Southern's McKnight fellowships move to Springboard

The McKnight Foundation has announced that Springboard for the Arts will temporarily take over management of the dance and choreography fellowships previously administered by the Southern Theater. McKnight is generously providing new funds to replace second-half payments due to 2010 fellows. For the 2011-2012 round of fellowships, Springboard will contract Mary Ellen Childs to oversee the panel process, and will administer grant funds to recipients. The 2011 application deadline has passed; the program will select recipients this summer. McKnight annually awards three fellowships of $25,000 each to Minnesota dancers and three fellowships of $25,000 each to choreographers. "Springboard has a rich history of connecting artists with resources," said McKnight president Kate Wolford. "With these important fellowships in need of a home this year, we recognized our longtime grantee as uniquely positioned and well equipped to help. We are grateful that Springboard agreed to step in and lend a hand." Springboard's role is expected to be temporary. Springboard has taken a similar role before when they stepped in to oversee McKnight photography fellowships after Minnesota Center for Photography closed. Springboard also worked with the Jerome Foundation and the McKnight Foundation to offer funds and support for mediation between Southern Theater and its artistic community after the community response to dismissal of Jeff Bartlett. The Southern declined this offer.