OFF THE
/ LANE

Enhanced Photo: Original Photo Martha Swope ©NYPL

Requirements

Scholarship Mission and Purpose

The Ann Reinking Scholarship will be awarded annually to a young dancer moving to NYC to help support them in their artistic endeavors. Our mission is to help set a young artist up for success by providing monetary support, mentorship, accountability check-ins and a community, home base and network of people in the industry to help lay the foundation and framework for this budding artist. 

Over the course of the (1) Year Term as the Ann Reinking Scholarship Winner, they will have access to a variety of tools and resources including:

  • Pairing with a Mentor for curated sessions for their first (3) months in the city
  • Industry connections, as curated by the Ann Reinking Advisory Board
  • Access to Off The Lane’s Community Wiki with trusted resources and Partnership Discounts
  • Off The Lane’s Quarterly Speaker Series Events
  • Off The Lane’s Community Networking Events
  • Off The Lane Internship Opportunity for Resume Building

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

  • Past Ann Reinking Scholarship winners are not eligible to reapply.
  • Applicants must be between the ages of 18-22 at the time of applying.
  • Applicants must display exceptional proficiency in technique, artistry, craft.
  • Applicants must show readiness to advance their Dance and/or Musical Theater career while being based in NYC.
  • Applicants must show proof of financial need and fiscal responsibility to be in NYC for the scholarship term.
  • Applicants must show proof of U.S. citizenship, or permanent resident (green card holder).

*This is a taxable grant and the winner will need to claim the funding as taxable income. The payments will take place in two phases. (1) Upon arrival in NYC and (2) After 3 months in NYC. Recipients will receive a 1099 form from Off The Lane.

*Attendance at the Empower Artists Fundraiser on November 8th, 2021 (Live or Virtual)

Two Tier Application Requirements

Tier 1 Application:

  • Name
  • Preferred Pronoun(s)
  • Permanent Address
  • Email
  • Phone/Mobile
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident status Yes [ ] No [ ]
  • Date of Birth
  • Name of High School, college or university most recently attended and/or graduated from
  • Video Requirement: Essay Prompt. One-minute response to “Describe your career goal(s) and why being located in NYC, as our Ann Reinking Scholarship winner, is important to you”
  • Video Requirement: (2) contrasting dance pieces for a maximum of 4-minutes in total. Please edit to (1) file or link.
  • Headshot
  • Resume
  • (1) Letter of Recommendation
  • Confirm Financial Need: Yearly earned income and other sources of income or support
  • Consent to have personal information stored

Tier 2 Application: 

  • Financial Need Documentation
  • Completed Budget Template
  • Video Requirement: Essay Prompt TBD by A&A Committee 
  • Video Requirement: (2) contrasting dance pieces for a maximum total of 6-minutes in total. Please edit to (1) file or link.
  • Zoom Interview with A&A Committee and/or OTL Staff
  • Signed statement agreeing to attend (2) OTL career workshops, regularly scheduled mentoring “check-ins,” and an “Exit Interview” with OTL staff.

Guidelines for Application Requirements

Video Essay Requirements

  • These responses should be recorded and uploaded as an MP4, Vimeo link with no password or YouTube as an Unlisted Video.
  • The application will ask for the specific URL starting with https://
  • These responses should be about (1) minute in length.
  • This prompt will change yearly and will allow our Adjudicators to get to know you and your goals better. 
  • We value individuality and know that every person’s story is different and we look forward to getting to know you better!

Dance Piece Video Requirements

  • These responses should be recorded and uploaded as an MP4, Vimeo link with no password or YouTube as an Unlisted Video.
  • The contrasting dance pieces should be edited to 1 file or link.
  • The videos should not be highly edited or a promotional reel.
  • The application will ask for the specific URL starting with https://
  • Please follow the time length requirements for each Tier of the Application.
  • These dances may be choreographed or self-choreographed and should showcase dance proficiency.
  • These dances may be filmed in performance or in a studio.
  • Solo work is preferred.
  • If the video has more than one dancer, it should be clear which one is you. Please notate this in the Description of the Video. (eg. I am the one wearing the blue leotard. I am the dancer furthest stage right at the beginning of the video.)

Letter of Recommendation

  • This should be saved as a PDF file.
  • Suggested to be from a Dance Teacher, Family Friend, Teacher, or Employer.
  • Note: Advisory Board Members, Adjudicators or Family members may NOT write a letter of recommendation for you.

Financial Need

  • You will be asked to provide the first page of your most recent tax return.
  • Please remove your SSN.
  • You will be asked to provide your last two bank statements.
  • This information will only be shared with the internal team at OTL.

Budget Template

  • Part of the readiness to move to NYC is understanding the costs associated with living here.
  • A template will be provided with percentage suggestions for use of the scholarship money.
  • You will be tasked to plot out how you’d spend this money.
  • A review of the actual usage will be a part of your exit interview at the end of your year term with the Scholarship Program.

Zoom Interview

  • A Zoom Interview for each Tier 2 Finalist will be held with a few members of the A&A Committee and/or OTL Staff. Present members could include the A&A Chair, Committee Members, Adjudicators, or Off The Lane’s President or Program Director.
  • This interview will be another chance for Adjudicators to ask questions about your goals and trajectory.

Other FAQ’s

Contact: annreinkingscholarship@offthelane.org

I missed the Application deadline. Is it too late to apply? Yes, but please mark your calendar for 2022!

I turned 23 in April of 2021. Can I still apply? No, unfortunately this year our applications are only open to 18-22 year olds.

I currently live in NYC. Am I eligible to apply? For this inaugural year, following in line with Ann Reinking’s own story, we are looking for someone who does NOT currently live in NYC at the time of their application. If you are planning to move in the coming months, then yes, you can still apply! In future years, we may open up these qualifications to be for those already living in the city.

I applied but don’t think I want to move to NYC. Am I still eligible? No, please send an email to annreinkingscholarship@offthelane.org to follow up with any questions regarding your application.

I am currently living overseas and don’t have a permanent US address, but I’m eligible to live and work in the US. Can I still apply?Yes, please contact us at annreinkingscholarship@offthelane.org.

Can you currently be enrolled in a university/college to apply for the Ann Reinking Scholarship? Yes, but you should be ready to pursue your career and move to NYC within a few months of being awarded the Ann Reinking Scholarship. The scholarship is a (1) year commitment starting the date of the announcement. In order to make the most of this time, you should be ready to launch your career.