Artistic Development Fund

About The Fund

The Artistic Development Fund supports the artistic development of members of the ballroom community in Utrecht by offering funds for studio space and travel costs. Too often, these costs stand in the way of people joining classes, practices, or balls. This fund is here to expand financial accessibility in the ballroom scene to make sure all of us can train and develop.

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Currently, the Artistic Development Fund covers two main things:

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1. Studio rentals – enabling groups to book rehearsal studios in Utrecht for ballroom practices. This can be for a house training or for a group of 007s coming together, with a minimum of 5 participants.
   
   
2. Travel costs – covering the cost of travel to Utrecht for classes, practices, and balls for people who would otherwise struggle to afford it. This ensures that travel costs don’t stop anyone from joining.
   
   

The fund is designed to be low-barrier and fast. We want to make sure people can focus on developing their ballroom journey, not worrying about how to pay for it. Reimbursement is our preferred choice – you pay the cost, and we reimburse you quickly. However, if paying upfront isn’t possible, we’ll work with you to find a solution - just contact our team at utrecht.ballroom@gmail.com.

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Applications should be submitted at least three days before the studio rental or travel and they need to be approved in advance. This helps us process requests efficiently.

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By improving access to studio spaces and removing travel cost barriers, the Artistic Development Fund invests in the artistic development of the ballroom community. In the future, we’d like to add more ways in which the fund can foster the personal growth of our community members.

FAQ

Who can apply?
Any active community member of the Dutch ballroom scene who faces financial barriers to booking a studio for ballroom practices (house training or 007 group, min. 5 people) or attending classes, practices or balls.

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‍What’s covered?

• Studio rental costs for typical dance/rehearsal studios in Utrecht of maximum €25 per hour.
• Public transport (second-class) tickets for travel to Utrecht for classes, practices, or balls.

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‍What’s not covered?

• Taxis, bike rentals, or other travel costs beyond public transportation
• Hotels, food, or personal costs outside Utrecht.
• Activities or studio bookings not related to ballroom.
• Studios or large venues with rates of more than €25 per hour.

Application Process

1. Submit your application through this form at least 3 days before the class, practice, or ball.
2. Our team reviews the applications and communicates decisions in 2 business days. Applications must be approved before the activity to be reimbursed.
3. Receive confirmation and instructions for reimbursement or pre-arranged alternative.
4. Send proof of costs and fill in a short reflection for the fund’s impact.