NYS DanceForce

09/01/2026

📣 Apply to the 2027 NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI)!

NYSCI - now in its 10th year - is designed to support dance artists in the development of their choreographic skills by providing them with resources that are often unavailable or unaffordable.

These resources include:
* A Minimum of 20 hours of creative studio time
* Choreographer stipend of $3,000
* Mentor stipend of $2,500
* Up to $8,000 in support for dancers’ fees, studio rental, documentation & travel expenses

This is an opportunity for artists to try new approaches, engage with a mentor, and experiment freely without the pressure of production deadlines. 

📆 Deadline to submit is Dec. 2, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

Application, guidelines, and registration for info sessions available at www.danceforce.org.

Email [email protected] for more info or to set up a consultation.

NYSCI is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA

📸: Co-Program Managers, Lois Welk and Remi Harris

08/28/2026

Western NY! Monica Bill Barnes & Dance company are performing at Alfred University on Sept 12! Free admission, no tickets, just show up and experience this incredible performace!

08/28/2026

Join us for our first info session for the 2027 NYS Choreographers Initiative.

Saturday, August 29 at 9am

More info and registration at the link below:
https://www.danceforce.org/4441-2/

The NYS DanceForce, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA announces the 2027 NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI).

NYSCI - now in its 10th year - is designed to support dance artists in the development of their choreographic skills by providing them with resources that are often unavailable or unaffordable. These resources include a minimum of 20 hours of creative studio time with paid professional dancers/collaborators, the guidance of a mentor of their choice, and a $3,000 stipend. This is an opportunity for artists to try new approaches, engage with a mentor, and experiment freely without the pressure of production deadlines. 

Eligible regions are Western NY, Central NY, Capitol District/North Country, and Hudson Valley/Long Island.
 
“NYSCI is truly unique in its investment in the individual artist and their imagination, prioritizing praxis, passion, and ideas over the nuts-and-bolts labor, time, and expectations that can so easily, and frequently, overwhelm production. The opportunity to work with and to have protected, supported time alongside an admired mentor has had tremendous short- and long-term impact.” - Danielle Russo, 2025 NYSCI Recipient 

📆 Application portal opens Aug. 17, 2026
📆 Deadline to submit is Dec. 2, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

Info, guidelines, and application available at www.danceforce.org.

Email [email protected] for more info and to set up a consultation.

The NYS DanceForce is a consortium of 22 dance activists committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity throughout New York State.

NYSCI is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA

📸: – 2026 NYSCI recipient Kaley Pruitt (R) with mentor Monica Bill Barnes (L)

08/25/2026

2026 NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI) recipient Jessy Crist (R) with Mentor Amanda Krische (L) at Kestrels in Brooklyn, NY.

✨ Learn more about the 2026 NYSCI awardees at www.danceforce.org

NYSCI is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA

📆 Applications for the 2027 NY State Choreographers Initiative are open! Link in bio!

08/25/2026

We're just over two weeks until Curtain Up! and the launch of the Buffalo theater season- Torn Space is excited to host an extraordinary evening of dance to celebrate.

Join us for REBEL REVISITED: a one-night celebration of dance legend Martha Graham, featuring a rare screening of her landmark 1934 film Lamentation — followed by three original variations commissioned especially for this evening.

Choreographers Sukanya Burman, Elaine Gardner, and Paz Tanjuaquio each bring their own voice to Graham’s iconic movement language, working within the same spare, powerful constraints Graham herself embraced.

The evening also includes video contributions from Martha Graham Dance Company dancers Xin Ying and Blakeley White McGuire as well as 3 original pieces from the repertory of Burman, Gardner and Tanjuaquio. Musicians include Jonathan Golove, Brian Eckenrode and Todd Richmond. Dancers include Natalie Halady, Nancy Hughes, Lyla Giallombardo, Michaela “M” Neild, Star Larson, Rebecca Pickering, Elyssia Primus and Valerie Lytle.

Presented by Torn Space Theater and NYS DanceForce, a Curtain Up! presentation

Tickets available now: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/a-rebel-revisited-movement-variations-inspired-by-martha-graham

Image from Lamentations film by Martha Graham (1934)

08/23/2026

08/17/2026

The NYS DanceForce, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA announces the 2027 NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI).

NYSCI - now in its 10th year - is designed to support dance artists in the development of their choreographic skills by providing them with resources that are often unavailable or unaffordable. These resources include a minimum of 20 hours of creative studio time with paid professional dancers/collaborators, the guidance of a mentor of their choice, and a $3,000 stipend. This is an opportunity for artists to try new approaches, engage with a mentor, and experiment freely without the pressure of production deadlines. 

Eligible regions are Western NY, Central NY, Capitol District/North Country, and Hudson Valley/Long Island.
 
“NYSCI is truly unique in its investment in the individual artist and their imagination, prioritizing praxis, passion, and ideas over the nuts-and-bolts labor, time, and expectations that can so easily, and frequently, overwhelm production. The opportunity to work with and to have protected, supported time alongside an admired mentor has had tremendous short- and long-term impact.” - Danielle Russo, 2025 NYSCI Recipient 

📆 Application portal opens Aug. 17, 2026
📆 Deadline to submit is Dec. 2, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

Info, guidelines, and application available at www.danceforce.org.

Email [email protected] for more info and to set up a consultation.

The NYS DanceForce is a consortium of 22 dance activists committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity throughout New York State.

NYSCI is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA

📸: – 2026 NYSCI recipient Kaley Pruitt (R) with mentor Monica Bill Barnes (L)

08/14/2026

2026 NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI) recipient Liv Butowsky (black shirt) with Mentor Hadar Ahuvia (red shirt) at PS21 in Chatham, NY.

✨ Learn more about the 2026 NYSCI awardees at www.danceforce.org

📆 Applications for the 2027 NY State Choreographers Initiative open soon!

NYSCI is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts NYSCA

Stay tuned for more information.