Unlock your creative journey with the Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship (CACF), an empowering award providing professional choreographers and artists with a stipend (up to £15,000) to forge new pathways, develop innovative tools, and cultivate systems that transform them into dance creators and innovators.

Diverse artists from all backgrounds are welcome to apply for the 2025 CACF, where candidates will be selected through an inclusive and transparent three-round peer-review process, ensuring equal consideration for all eligible applications.

At CACF, we champion unrepresented artists, aiming to benefit as many talented choreographers as possible. We firmly believe that by fostering interconnected communities of artists, we can generate significant impact and drive substantial, system-wide change through the power of dance.

About the Program:

The groundbreaking Carlos Acosta’s international fellowship, launched in 2023 with lead support from Acosta Dance Foundation, Acosta Advanced Training Hub and Acosta Danza, brings together one emerging artist/choreographer who serves as the creator of a new piece. As a program dedicated to ballet choreographic development, the Fellowship reinforces the core mission of creating a dancer in every home by prioritizing the generation of new works by fresh voices.

Artists from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Candidates for the 2025 CACF will be identified through an open application process. All eligible applications receive equal consideration through a three-round peer-review process (pre-screen, panel review and panel interview). Peer reviewers will be selected by Carlos Acosta and will aim to represent the diverse pool of identities, geographies and dance disciplines reflected in the applicant pool.

Details:

• A Fellowship fee is allocated for the R&D/creation of a piece.
• Mentorship opportunities.
• Round-trip transportation to London (only for international applicants and those outside London), along with per diem and accommodations (T&C apply).
• Full logistic support, including studio space and time provided by the Acosta Dance Centre.
• Monthly allowance.
• Accommodation and travel expenses (T&C apply).
• Possibilities of working in the studios in Havana-Cuba.
• Bursary available for a choreographic project of the fellow’s choice (in coordination with the Acosta Advanced Training Hub, Acosta Danza and/or the Acosta Dance Academy).
• Tailored development program encompassing training, peer learning, and collaborative opportunities with Acosta Danza and the Acosta Dance Centre.
• An array of networking opportunities.
• Opportunity to incorporate the fellow’s project into the Acosta Danza repertoire.

Eligibility: To qualify for the CACF, choreographers must meet the following criteria:

• Availability for up to four-week R&D and creation period during 2025.
• Legally authorized to travel to the United Kingdom for the entire fellowship duration.
• Completion of their first commission on a professional dance company, university, or pre-professional school within the past five years.
• The minimum age requirement is 18 years.

Before starting the application process for the Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship, please ensure that you have the following information and materials ready:

1-Audition video with a work sample.

-The footage should be of clear viewing quality.

This is not a digital competition, so please save your time and avoid media-enhanced, highly edited, or promotional-type videos.

-Accepted file types for upload: MP4, M4V, AVI, FLV, MOV, WMV, MPG, MPEG, M2V, MKV, and WEBM.

-The video should include a verbal self-introduction within a maximum of 2 minutes, where you introduce yourself and share the following:

•What interests you about choreography.

•Your choreographic strengths and areas for improvement.

•How do you envision the CACF’s impact on your choreographic work?

•Choreographic projects you envision for yourself in the near future.

•Artists or works that interest you in dance and another art form.

-Work Sample information:

-This should be the piece that you feel best represents you currently.

-Share the complete work without any excerpts.

-Provide the title, credits, and details of when and where it was performed.

-The footage can be from a studio, performance, site-specific location, Zoom, or any other venue.

-This work should be no more than three years old.

-The duration should not exceed 10 minutes.

2-Written Statement:

We know you’re full of fantastic ideas, so we’re excited to hear your ideas for the Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship CACF. But don’t worry; we won’t ask you for a boring, super-detailed proposal just yet. We want you to unleash your imagination and give us a glimpse of your choreographic brilliance.

-In 250 words or less, share with us your wildest, most out-of-the-box idea for your choreographic inquiry during the Fellowship. We encourage you to focus on the essence of your idea rather than the nitty-gritty details like music, costumes, and all that jazz (pun intended!).To get you started, finish this statement: “I’m ready to shake up the dance world like never before! As a choreographer, I’ve always dreamed of exploring…”

Remember, we’re looking for that spark of creativity that sets you apart, so let your imagination run wild and have a blast with it! And don’t worry; we promise not to judge you if your idea involves dancing penguins or a flash mob in outer space. We’re here to celebrate your unique vision and ensure your choreographic dreams come true! Also, remember this is not an English grammar test.

3-Headshot.

4-Résumé/C.V.

5-Support Material (OPTIONAL)

-Selected samples of programs, reviews, and/or articles about your work, all compiled into a single PDF document.