2025 Call For Applications: FUSED – French U.S. Exchange in Dance 

TOURING GRANTS

This grant supports tours, series, or presentations of large-scale productions of French productions in the U.S. and presentations of U.S. productions at major international festivals in France.

• A tour must include at least two different U.S. venues that are financially involved.
• A series consists of a minimum of seven consecutive performances in the same venue OR of multiple works by the same choreographer that form a thematic focus.
• A large-scale production involves a minimum of 10 performers on stage and can be considered even if presented by only one presenter.

CREATIVE GRANTS

This grant supports the development of French-American productions in contemporary dance including:

• Dance productions featuring France-based choreographers collaborating with U.S.-based dance companies.
• Dance productions involving the collaboration between a France-based company and a U.S.-based choreographer.
• Dance residencies involving an artist from France and from the U.S.

Please note that French or France-based artists seeking an exploratory/research residency in the United States are encouraged to apply to the 2026 Villa Albertine residency program. 

These grants are intended for presenting organizations. Applications from dance companies will be considered only in exceptional cases. 

FOR BOTH GRANTS  

Applicants must demonstrate a clear artistic and financial commitment towards the project. 

Only nonprofit organizations are eligible. Individual artists are not eligible to apply.   

• U.S. applicants must demonstrate their 501(c)(3) status granted by the IRS. 
• French organizations must provide proof of nonprofit status. 

Projects must involve active collaboration between artists and organizations from both countries: 

• American applicants must present a project that involves France-based artists or a performance that is co-produced by a major French cultural institution. 
• French applicants must present a project that involves a U.S.-based choreographer (for touring grants) or a collaboration between U.S.- and  France- based artists (including a light designer, a sound engineer, or a dramaturge) (for creative grants). 

Projects must take place between May 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2026.  

ARTISTIC CRITERIA  

• The focus is on contemporary and innovative projects.  
• Priority will be given to projects that involve artists whose work has rarely been seen in the partner country. 
• Projects should involve artists whose work reflects the diversity of the French and/or U.S. contemporary artistic scene. 

FOR TOURING GRANTS

• Priority will be given to projects presented sequentially at a minimum of two distinct venues within the United States (applicants must provide letters of commitment). 
• For a series or large-scale productions, the application can be considered for a single venue. 

Creative and Touring Grants support up to 50% of project costs, covering expenses such as housing, per diem, travel, visa fees, and equipment rentals related to the production, with the following limits:  

• $20,000 maximum for Creative Grants  
• $15,000 maximum for Touring Grants  
• Grants cannot cover operating and front-of-the-house expenses of the presenting organization. 
• Grants cannot support publications, the production or presentation of dance films, or teaching residences. 
• The budget must include artist fees.  

The application platform opens on December 11, 2024, and closes on January 31, 2025, at 11:59PM EST.  

The application consists of narrative questions and supplemental materials, including artistic project details, a detailed budget, proof of nonprofit status, outreach activities, communication plan, and additional documents, such as letters of engagement from presenting partners and related project texts. 

February 2025: Applications will be screened for eligibility by Villa Albertine staff.

March 2025: Eligible projects are evaluated by a peer artistic committee comprised of French and American performing arts professionals.

End of April 2025: Results will be announced. 

APPLY HERE

What is FUSED? 

• FUSED is a program of Villa Albertine in partnership with Albertine Foundation that provides grants to nonprofit organizations supporting contemporary dance projects between France and the United States. 

What are the deadlines? 

• The application platform opens on December 11, 2024, and closes on January 31, 2025, at 11:59PM EST. Projects must take place between May 1st, 2025, and August 31, 2026. 

Can you present my performance? 

• Our organizations are not presenters nor do we have performance spaces. However, we facilitate and initiate connections between French and American professionals. 

I want to present a production for a young audience. Is my project eligible? 

• Yes, as long as it meets the program’s criteria above. The FUSED program does not differentiate projects based on a target audience. 

Will you organize my U.S. tour? 

• No, Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation do not organize U.S. tours. However, if a U.S. presenter is interested in your performance, our program officer can help them connect with potential partners. 

I am a U.S. presenter interested in a French production. Can you provide information about performances available for touring? 

• Yes, please contact the program officer who will be happy to assist you in navigating the French creative landscape.  

I am the producer of a French dance production, can I apply? 

• Except in specific cases (to be discussed with the program officer prior to applying), companies are ineligible. The program is intended for performance venues, festivals, and institutions that invite artists. 

I am a France-based artist with a creative project that requires research in the U.S. Can I apply for a FUSED grant? 

• No, FUSED is not designed for research projects. However, we encourage you to explore our Villa Albertine residency program here and apply if it aligns with your project. 

I am a U.S.–based choreographer, and a major French festival wants to present my work. Should I apply? 

• Congratulations! While you cannot apply directly, the French festival may be eligible. Encourage them to reach out to us for guidance. 

We are a U.S. dance company inviting a French choreographer for a new creation. Can we apply? 

• Yes, you may apply for a Creative Grant. 

We are a group of American venues presenting a France-based artist. Which one of us should apply? 

• While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the venue managing visas, travel, and set transportation is typically the main applicant. Alternatively, multiple partners can apply, provided each clearly outlines their financial contributions in the “shared costs” table. 

I am a French choreographer working with American dance students. Can I apply to FUSED? 

• FUSED does not support teaching– or student-focused creative projects. However, collaborations between French and U.S. choreographers may be eligible, depending on the project and lead organization. 

If awarded a grant, can you help with visa applications for the artists involved? 

• No, visa applications must be processed through the appropriate U.S. agencies. While Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation cannot handle the applications directly, we can recommend attorneys who specialize in artist visas.  

I want to present multiple works by the same artist but don’t have other U.S. venues as partners. Can I apply? 

• Yes, you can apply. If your venue focuses on presenting multiple works by the same French artist within a specific timeframe, the project is eligible for a touring grant. 

Can I apply if additional partners join after the deadline? 

• Yes, as long as you meet the requirements when applying. Additional partners can join at a later stage. 

Where can I find examples of past FUSED-funded projects? 

• You can view a list of past grantees here. 

Why doesn’t FUSED support theater or circus disciplines? 

• Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation have a separate program for contemporary theater, puppetry, circus, and street theater. Learn more about THEATER & NEW FORMS here.

Why are the calculations on the provided budget worksheet not functioning?   

• Only numbers should be entered in the cells highlighted in red. If any words, symbols, or other characters are included in these cells, the calculations will not work. Only the cells highlighted in blue can contain text. 

Can I apply for multiple projects taking place between May 2025 and August 2026? 

• Yes, please submit a separate application for each project. 

Do project artists need to be French or American citizens? 

• No, but the main artists must be clearly affiliated with the French or American artistic scene. 

I have a question not answered here. What should I do? 

• Contact the Program Officer at: louise.dodet@villa-albertine.org 
• Please allow at least seven business days for a response. We also encourage you to check these FAQs regularly, as they will be updated based on the questions we receive.