Emerging dance choreographers brimming with original concepts now have the opportunity to take their ideas to the stage and win cash prizes in a new national competition, SPROUTS: New Works Platform for Budding Choreographers. Unlike dance competitions centred on techniques and performance qualities, this inaugural platform co-presented by the National Arts Council (NAC) and Frontier Danceland celebrates originality and creativity of choreographic concepts. The competition is now open for submissions, and will culminate in a final showcase on 3 October 2009.
Says Elaine Ng, NAC’s Director for Performing Arts Development, “SPROUTS is the first competition of its kind in Singapore, designed for emerging dance choreographers to showcase their talents and kickstart their professional careers. It further enables individuals with strong concepts to bring their ideas to fruition by providing resources to stage these works. To this end, we are pleased to partner Frontier Danceland, an advocate of homegrown contemporary dance choreography, and inspire more new creations that will enrich Singapore’s dance content and Singapore audience’s arts experience.”
A maximum of 16 works will be shortlisted to be performed to a live audience on 19 August at Frontier Danceland’s studio. The final showcase of up to 8 works will be held on 3 October in Victoria Theatre.
Three prizes will be awarded at the final showcase. A panel of judges comprising esteemed members of the dance community will select the Most Promising Work. The winning choreographer will receive a $2,000 cash prize and an opportunity to present a new work at the final showcase of the next edition in 2010. Judges will also choose the Best Dancer, who will be awarded a $500 cash prize. The competition will take an interactive turn as well, as audiences will get to vote for Most Popular Work. All finalists will receive a $500 cash prize each.
The competition welcomes all dance genres and styles, and is open to all Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents. Applicants are limited to 2 entries each, and must not have presented these works on a public platform before. Results of the shortlisted entries will be announced on 31 July 2009.
Please refer to the annex for competition details. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.nac.gov.sg or www.dansing.org.sg. Applications close 23 July 2009, 5pm.