Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants 2024

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is offering Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants, a program designed to provide one-time financial assistance of up to $3,000 to professional dancers experiencing dire financial emergencies. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support artists in need, particularly when unforeseen circumstances compromise their ability to sustain themselves. The grants are a critical intervention, ensuring that dancers can address immediate financial crises and continue their artistic careers. The primary target beneficiaries are professional dancers aged 21 or older who reside in the United States, its territories, or Tribal Nations, and have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or lower for individuals (or $150,000 for joint filers). Crucially, applicants must demonstrate a history of at least five years (since 2018) as a paid, live dance performer across various styles. The program's impact goal is to alleviate urgent financial hardship among this specific artistic community, preventing potential career disruptions and promoting the stability of dancers who contribute significantly to the cultural landscape. The program prioritizes and focuses on emergencies stemming from the loss or lack of recent/current live performance work due to circumstances beyond the dancer's control, such as canceled performances or contract cutbacks. Eligible expenses are broad and include essentials like rental housing, utilities, food, medical/dental/mental healthcare, and transportation. Notably, the program has expanded to cover expenses vital for maintaining a dancer's abilities, such as class fees, dance gear, physical therapy, and even rehearsal/studio space rental for teaching or choreographing, reflecting a holistic understanding of a dancer's professional needs. Expected outcomes include immediate relief from financial distress for professional dancers, enabling them to cover critical living and professional expenses. Measurable results would be the number of dancers served, the total amount of grants distributed, and the types of emergencies addressed. NYFA's strategic priority with this program is to act as a crucial safety net, employing a theory of change where timely financial intervention empowers dancers to overcome temporary setbacks, maintain their artistic practice, and ultimately contribute to a more resilient and vibrant dance community.