Choreography and Research Fellowship Guidelines and Application

2023-2024 Application Cycle NOW OPEN

Please consider applying for either the choreographer or researcher positions below.

To apply, please send a word document attached to an email to The Board of Directors at contact@aseemkala.org with the following:

Short bio and background with dance (performances, choreographies, websites, social media handles, etc.) and/or research accomplishments (i.e., publications, research experience, lab work, etc.). We are looking for self-starters who can independently complete tasks and have previous experience with choreography or research. (300 word maximum)
Your personal vision of how traditional arts and medicine combine? Why do you believe this fellowship is important to you? (300 word maximum)
Your 2 proposed dance choreographies for the year on healthcare stories of your choice (choreography fellows) or your 2 proposed research projects (research fellows).
Your CV
Your headshot and few performance photos with appropriate photo credits ( please save each photo as “Credit_year”). If you are a research fellow applicant, 1-2 headshots would suffice.
If you are applying to the choreography fellowship, please send a video example of any previous dance work you have done (Youtube link preferred).

Choreography Fellowship Requirements

Requirements:

Choreograph a minimum of 1-2 pieces by the end of the appointment.
Attend once-a-month online meetings with monthly video submissions of work progress
Must set up recording space and videographer and record in traditional attire. Videos must be sent to contact@aseemkala.org one month before the end of the appointment. Aseemkala will fund up to $100 dollars in costs.
Write an article about the process of choreography for publication. Aseemkala will assist with publication
Must interview patients or physicians or people associated with the cause to create socially aware, just choreography and must present your final work for that audience if they desire, i.e. work with a refugee NGO if choreographing a piece in displacement, etc. Benefits:

Will submit your work for multiple festivals over your year. All costs associated with attending the festival are your own.
Will support poster or oral presentations of your work
Will share your work on our sites
Will include you in planning ideas for the year

Requirements:

Use interviews and qualitative studies to collect stories and beliefs about a community’s understanding of health behaviors
Communities should be indigenous or marginalized communities who face social stigma
Must submit IRB approvals to own institution before starting. Aseemkala will help with this.
Must follow ethical principles at all times and must fill out all photo and information consent releases. Aseemkala will provide these.
Must show final research back to the people you interviewed and report their feedback
Topics can include: Peripartum/Postpartum Care (traditional beliefs, customs, foods, ceremonies, songs, wisdom, personal stories)
- Childbirth
- Menstrual cycles and Womanhood (how do they see this?)
- Pregnancy
- Food and medicine
- Traditional medicines associated with childbirth and postpartum care
- Environmental health and how their cultures understand the relationship between women and environments
- Violence in their communities
- Understanding displacement
Must submit a minimum of one article by the end of the year for blog or journal publication

Benefits:

Will support in publication and training in research methods
Will support in editing your work
Will support in submitting your work to conferences for oral and poster presentations and publication, with you as first author
Will support up to 100 dollar in costs