August 15, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACTS:
Remi Harris, Program Co-Manager
Lois Welk, Program Co-Manager
choreoinitiative@danceforce.org
danceforce.org
NYS DANCEFORCE AND THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS ANNOUNCE THE 10TH CYCLE
OF NYS CHOREOGRAPHERS INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM
The New York State DanceForce and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) announce the 2027 NYS Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI). This program supports professional development for choreographers in 55 of the 62 counties of New York, working in all dance genres. Eligible regions are Western NY; Central NY/Capital District/North Country; and Hudson Valley/Long Island.
The application portal opens August 17, 2026 at danceforce.org.
Deadline for proposals is December 2, 2026, 11:59pm EST.
With funding support from NYSCA, The New York State Choreographers Initiative – 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.
“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
NYSCI 2027 Information Sessions:
Sat. Aug. 29 at 9am Register here
Tue. Sep. 15 at 12pm Register here
Thu. Oct. 8 at 7pm Register here
Tue. Nov. 10 at 12pm Register here
Guidelines are available at danceforce.org. For more information contact the NYS Choreographers Initiative at choreoinitiative@danceforce.org.
The New York State DanceForce is a consortium of 23 dance activists committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity throughout New York State. Each of our members receives an annual allocation to create projects that bring dance artists to upstate NY communities in customized residencies. Since its founding in 1994, DanceForce, through the work of its members, has funded some 500 projects, raising more than $4 million in support of these endeavors. The NYS DanceForce is administered by American Dance Asylum, Inc.
About New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. The Council on the Arts will award over $161 million in FY 2027, serving hundreds of arts organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
