FUSED: French U.S. Exchange in Dance

Overview

Today, more than ever, Villa Albertine, the French Embassy and FACE Foundation are proud to encourage, promote and support artistic performances and creations.  

Since 2017, FUSED has expanded to include projects by artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, performing in the United States, as long as their work is co-produced by French cultural organizations. In this age of global mobility, the goal is to support artists with varied backgrounds and influences, in order to promote a multiplicity of voices and foster a rich intercultural dialogue.

FUSED continue to support artistic projects by French or France-based artists performing in the United States as well as American artists in France. Each project is intended to reach a wide audience and to engage communities as well as act as a launching pad for the featured artists.

In 2023, Villa Albertine, the new French institution for arts and ideas in the United States organizes a Dance Season  bringing together all U.S. partners interested in the project.

To know more about the projects selected in 2022, click here.

Sponsors & Partners

FUSED receives funding from: Ford Foundation, Institut français, French Ministry of Culture, & private donors.

Grants Criteria

FUSED has adjusted its criteria for its 2023 applications call by encouraging the production and the presentation of dance projects taking place between May 2023 and December 2023.

Note: French or France-based artists looking for an exploratory residency in the United States are invited to apply to the Villa Albertine residency program here.

Eligibility & Guidelines

• Only non-profit organizations are eligible. American organizations must demonstrate their 501(c)(3) status granted by the IRS. French organizations must provide proof of equivalent nonprofit status for eligibility;

• No grants are awarded to individual artists;

• Companies may submit applications to FUSED only if they have identified one or several presenting partners who have indicated in writing their willingness to participate in the collaboration or tour, as well as their financial commitment to the project;

• Projects involving artists whose work has rarely been seen in the partner country;

• American organizations must present a project that involves French or France-based artists, or a project by artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East as long as their work is co-produced by French cultural organizations;

• French organizations must present a project that involves at least one American dance artist or U.S. based artist;

• The organization (presenting partner, university…) must show a clear financial and artistic commitment towards the project;

• FUSED does not cover the operating and front of the house expenses of the presenting organization.

• FUSED grants support up to 50% of the expenses related to the artistic project such as artists’ fees, housing, per-diem, travel, visa expenses, equipment rentals related to the production, but the grant cannot exceed the amount $20,000;

Note: Prior to the deadline, applicant organizations should contact FUSED representative to ensure the eligibility of the project.

Calendar & Application

THE 2023 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IS CLOSED.

FUSED Background

Created in 2004, FUSED: French U.S. Exchange in Dance continues its mission to foster dialogue, strengthen professional relationships, and spark creative artistry through cultural exchanges by supporting projects by choreographers and performers whose works had never or rarely been seen in the partner country.

From 2004 to 2017, FUSED was managed by a successful partnership between NEFA’s National Dance Project, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, and FACE Foundation thanks to the generous contributions from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Florence Gould Foundation, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the French Ministry of Culture, and private donors.

It introduced choreographic and performance artists whose works had never or rarely been seen in the partner country. These efforts allowed artists funded by the program to achieve international recognition as a result of their time spent in either America or France. It built numerous partnerships between French and American presenters enabling innovative collaborations and cultural exchange. These were also instrumental in reaching new audiences in both countries.

Through its annual application call and since its creation, FUSED has distributed more than $2 million to 200 projects that reflect the cultural and artistic diversity of the French and American contemporary scenes.

Contact

Nicole Birmann Bloom
Program Officer, Performing Arts
nicole.birmann-bloom@villa-albertine.org