Performer Application period is MAY 1-31, 2026

• Applicant must be 18 years of age or older. If applying as a group, the applicant must be the designated group director/leader. Members of a group may be under 18, provided the group leader is 18 or older and takes full responsibility for the entire group.

• Open to dance/movement groups and individual artists of all styles and forms (hip hop, k-pop, jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, traditional cultural dance, martial arts, etc). Our goal is to feature a diversity of dance and movement art.

• Cultural dance/movement groups may also include a beginner friendly 30 minute class after their performance to be taught from the stage. AADF2026 will choose and accept a maximum of 3 class offerings.

• Group must either be led by a person who identifies as AAPI or have significant ties to an AAPI community. All performers in the group do not need to identify as AAPI.

• Performance time is limited to 8 minutes max, which may be broken up into shorter dance pieces if desired.

• Dance/movement pieces must be family friendly and appropriate for audiences of all ages (no nudity or profanity).

• In your application, please be ready to share a video of your proposed piece or something representative of your proposed piece if not yet complete. You will also need to provide a description of the piece.

• No fee to participate.

• Support and promote the festival and the community of artists involved, including sharing of social media posts, marketing materials, fundraising campaigns, etc.

• Provide information when requested regarding your piece, including but not limited to - names of performers, group bio, group photos, props, music, etc.

• If the performer is a group, the group director (the applicant) will be the main point of contact with AADF, TILTshift Dance, their staff, agents, and volunteers. It is the responsibility of the group director to disseminate information and ensure that all members of the group adhere to all policies and guidelines. The group director takes responsibility for the actions of all group members.

• Accepted artists will be required to sign a Performer Hold Harmless Agreement and Media Release Form.

• Basic sound system to play recorded music and microphone for teaching from stage.
• No lighting cues allowed.
• 20 minute tech rehearsal time slots during the week of the showcase (to be scheduled).
• Changing room - availability to be scheduled and limited to just before and after performance.
• $50 teaching stipend for cultural dance/movement artists chosen to teach a class after their performance.

If you know of an AAPI dance/movement artist or group, please forward this information to them. We welcome dance/movement artists of all genres, representing the diversity of the AAPI diaspora!

It truly takes a village to bring projects like AADF to life...let's support and celebrate our fellow artists!