Tapestries Choreographic Program

About the Tapestries Program

Tapestries is a multi-tiered program designed to nurture dance choreographers and creators as they strive to become professionals in the field. The goal of the program is to change the profile of who receives and is recognized for national choreographic opportunities with a special emphasis on women* and artists of color. Tapestries consists of 3 tiered programs designed to nurture the nationally renown choreographers of tomorrow.

  • Tapestries Emerging Choreographer Program 

  • Tapestries Patterns Program

  • Tapestries Young Creators

*Threads Dance Project recognizes the diversity and complexity of womanhood. If you identify with womanhood or gender-expansive ideas of it, you are welcome to apply. This includes trans and gender-expansive individuals.

Tapestries Emerging Choreographers Program

The Tapestries Emerging Choreographer Program provides a much-needed avenue for underrepresented women* and artists of color to take center stage in the world of professional choreography. Threads Dance Project commissions 3 emerging choreographers selected by an expert panel of dance/community leaders to create new works for the company’s spring season under the guidance of Artistic/Executive Director Karen L. Charles and additional feedback from their peer choreographers. The program is organized so emerging choreographers experience a professional commissioning process. The time frame, technical support, and ability to work with professional dancers, designers, and mentors provides a unique professional choreographing experience. This immersive program prepares participants for future success in the field.

Questions? Email: Karen Christ Aalgaard, kchrist@threadsdance.org

Video Link: What is Tapestries Emerging Choreographer Program?

To Apply: Click Application Process below

*Threads Dance Project recognizes the diversity and complexity of womanhood. If you identify with womanhood or gender-expansive ideas of it, you are welcome to apply. This includes trans and gender-expansive individuals.

    • Dates of Residency: January 2025 –May 2025 – 3-week residency per choreographer plus feedback and peer review session

    • Rehearsals: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 9a-12:30p at the Threads Dance Nexus in Minneapolis

    • Performances Dates: May 2-4, 2025, The Southern Theater

    • $1,600 choreography commission fee to create a new work of up to 15 minutes in length.

    • Minimum of 2 public performances of finished work

    • Costume, Lighting Design, and Music Rights expenses covered. Additional technical support (i.e., music editing, heavy lighting needs, video design, projection, scenic design, hazer/fogger) is at the choreographer’s expense.

    • An Introductory meeting will be scheduled with the choreographers in early December.

    • Choreographers who live outside the Twin Cities must provide their own accommodations and transportation for full participation in the program

    • Have 2-10 years of generative experience (outside of college programs), Be at least 21 years of age

    • Have not had an established company for more than 3 years OR have not had work professionally presented more than 4 times

    • Are a legal resident of MN or the 5 legal boroughs of NY

    • Be available for the entire duration of your residency and tech week (January-May 5, 2025)

    • Have not been a Tapestries choreographer within the last 3 years.

    • Choreography proposal is an original new work and is not a previously created work, remount, revival, or new interpretation of pre-existing material.

    • Attend casting audition for choreographers which will be scheduled in December 2024 or January 2025

    • Attend 3 Mandatory peer review sessions

  • All materials must be submitted through this Google Form:

    • Resume/CV (2 Page Limit): 1-2 Page Resume/CV should include past choreographic works, awards and recognitions, and education. Acceptable file types: pdf, doc, docx. Bios are unacceptable.

    • Choreographer Information and Proposal for Work

    • Work Samples: Link to 2 – 4 work samples, uploaded to Vimeo or another platform. Full length works are preferred over edited excerpts. One work sample must be of a full-length, completed work. All samples must be video of the applicant’s own choreography. Work Samples should be no more than 20 minutes.