Application FAQs
Please be sure to review the FAQs below before beginning your application.
About the festival
When is the next New York Kathak Festival?
The festival will take place in 2025. The exact date is not yet confirmed, however we will be sure to give accepted applicants plenty of notice of the date.
Is there a theme for the 2025 festival? What are you looking for?
Similar to years past—we do not have a theme framing the 2025 festival. We encourage applicants to visit our YouTube channel to see clips from prior events to see what types of performances were presented. (While you’re there, make sure to subscribe!) Generally speaking, we look for strong examples of kathak—regardless of gharana or style, we look for dynamic performers that show their mastery over kathak. That being said, applicants are not expected to have robust performance experience.
How do you curate the festival?
The New York Kathak Festival is an inclusive platform for kathak artists globally. This application process is an open one—anyone can apply. We review each application carefully and make curatorial decisions from there, with the goal of providing a diverse kathak experience for our audience. We curate kathak performances that are inclusive of all types of performances + performers: soloists, groups, recorded pieces, live music, established dancers, emerging talents, all gharanas, and multiple perspectives.
What do you mean by an inclusive platform for kathak? Does that mean that everyone can perform at the festival?
Our curatorial priority is presenting kathak. For us, an inclusive platform for kathak is one that creates space for artists of all gharanas, styles, tenures, stories, genders, body types, ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, and perspectives. However, all submissions that focus on presenting pure kathak will be given priority over those that don’t.
Who produces the New York Kathak Festival? Why are you doing this? Do you personally benefit from the festival?
The New York Kathak Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and flagship event produced by a group of committed volunteers. We all have a connection to kathak and are driven by our desire to give back. We do not personally benefit from the NYKF, and all funds we raise go directly towards producing the festival.
If the New York Kathak Festival team is made up of kathak dancers, you probably dance in the festival yourselves, right? How do you ensure fairness in the application process?
Despite having talented dancers on our team, we take a step back during festival weekend, and strictly focus on organizing the event. To ensure fairness in the application process, our team members do not dance in the festival.
Video guidelines
Is there a time limit for submissions?
Yes. Performance slots will be limited to a maximum of 10-15 minutes each.
I don’t have a video of the piece I’d like to present at the New York Kathak Festival. Can I submit another one?
No. In order for the NYKF team to effectively curate the festival, we request that you submit a video of the piece you wish to perform. We do not accept general reels or excerpts. Applications submitted without a video of the piece will not be considered. Videos do not need to be professionally shot, or from a previous performance—we will accept studio/rehearsal videos, provided they are full length and representative of the work. We encourage applicants not to submit highly produced/edited videos.
Note that your video is the most important part of your application. If you are submitting a video that exceeds the performance slot available, please share time stamps to review.
Can I submit a promotional video or reel?
No, we will not accept a promotional video or reel as your performance video.
How should I submit a video?
Due to the number of submissions we receive, we kindly request that all videos be submitted as a link to YouTube. Videos may be unlisted or public. (Please be sure that your YouTube video is not set to private) Once you submit your application, we request that you do not move or edit the video until you hear of a decision from the NYKF team, to ensure that the video is visible throughout the review process. Note that we do not accept video submissions as attachments, links to Facebook, Vimeo, Google Drive, DropBox, or any other service.
Who can apply
Do I have to be a choreographer to submit an application?
No, however you must indicate the original choreographer in your application. By applying, we assume that you have the right to submit the work, including appropriate permissions for music.
Is there an age requirement to participate in the New York Kathak Festival?
Yes. Dancers must be over the age of 21 if applying as soloists or leading a group. If you have any dancers under 21 in your group, please be sure to note this within your application. The festival doesn’t present children under 18.
I sent an email introducing myself and my work. Does that count as my application?
No. The only applications considered are the ones submitted through the form during the application period (Jan 31). In general, we do not accept any applications via email.
I’m an established artist. Why do I have to apply?
The New York Kathak Festival is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by the next generation of the American kathak community. We seek to create an experience that we want for ourselves. We know that often talented young dancers don’t get opportunities if they don’t have connections. By creating an open application process whereby anyone can apply, we are, respectfully, creating space for both established and emerging talents to share their work with New York City.
I know someone on the team. Do I have to apply?
Yes. We do not offer extra consideration or prioritize submissions from personal connections.
I applied last year, can I apply again?
Yes.
I performed at the New York Kathak Festival in previous years, can I apply again?
Yes.
Can I submit an incomplete application now, and complete it later?
No. Once you submit an application, it cannot be updated. Please ensure that all required information is completed at the time of submission.
I want to submit multiple pieces/choreographies for consideration. Can I do that?
Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. Your application should lead with the piece you wish to present at the NYKF. If you are flexible about what you present, please indicate that in the description form of the application.
Can I submit applications as a soloist and a group?
We recommend that you submit your application with the piece that you most wish to present, and generally suggest against submitting multiple applications.
Honorariums and expenses
Do performers get paid?
Yes. Artists are paid a honorarium for presenting their work at the festival. The humble honorarium amount is not a reflection of what we think kathak is worth, rather they are in line with our current status as a small, self-funded, volunteer-run nonprofit. We strive to be an organization that will be able to more substantively cover expenses and offer more robust artist fees in the future. At the moment, we provide honorariums as per guidance within the Wage for Work Fee Calculator.
I’m applying from outside the U.S. Will you cover my visa and travel expenses?
At this moment, NYKF is not able to cover visa and travel expenses. By applying, we assume that you are able to/are in the process of arranging your own visa and travel.
Timing and notification
When is the deadline?
The due date for applications is January 31, 2025 at 11:59PM eastern standard time. Applications submitted after that date will not be considered.
I just heard about the application, and it’s close to the deadline. Can I get an extension?
Unfortunately, to be fair to all applicants, we cannot provide an extension to the deadline. If you can’t complete the application in time for the 2025 festival, we suggest you follow us on social media so you can hear about the next performance opportunity earlier.
When can I expect to hear back from the New York Kathak Festival?
You can expect to hear from us in February 2025.
How should I expect to be notified?
We will inform all applicants via the email address provided in the application. Please make sure emails sent from “@nykathakfestival.com” are marked as “not spam” within your email client. Be sure to apply using an email address that you have access to and want us to use to communicate with you.
I still have questions.
If you still have questions that have not been answered above, please email us at team@nykathakfestival.com.