FRESH MEAT PRODUCTIONS

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Grant Year

2023-24

Grant Program

Impact Projects

Award Amount

$21,250.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, Fresh Meat Productions (FMP) will organize and produce our 23rd annual FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL of transgender and queer performance June 15-17, 2024 (Z Space, SF).

Our FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL is a beloved community gathering with artists creating and performing new work at the intersections of trans, racial and disability justice.

CAC funds will support Artist Fees of the festival’s 18 performing artists and ensembles, and will also support our festival’s annual commissioning program, FRESH WORKS! — FMP will award FRESH WORKS! commissions of $7,500 each to 5 BIPOC transgender, gender-nonconforming and queer artists, to support the creation of new work. FMP will present the world premiere of these 5 commissioned works at the 2024 FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL.

Organization Summary

Fresh Meat Productions (FMP) will celebrate our 25th Anniversary Season during this CAC grant period!

Based on our commitment to trans/racial/disability justice, Fresh Meat Productions’ year-round programs and events are all either FREE or $0+ sliding-scale with no one turned away for lack of funds.

Our programs: support the creative expression, artistic advancement, professional development, and cultural leadership of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) and queer communities; empower and connect audiences; foster dialogue and learning; promote the evolution of transgender arts and culture; and build vibrant, resilient, connected communities.

Our programs include:

THE CREATION AND PERFORMANCE OF NEW WORK:
1) FRESH WORKS! Commissions: this program awards grants to support the creation of new work by trans, non-binary, Two-Spirit and queer Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) artists: we present these new works at our annual FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL.
2) Sean Dorsey Dance (SDD): Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season, our resident dance company SDD performs FMP’s founding Artistic Director (transgender/queer/disabled choreographer) Sean Dorsey’s trans/queer-centric dance-theater.
3) TRANSfutures Commissions: community-nominated, unrestricted grants to BIPOC TGNC artists each year.

PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
1) Our FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL of transgender and queer dance and performance is an annual three-day, multidisciplinary performance festival that centers TGNC and queer BIPOC artists.
2) Co-sponsorship of community-based trans arts events, with a focus on BIPOC TGNC events.

ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION:
1) Trans-supportive dance classes and workshops
3) Guest teaching and in-school presentations and residencies
4) LGBTQI+ community conversations

ADVOCACY:
1) National advocacy for intersectional trans/racial/disability justice in Dance through speaking engagements, panels, lectures, and other field-wide advocacy for trans equity in Dance.
2) Trans-positive Cultural Competency Trainings for dance venues, studios, and service organizations.

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