Dance Individual Project Funding Expert Panel comments

September 2, 2025 Submissions
General Expert Panel comments

Comments made by the panel during its assessment of applications submitted to the September 2, 2025 deadline are outlined below. Please note these comments provide a summary of the panel's assessment and do not necessarily relate to every application submitted to this deadline. The panel does not provide individual comments.

Project Description

  • The panel found it helpful when a project description began with a clear and concise opening summary of the project, e.g. "I am applying for funds for five months to research and create the first stage of a new work (name of work) or for ten months of training at (name of program and school)."
  • The panel appreciated a clear understanding of why the project is so important to the applicant's development and artistic vision and how the project would impact them as an artist.
  • It was helpful when training applicants provide a well-articulated rationale for the choice of study program with a clear explanation of how program, workshop or mentorship is critical at this stage of their development leading towards stated artistic goals.

    • Personal connection to “your why?” and “passion”.

    • Project proposal should not be a cut and paste from the training place’s brochure, it should be written by the applicant.

    • Training applicants should have a proof of acceptance. 

  • Art production and/or creation-based projects should have a concise description and timeline.

  • A well-written and concise grant proposal allows the panel to gain a full understanding of the nature of the project, the purpose and expected benefits and identifiable impact on the applicant. Applicants should include the following:

    • Details about the applicant, their dance background and present future goals; 

    • Project description that includes a plan of execution the applicant commits to pursue towards fulfilling their stated goals; 

    • What is the overarching artist’s “vision” in the project;

    • Expected outcomes from the project. 

  • The panel encourages applicants to make use of writing tip sheet material available on the AFA web site. Applicants are encouraged to have an objective third party proofread application content to ensure that it is concise and accurate.

Budget

  • The panel noted that it was important that project budgets are as accurate and realistic as possible.
  • Scope of project should be accurately reflected in the expense and revenue details to allow the panel to understand how the project will be executed.  
  • The panel looked favourably on projects where artists and major collaborators were properly remunerated, both in the context of industry standards, as well as the context of the project as a whole.
  • Creation and production projects are encouraged to follow artist fees established by the professional community, i.e., CADA, and/or an explanation on how fees are calculated.
  • It is highly recommended to make use of the budget notes box to provide the panel a clear understanding of project expense and revenue line items. How expenses or revenues are calculated.
  • The panel appreciated clarification and details in terms of substantiating subsistence costs that coincided with the amount of time per week dedicated to the project. A breakdown of accommodation locally or internationally, food and other basic living costs was additionally helpful.
  • Panelists saw value in knowing what venue the performers will be performing in.

Support material

  • Video support material needs to highlight the applicant's artistic strengths and potential.
    • Preferable if all support videos were combined as one file of no more than 4 minutes long in total.
    • If you are the performer or the choreographer, this needs to be identifiable.
  • Applicant should indicate if the submission is video material of their own work, that of a collaborator, the name of the piece, year of creation and if they are dancing in the video.
  • The video should be specific to what the applicant is applying for.
  • Choice of video support material should allow for a comprehensive assessment of an applicant’s creative, artistic and technical ability and should have a connection to the proposed activity or genre.
  • Most types of projects are greatly strengthened with the inclusion of current reference letters that provide greater insight into the project’s impact and value to either the applicant and/or the applicant’s community. These reference letters should NOT be connected to the project in any way.
  • Participant must include bios or artist resumes of themselves as well as any collaborator; maximum 2 pages.