Dance Program Equity Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Francisco Gella Dance Works
Overview
The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund, administered by Francisco Gella Dance Works, provides financial support to dancers pursuing intensives and workshops. It honors Joan Myers Brown, founder of PHILADANCO and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, and reflects a commitment to expanding access to quality training. Awards are offered as full and partial tuition scholarships to eligible applicants to help level the playing field for motivated students who lack financial means.
Description: The program offers merit- and need-based scholarships for dance intensives and workshops to identify talent and provide opportunities for students from varied backgrounds.
- Named for Joan Myers Brown to honor her legacy in dance education and advocacy.
- Administered by Francisco Gella Dance Works for intensives and workshops.
- Supports students who demonstrate potential but face financial barriers.
History
Joan Myers Brown founded the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) in 1970 and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts in 1960, building a lifelong legacy in dance education and community leadership. She also established the International Association of Blacks in Dance and served as its honorary chairperson. The scholarship fund was renamed in her honor in December 2021 during her ninetieth birthday celebration; Francisco Gella, whose company administers the fund, danced with PHILADANCO under her leadership.
History of the Award: The renaming recognizes Joan Myers Brown’s seven decades of contributions to dance and seeks to extend her commitment to opportunity through financial support for students.
- Joan Myers Brown’s leadership and institutions inspired the scholarship’s mission.
- Renamed in December 2021 to commemorate her ninetieth birthday.
- Connection to Francisco Gella underscores continuity between institutions and artists.
Eligibility
Scholarship decisions are based on a combined evaluation of documented financial need and the applicant’s demonstrated potential to succeed as a future professional dancer. The program includes both the Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund (open to applicants of all backgrounds) and the Joan Myers Brown Emergence Scholarships (reserved for Black or Brown dancers). Applicants must meet technical training and age criteria to be considered.
Eligibility: Specific eligibility includes age ranges, training level, and, for the Emergence Scholarships, race and citizenship requirements.
- Emergence Scholarships: two full scholarships awarded annually to Black or Brown U.S. citizens ages 12–22.
- General age requirement for applicants: 7–22 years old at time of application (note the Emergence range above).
- Applicants must be intermediate or advanced: at least two years of consistent technical training and a minimum of three hours of ballet per week.
Award Value
Awards are offered as full and partial tuition scholarships for Francisco Gella Dance Works intensives and workshops. The fund is designed to reduce financial barriers that prevent eligible students from accessing training and educational programs. Exact award amounts and the number of partial scholarships awarded may vary by season and program.
Award Value: Scholarships cover full or partial tuition for specified intensives and workshops to support access to training opportunities.
- Provides full and partial tuition scholarships rather than cash grants.
- Intended for intensives and workshops administered by Francisco Gella Dance Works.
- Award distribution depends on demonstrated need and potential.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit a recent technique video and a personal essay addressing the applicant’s relationship to dance and goals for the scholarship. A ballet class video showing barre or across-the-floor work is preferred and should present the student in proper, form-fitting attire with the camera focused on the dancer. As an alternative, a solo may be submitted, but the video must be no more than six months old to accurately reflect current ability.
Video Submission: Preferred: ballet barre or across-the-floor class footage focused on the student; alternative: a technical solo. Videos should be recent (within six months).
Personal Essay: The student must submit an essay; parents may assist younger applicants. The essay should address how dance has enriched the student’s life, what they hope to learn if awarded the scholarship, and what they will contribute to other students’ experiences.
- Technique video is prioritized to evaluate training and execution.
- Solo submissions accepted but are secondary to class footage.
- Essay must reflect the student’s voice and answer three specified questions about dance, learning goals, and contribution to peers.
Financial and Support Documentation
Applicants must provide a letter of financial need detailing the circumstances that require scholarship support and explaining why scholarship funds are necessary to attend. The documentation should be factual and may include a reference who can verify the stated financial circumstances. A separate letter of support from a current teacher or director is also required to attest to the student’s ability, aptitude, classroom performance, potential, and motivation.
Letter of Financial Need: Describe financial circumstances, include supporting facts, and provide references if available to substantiate need.
Letter of Support: A teacher or director should provide a recommendation detailing the student’s current ability level, aptitude for learning, classroom performance, potential for success, and motivation.
- Financial need letter must explain why scholarship support is required to attend.
- Supporting references are recommended when available.
- Teacher/director recommendation must provide specific details of the student’s training and potential.