08/15/2025
📣 The NYS DanceForce, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts New York State Council on the Arts announces the 2026 NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI).
Established in 2018, the NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI) 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, professional dancers, the guidance of a mentor of their choice, and a $2,500 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 include Western NY, Central NY, the Capital District/North Country, and the Hudson Valley/Long Island.
“My chosen mentor brought a spaciousness to the process as well as a focused interest in what I was doing. She asked good questions and made herself available at many points throughout. I felt more confident in my explorations, questions, and process, partially because of how anchoring it was to relate to a mentor, someone who was outside of and within the project, who could reflect back what was happening.”
-Cam Moreno, 2025 NYSCI recipient
📆 The application portal opens Aug. 15, 2025, at danceforce.org. Deadline to submit is Dec 3, 2025, at 11:59pm EST.
Info and guidelines at danceforce.org.
Email [email protected] for more information 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 in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts
Image: – Laura Mentor Andre Malo-Robles (L) with 2025 NYSCI recipient Hettie Barnhill (R)
American Dance Asylum , Inc.
