imprint: a QTBIPOC dance writing fellowship

imprint is an annual dance writing fellowship program designed for US-based QTBIPOC dance writers. Artistic Director Bhumi B Patel will support three emerging dance writers through writing and publishing mentorship and professional development as a dance writer. Through this program, participating writers will be compensated $500 for 40 hours of work/study over the course of a year. During their fellowship with pateldanceworks, participating writers will attend 12 monthly cohort meetings, which will include readings, discussions, co-writing sessions, writing feedback sessions, and guest speakers. Fellows will also attend at least five performances and receive mentorship to write reviews/reflections on each performance attended. Over the course of the program year, fellows are expected to publish at minimum three of their completed writings published on the PDW blog. The application for the 2026–27 cohort opens June 1, 2026 and is due June 30, 2026. The program year will run from September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2027.

Requirements

Eligibility:

• For emerging dance writers, who are not experienced or already established, and who identify as BIPOC and/or queer.
• Must be based in the United States during the fellowship year.
• Not intended for full-time students given the time requirements.

Basic logistics:

• Program year: September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2027
• Application opens Monday, June 1, 2026 and is due Tuesday, June 30, 2026 by 11:59pm PST
• Three emerging dance writers will be selected
• Note: given the time requirements, this fellowship program is not intended for full-time students
• $500 stipend for each fellow to be received at end of program pending three published writings, attendance at all meetings, and at five performances

imprint is looking for people who are interested in learning the craft of dance writing to grow the field of dance writers. This program requires dedicated time over the course of a year to monthly meetings, learning, attending performances, and the editing process.
While they know that unexpected things may arise and schedules may shift, they ask that to the best of your ability, you commit to a year of monthly meetings and to engagement in the writing process.

Requirements:

• 40 hours of work/study a year, which includes 12 hour-and-a-half monthly cohort meetings over the course of the year.
• Fellows must commit to attending all cohort meetings, and may not miss more than one cohort meeting (the meeting time will be recurring and set at the start of the cohort year in September 2026)
• See five performances over the year
• Produce at least three written dance reviews/reflections for publication on the PDW blog

Application Instructions

Applications open June 1 and are due by Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59pm PST

Program description: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CfLOMVLMkK482fH5ct9_qNbon7L03XHa/view

Application: https://forms.gle/BbN9jhCBVCzdXow19

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to pateldanceworks@gmail.com.