Resources for applicants
This page offers some useful resources an applicant may need to prepare, complete, and submit an application for the McKnight Artist Fellowships for Dancers and Choreographers. We hope that applicants will use this as a single reference to find details, application instructions, application material examples and external resources. However, more detail and context can be found on the How to Apply and FAQ pages.
Quick links:
Upcoming Webinars and how to sign up: Wed. Jan 28th at 12 noon, and Thursday, Feb 5th at 7pm CST.
Email us here to rsvp and receive a Zoom link that day.
Work samples: formatting, labeling, examples, upload instructions, step-by-step video instructions
Resumé examples for Dancers or Choreographers
Artist statements for Dancers or Choreographers
Basic McKnight Fellowship program information in Spanish, Hmong, or Somali
Basic McKnight Fellowship program information in English as a voice recording
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Dancers or Choreographers
How to apply (general step-by-step)
Read this full consolidated resource page and the official program guidelines for individual program.
Confirm eligibility on How to Apply page
Watch step-by-step application video for individual program (at bottom of How to Apply page)
Prepare written materials (short bio, resumé, artist statement) in a word processing program
Gather video work samples and create one continuously running video
Prepare work sample description information in a word processing program
Upload all required documents and media in accepted formats and save.
Review the application for completeness, then submit.
Save the confirmation email and PDF of your submitted application.
While not an exhaustive list, here are a few websites dancers may find useful:
For more information about the McKnight Foundation, visit their website.
Creative Capital’s website offers some helpful tips on preparing an artists’s statement/narrative.
Minnesota Regional Arts Councils (RACs) offers several grants that may be of interest to dancers and choreographers around Minnesota, including the Next Step Fund, funded by the McKnight Foundation, which provides project grants up to $5,000 to professional artists in any discipline for the purpose of career development and artistic achievement.
Minnesota State Arts Board offers grants to Minnesota artists.
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) is a grantmaker, program initiator, aggregator of resources, and builder of creative partnerships among artists, arts organizations and funders.
National Performance Network(NPN) supports national touring and the creation of new work for select artists. This fund will end after 2026.
Jerome Foundation and Jerome Fellowshipssupport Minnesota or New York City-based choreographers early in their careers. They support artists creating bold, innovative and risk-taking new work that challenges conventional artistic forms.
Blue Fox Arts has offered a new grant in 2026 to emerging Twin Cities artists of any discipline.
www.mnartists.org has information about Midwestern artists, opportunities and topics of interest to artists.
Art of the Rural offers programs and connections for rural art makers in Minnesota and beyond.
Springboard for the Arts is based in St. Paul, Minnesota, and offers various services for artists and non-profit arts organizations. They offer workshops about writing artist statements and resumes, work sample creation, and other topics. They have computers on-site that artists can use to apply to this program and others. Their artist consultant roster provides one free hour of assistant and can be very useful for a grant application.
Miracle Arts has a listing of resources, including venues/rehearsal spaces.
Dance/USA is a national service organization for professional dance artists.
Free Video Editing Software options