The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund is based on the belief that when given an opportunity to learn and do what they love, every student with motivation can succeed. Therefore every student deserves at least one chance to try. But we are fully aware that not every student has the financial means or support to participate in training and educational dance programs that will give them access to the information they need in pursuit of their goals. To level the playing field of opportunity and identify talent, Francisco Gella Dance Works offers financial support through full and partial tuition scholarships to eligible applicants of all backgrounds for its intensives and workshops.

Too often, only students already attending intensives and conventions, and who can afford to be ‘seen’ and recognized are the ones to benefit from the very opportunities that propel dancers into the best schools, colleges, and jobs. Those who can afford to attend dance training programs are frequently the ones who benefit the most. The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund is our organization’s effort to decrease the likelihood that inherent bias will keep any talented and hard-working student from accessing resources to achieve what is possible for themselves.

To achieve our organizational goals of access to opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and experiences, the scholarship program is an inclusive and open process. This allows our faculty and staff to identify students who may otherwise be overlooked. Applications are evaluated equally on both merit (achievement and potential for success) and demonstrated financial need.

• All applicants must be between the age of 7 and 22 years old at the time of application. Keep in mind that the eligibility requirement for the Emergence Scholarship is 12-22.
• All applicants must be an intermediate or advanced dancer. This means that a dancer has had at least two years of consistent technical training and takes a minimum of three hours of ballet per week.
• For the Equity Scholarship Fund, dancers may apply from any ethnic or racial background. Emergence Scholarships are designated for Black or Brown dancers.