FY26 Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant
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FY26 Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant Guidelines
General Information The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is a private, nonprofit 501c3 organization established to enrich and serve our community by fostering the arts, artists, and arts organizations. HCAC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose members are elected to two terms.
Mark Ryder was an established dancer, choreographer and leader in the dance community. He danced alongside Martha Graham in the 1940s until founding the Dance Drama Duo, later called the Dance Drama Company, with Emily Frankel. Mr. Ryder went on to teach dance in the 1960s at Goddard College in Vermont before becoming chairman of the dance department for two years at University of Maryland, College Park in 1974, and retired from teaching in 1988. After moving to Howard County in 1975, Mr. Ryder also became very involved in choreographing local productions in his community. He passed away in July 2006 and is survived by his wife and family who wish to honor his legacy by offering an annual competitive grant award in the minimum amount of $500 to choreographers through the Howard County Arts Council. Mr. Ryder believed individual expression is the most important part of the creative process for both choreographer and dancer and that more is learned through being a part of the process and actively participating in it than by simply being taught the movements or viewing the final product.
HCAC Responsibilities
· Develop procedures for submission and funding of proposals.
· Review and evaluate proposals for grants funds.
· Select recipients and grant awards.
The Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant will honor his vision/philosophy. HCAC staff is available to provide technical assistance in completing grant applications. Call 410-313-2787.
Purpose of the Grants Program • The Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant Program was established, at the bequest of his family, to recognize individual creative expression and to provide financial assistance to choreographers to create a new original work. Re-interpretation of an existing work is NOT considered an original work. • To broaden opportunities for artists and encourage and sustain their pursuit of artistic excellence. • If the project is realized, the applicant is encouraged, not required, to present the work in Howard County, live or recorded.
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