McKnight Fellowships for Dancers Grant

McKnight Fellowships for Dancers Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Cowles Center
Amount: US $25,000
Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Summary

The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers offer three annual fellowships of $25,000 each to Minnesota dancers, supporting their artistic growth and exploration. These unrestricted awards allow recipients to dedicate time to study, experimentation, and new projects. Designed for established artists with at least eight years of committed dance work, the program recognizes and nurtures talent that contributes to Minnesota's cultural fabric. Additional benefits include career development support and an exclusive retreat opportunity.

Overview

McKnight Fellowships for Dancers The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers annually award three fellowships of $25,000 each to Minnesota dancers. The awards are unrestricted and can help an artist set aside periods of time for study, reflection, experimentation, and exploration; take advantage of an opportunity, or work on a new project. The intent of the McKnight Artist and Culture Bearers Fellowship is to recognize and support Minnesota artists and culture bearers who are beyond early practice, have sustained experience in their discipline, and demonstrate exceptional accomplishments. In addition to the cash award, fellows receive additional support for career development, are invited to attend a four-day retreat in rural Minnesota, and are eligible to have an original solo work commissioned for an evening titled SOLO. Support for individual artists has been a focus of the McKnight Foundation's Arts and Culture program since its inception. The foundation recognizes that the arts cannot flourish or enhance community life without the ideas, energy, and drive of individual artists & culture bearers and that artists cannot make these contributions without unfettered creative time. Fellowship awards are made in 15 disciplines through 13 arts organizations and presenters. Criteria Fellowships provide recognition and financial support for Minnesota dancers beyond the early practicing stage of their careers. The program is designed to award dancers who have sustained experience in their discipline and demonstrate exceptional accomplishment. Applicants are asked to demonstrate a substantial body of work over a period of time. The intent of this program is to recognize and support dance artists living and working in Minnesota (or in a Native Nation that shares this geography) who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment and commitment. Artists should be part of and contributing to the creative, cultural and community fabric of Minnesota. Resumé and application materials should indicate a history of sus­tained and committed dance work over a period of at least eight years, demonstrated through public performances and creative work. Accomplishments must be outside of accredited degree programs, i.e. student performances will not count towards the minimum eight-year period of committed dance work.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Artists who are eligible for these fellowships: Have or maintain Minnesota residency (or in a Native Nation that shares this geography) for at least one year prior to application and for the duration of the fellowship year. Proof of residency is required. Are beyond the emerging stage of their career, with a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment and commitment.A minimum of 8 years of committed dance work is required.  Can only apply to one McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship program in any artistic discipline within a year.Have not been a recipient of a McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship within any artistic discipline in the last five yearsDemonstrate growth and ongoing artistry since their most recent McKnight Artist Fellowship. Are not staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or The Cowles Center. Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program. Applicants must have a social security number or other federal tax number to be awarded.