Germinate: Space Grants for Artists - Malashock Dance - San Diego's Premier Modern Dance Company and School

Germinate – Space Residency Opportunity

Germinate invests in the San Diego creative economy by offering space grants to local choreographers. Germinate provides rehearsal space and a supportive environment for artists to deeply engage with their work and creative process. The development of this space grant program is in direct response to the need for uninterrupted time and space to experiment and innovate that has been articulated by our peers in multiple Town Hall gatherings Malashock Dance has held over the past several years.

Germinate is part of Malashock Dance’s mission to foster a hub where artists come together to create new work.

Malashock Dance will grant up to three space grants to choreographers/ companies/ collectives based in the San Diego region. In alignment with our values of passion, excellence, equity, and inclusivity, Malashock Dance is committed to uplifting artistic voices that reflect our diverse San Diego community.

When and Where

Awardees will receive up to 40 hours of rehearsal time in the Malashock Dance Studios between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday, within the two week grant period.

Space Grant Period #1: Nov 30 – Dec 4 and Dec 7-11, 2026
optional showing 2-3:30pm on Dec 12, 2026
Space Grant Period #2: Mar 1-5 and Mar, 2027
optional showing 2-3:30pm on March 13, 2027
Space Grant Period #3: April 26-30 and May 3-7, 2027
optional showing 2-3:30pm on May 8, 2027

Scope of Work and Terms

Germinate Space Grant Awardees will be given up to 40 hours of rehearsal time in the Malashock Dance Studios between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday, within the two week grant period.
Germinate Space Grant Awardees will receive a $500 honoraria.
While there is no pressure for a product to be created during the residency, Space Grant Awardees will be offered the opportunity to have a one hour informal (no tech) studio showing open to the public. Should an Awardee choose to have an informal showing, Malashock Dance will provide front of house and marketing support for this event.
Space Grant Awardees will receive a Professional Development consultation session with Malashock Dance leadership.
Space Grant Awardees will be able to attend the Greenhouse Professional Development series for free.
Space Grant Awardees are responsible for leaving the rehearsal space empty and clean at the end of each rehearsal. Limited storage space is available to keep props or small scenic elements on site during the residency
As Germinate is for local San Diego choreographers, travel and accommodations are not provided.

Eligibility

Germinate is intended to support the work of choreographers/companies/collectives of varied perspectives and all experience levels.
Choreographers must be able to provide proof to legally work in the United States.
Choreographers must be residents of the greater San Diego area.
Previous Germinate residents are welcome to apply, though priority will be given to new awardees.

For your application you will need to submit the following:

CV and/or Resumé
A brief description (approximately 150-250 words) of how you would utilize the space grant. Are you developing a new work? Are you researching a particular theme or developing a new movement vocabulary? Why is this a meaningful opportunity at this time in your career? Applicants do not have to have a specific production in mind, but should demonstrate in this description how this opportunity will support their work as a dance artist.
A brief statement (approximately 150-250 words) about your artistic philosophy and process. This might include describing what inspires your work, recurring themes in your body of work, who you make work for, and/or what your creative process entails.
Two work samples of your choreography that represent your aesthetic and artistic interests.

Please provide information about the work samples including title, date created, and where it was performed.
Work samples from 2022 to the present are preferred.
No more than five minutes of any work sample will be viewed and evaluated.

Timeline

Applications open: August 31, 2026
Applications due: Oct 2, 2026
Applications reviewed and responses sent by: Oct 14, 2026

Decision-making Process

Evaluation of all proposals will be conducted by Malashock Dance Leadership, based on a matrix that includes the following criteria:

ARTIST SELECTION CRITERIA

Evaluation of proposals will be conducted by Malashock Dance Leadership, based on a matrix that includes the following criteria:

Individual Applicant Criteria

Work samples demonstrate experience creating choreographic work.
Work samples demonstrate complexity, depth, and a clear and distinctive choreographic point of view.
The artist statement clearly articulates the applicant’s artistic perspective and approach as a dance maker.

Cohort Composition Criteria

The cohort represents a range of racial, ethnic, gender, and generational perspectives, as well as varied career stages and lived experiences.
The cohort provides equitable access to the Award for choreographers who have historically had less access to financial support, production resources, or in-kind opportunities to develop and present their work.

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