Touch&Play Inclusivity Fundraiser

This scholarship aims to respond to the wealth gap caused by identity-based oppression and marginalization, specifically for BIPOC, trans and gender non-conforming folx, and differently abled folx. We see that these groups may have obstructed access to finances - both personally and inter-generationally - and so we wish to offer financial support with this lens of equity and social reparation.

Touch&Play aims to encourage a diverse community of dancers and somatic visionaries to explore play, vulnerability and building community with embodied, emotional, and erotic intelligence. This festival is an embodied inquiry in inclusivity that recognizes the emerging expansion of leadership in the U.S. to better include people of color, trans, and non-binary people. As a festival of dancers exploring and contributing to these cultural shifts we have created this scholarship to support the participation of individuals who self-identify as belonging to an underrepresented and/or marginalized group.

Help defray costs for POC/ LGBTQ or other underrepresented participants who need financial assistance in order to attend. We envision a world in which everyone is supported and no one is left out. Our scholarships reflect that vision by supporting individuals who self-identify as belonging to an underrepresented and/or marginalized group to participate who could not otherwise do so. We've set up an online application HERE (deadline Aug 22, 2021). We have already earmarked $900 extra money raised in June from the Mini T&P event that happened. We invite applications from members of all types of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups, including but not limited to race/ethnicity, national origin, sexual identity, gender identity, (dis)ability, or other unique identities we do not know to name. T&P will award scholarships based on criteria below as funds allow. The number of scholarships we are able to award is directly related to the amount of donations we receive. Please consider contributing generously!

The following criteria will be considered in the selection process. We are specifically interested in attracting dancers who:

1. Are new to Touch&Play and/or new to Earthdance

2. Identify as a member of the BIPOC, trans or gender nonconforming, and/or differently abled communities. (or other marginalized identities we do not know to name)

3. Have demonstrated a commitment to exploring building community with embodied, emotional, and erotic intelligence

4. People who will share their inspiration and wisdom from T&P with your local communities (ie: educators, practitioners, or facilitators)

Thanks for any donation no matter how small or large that you are able to help out with!

In Gratitude,

Shay Au Lait, Olivia Frank, Moti Zemelman, Daniel Hayes, Béu Tornaghi

(T&P 2021 Inclusivity team and Organizers)