BAM announces the establishment of its first fellowship to honor DanceAfrica founder and calls for applications

The Chuck Davis Emerging Choreographer Fellowship supports travel to Africa or its diaspora to study dance; inaugural recipient to be announced at this year’s DanceAfrica celebration, May 27—30

AM announces call for applications for the Chuck Davis Emerging Choreographer Fellowship, established with support of the SHS Foundation. The fellowship, which was first announced last year, honors Charles “Chuck” Davis’ contribution to DanceAfrica, the annual festival that he founded in 1977 and for which served as artistic director until 2015. The fellowship offers up to $9,000 for emerging choreographers to travel to Africa or its diaspora and study with experts in the field of African dance. The first recipient will be announced during this year’s DanceAfrica festival, taking place over Memorial Day weekend.

The Chuck Davis Emerging Choreographer Fellowship is the first that BAM has created. Joseph V. Mellilo, BAM executive producer, says: “Chuck has devoted his artistic life to promoting African dance, first through his own company, then DanceAfrica, which started at BAM and has since expanded to many cities. Countless people have come to enjoy African dance as a result of his enthusiasm and energy. The fellowship will be a lasting tribute to his invaluable contribution to this field.”

Davis, who remains artistic director emeritus of DanceAfrica, said, “I am heartened by the generosity of BAM and the SHS Foundation. This fellowship will provide an in-depth opportunity to young choreographers to learn African dance styles from where they originated and how they are still practiced. This will also afford a chance to foster vibrant cross-continental and cross-cultural conversations leading to deeper understanding of people and their relationship to each other. I strongly encourage all young choreographers to apply.”

US citizens or permanent residents with specialized training and interest in the field are encouraged to apply. The deadline of this year’s applications is March 18. Please go to www.BAM.org/Davis for details.