Research Fellowship

Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive, University of Oklahoma School of Dance

Mission

The mission of the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive at the University of Oklahoma School of Dance is to collect, arrange, preserve, and make accessible to researchers materials that document the history of the Ballets Russes companies, artists and dancers.

Description

The Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive Research Fellowship provides an opportunity for one scholar annually to conduct research in the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive in the School of Dance at the University of Oklahoma. The Fellow will be expected to demonstrate the results of the research to academic and non-academic audiences. The Fellow will have access to the archivist’s knowledge of the collections and will be expected to produce scholarly materials for a peer-reviewed publication and/or a conference presentation.

Background of the Collections

Ballets Russes dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov began teaching ballet classes at the University of Oklahoma while visiting Yvonne’s parents in Oklahoma City in 1961. These classes grew into a department led by Chouteau and Terekhov in 1963 and the program expanded to a school in 1998. In 2007 under then Director of the School of Dance, Mary Margaret Holt, conversations began between the School of Dance and former Ballets Russes dancers about donating their memorabilia to start an archive. This launched the collection of material that led to the founding of the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive.

The collections include contracts, correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, diaries, books, oral histories, scrapbooks, costume pieces, artwork, and photographs as well as video resources and ephemera.

Award

The Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive Research Fellowship provides:

  • Travel and accommodation reimbursement up to $2,500 for a 1-2 week on-site visit to OU and the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive.

  • Research period dates between August 19-December 13, 2024.

  • Workspace on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus.

  • Mediated access to the collections.

  • Travel and accommodations up to $1,000 for the presentation at the University of Oklahoma.

  • A $5,000 stipend.

The Fellow will provide:  

  • A short report of no more than 3 pages describing the research experience.

  • Submission of the completed project to the School of Dance for inclusion in the Special Collections.

  • An in-person lecture to be presented at the University of Oklahoma School of Dance.

  • A record of submission to a peer-reviewed scholarly journal (or journals) for publication and/or proof of submission as a conference presentation/paper within two calendar years of their on-site visit to the archive or extended period as agreed upon by archivist.

  • Acknowledgement of the fellowship in any resulting publications.

Deadlines

A Fellowship is awarded annually.

  • Application cycle: Opens March 1st, 2024

  • Application deadline: May 15th, 2024

  • Fellow announced: June 15th, 2024

  • Residency period: Between August 19 and December 13, 2024 (Two-week limit)

  • Fellowship Lecture at OU: Date TBD between January 20 and May 2, 2025

The Ballets Russes Fellowship 2024 Application

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. 

Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.

The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its Indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
 

Contact Information

Email: brarchive@ou.edu

Mailing Address: Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive
The University of Oklahoma School of Dance
560 Parrington Oval, Room 1000
Norman, OK 73019-4051