • June 1st, 2025

  • Residency Performance at Columbus Dance Theatre: June 14th, 2025 at 7:00 PM EDT

 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicants must reside in the Columbus area (Franklin or bordering Counties) for the duration of their residency plus 6 months

  • Applicants must have at least four (4) years of professional experience as a dance artist

  • Applicants must not be in a degree-seeking program or receiving funding from a university, college, or institution

  • Dance artists of any genre and/or style are encouraged to apply

  • Artists interested in applying as collaborative teams should submit one (1) application with one (1) artist as the team leader who will receive the residency award. Artists will be able to submit supplemental information about their collaborator(s), such as CVs, bios, etc, in the application.

Selected artists will be individual dance artists who demonstrates a history of artistic excellence through a strong body of work, continuing education, OR a clear commitment to their form (demonstrated by at least four (4) years of professional experience). They will be someone who shows interest in furthering their artistry and choreographic voice and who is excited about engaging with the community through the creative process as this is part of CDA’s mission and values as a community organization.

Artists will be asked to clearly communicate plans for their production stipend and to reflect on their ability to succeed within a proposed timeline for their creative process. The panel is aware that plans often shift in the creative process but will choose an artist that demonstrates clarity, creativity, and confidence in their vision.

THE FINE PRINT

Rehearsal

Open rehearsal slots for the duration of the six weeks will be as follows (these are times you can choose from to make up your total six hours per week, you do not have to be available for all of them):

Please note that if you are not able to commit to six hours of rehearsal time per week within the available schedule provided for this residency you will not be eligible to participate.

  • MAY 3rd- May 31st

    At Inspiration to Movement:

    1. Mondays- Fridays 9:00 AM-7:00 PM

    2. Saturdays 10:00AM-1:00 PM

  • JUNE 1st- JUNE 13th

    At Columbus Dance Theatre:

    • June 1st-7th

      Available 9:00 AM-9:00 PM every day

    • June 8th-13th

      Available evenings after 6:00PM

 
 

Community Movement Labs

There are three (3) MANDATORY Community Movement Labs: all Lab event 3:00-4:30 PM EDT

  • Sunday, May 4

  • Sunday, May 25

  • Sunday, June 1st

 
 

Performance

You MUST be available Saturday, June 14, beginning at 2:00 PM

 
 

Review Process

The selection process for the Elbow Room residency artist is completed by a review panel of Columbus based dance artists who exhibit a deep connection to the dance community and hold successful careers within their field or practice.

All applications will be pre screened by the Elbow Room Team using a rubric that scores on project plan, artistry, community engagement and alignment with CDA’s mission, vision and values.

This years panelists :

  • Gamal Brown

  • Sarah Hixon

  • Dr. Hannah Kosstrin

  • Lorii Wallace

  • Abby Zibikowski

The panel will evaluate the artists’ applications across seven (6) categories with a total of (50) possible points. Adjudicated categories include:

  1. Creativity & Originality

  2. Project plan

  3. Budget

  4. Connection to community

  5. Artistic excellence

  6. Artistic potential