The Dancer Fund will provide direct support to freelance dance artists who have received payment from choreographers and/or organizations for their project-based, performance-related work taking place July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Dance Source Houston will match up to $500 per individual in payment(s) for performance project artist fees. Dancers may apply more than once to receive the $500 maximum award. A separate application must be submitted for each project. A maximum of $30,000 will be awarded to freelance dancers through the Dancer Fund. Awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the submission period will close when the funds have been depleted.
The Dancer Fund is made possible through generous support from Houston Endowment.
Eligibility
Applicants are eligible to apply if they:
- Are 18 or older.
- Live and work in the Greater Houston region, as defined by Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.
- Can provide a fully-executed contract that shows:
The contractor was:
- Contracted specifically as a dancer for project-based performance work
- Classified as an independent contractor, not a W2 employee
The performance work:
- Takes place between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
- Takes place in the Greater Houston region, as defined above
- Is open to the general public
- Can provide a completed Form W9
- Can provide accepted proof of payment for contracted work*
- Have not already received the individual maximum of $500 through the current Dancer Fund cycle.
*Acceptable forms of proof of payment include check images and Paypal/Venmo/Cash app/etc. transaction receipts that indicate payer, payee, and what the payment was for. Payments received in cash are not eligible.
Application Process
Fill out the application below and attach all required supplemental materials, including signed contract(s), proof of payment(s), and a completed W9. If you need a contract template, you can download one here.
Applications will be processed monthly. Notification will be sent by the 15th of each month to all applicants who submitted in the previous month.
Have Questions?
Please send all questions to danceinfo@dancesourcehouston.org with “Dancer Fund Question” in the subject line to ensure your email is prioritized. Do not direct questions to individual staff member email addresses.