2026 NYS Choreographers Initiative Guidelines

A Program of NYS DanceForce

Grant Application Portal Opens August 15, 2025
https://danceforce.grantplatform.com/
Deadline: December 3, 2025 11:59 pm EST

The NYS Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI) is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). NYSCI is designed to help individual choreographers, in all genres, develop their choreographic skills by providing them with resources that are generally unavailable or unaffordable. These resources include a $2,500 stipend, a minimum of 20 hours of creative time with professional dancers, and the guidance of a mentor of their choice.

This is an opportunity for experimentation.  It is not to be used for preparing for a specific production or tour, incorporating new dancers into old repertoire, or finishing a work in progress. Each project is a choreographic lab, designed to fit the specific needs of each artist.

(click on map to enlarge)

 Who We Are Looking For

The goal of the NYS Choreographers Initiative is to develop and support choreographic talent in the WNY, Central NY, Capital District/North County, and Hudson Valley/Long Island regions of New York State. This is an opportunity for individual artists – not collectives, companies, or organizations. Applicants must show evidence of commitment to producing original choreography, in any dance genre. Video samples are critical for a strong proposal and should preferably include work that is less than 4 years old. Rehearsal footage is acceptable. (The application will include instructions for submitting video samples.)

Applicants will be evaluated on:

  • Artistic Commitment to a Choreographic Process
  • Project Clarity & Choice of Mentor
  • Potential Impact on the Artist’s Development

Preference is given to those applicants who:

  • Have produced at least one full evening of work or three or more shared bills within the past five years
  • Select a mentor who is a New York State resident
Restrictions
  • Limited to choreographers who have consistently resided in the 55 eligible counties of New York State since January 2024 (see map above).
  • Current NYS DanceForce members are not eligible to apply as choreographers; they can participate as mentors or performers.
  • Former recipients are not eligible to apply for two years subsequent to their award year.
  • Matriculated students are not eligible.
  • At least half the studio time must happen in the artist’s home community.
 Timeline
  • Online Application Portal opens Friday, August 15, 2025 – https://danceforce.grantplatform.com/
  • Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 11:59pm EST
  • Awardees Announced: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
  • Project Period: April 15 – December 1, 2026
Pre-Application Information Sessions

Three public information sessions via Zoom will provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the NYS Choreographers Initiative:

  • Sat. September 20 at 9:30am – register here
  • Thur. October 9 at 7pm – register here
  • Tue. November 18 at 12pm – register here
One-on-One Consultations

In addition to the Pre-Application Information Sessions, applicants are encouraged to schedule one-on-one consultation(s) with staff. These personalized meetings can be especially helpful with mentor selection. Email choreoinitiative@danceforce.org to schedule a consultation.

Residency Requirements

This program is open to current residents of New York State, excluding the 5 boroughs of NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island); Rockland County; and Westchester County (see map above). Applicants must have resided in one of the eligible counties since January 2024, and not be a full-time student at the time the application is submitted.

Proof of residency for the applicant is required in the form of two different, current documents from the list below. All documentation must contain the individual’s name and address.

  • Telephone Bill
  • Credit card and/or bank statement (name and address page only; financial and account information should be blacked out)
  • NYS or Federal Tax form (first page only; social security and financial information should be blacked out)
  • Current lease or mortgage agreement listing the artist’s name and showing a NYS address
  • NY State Driver’s license or NY State ID card
  • Voter Registration Card
Other Requirements

All project participants (except for the mentor) must be New York State residents. Priority is given to projects with mentors who reside in NYS.

What Is Provided
  • Choreographer stipend – $2,500
  • Mentor stipend – $2,000
  • Up to $7,500 in support for dancers’ fees, studio rental, documentation & travel expenses
 What Is Expected
  • The basic model for the project is 20 hours of an artist-driven choreographic lab. The lab/rehearsal plan is designed by the choreographer with support from the NYSCI Program Manager. The final plan needs to conform to budget restrictions and is subject to approval by the Program Manager. Choreographers are free to work in any location in New York State; however, a minimum of 10 hours must be in their home community.
  • The choreographer is expected to take full advantage of this process-oriented time to dig deeper or move in new directions. A performance or public event is not required or expected.
  • Choreographers may select dancers from anywhere in New York State for the project. Dancers are confirmed after the grant recipients are announced and the projects are approved. Dancers must be paid a minimum of $50/hr.
  • Project must occur within the time period April 15 – December 1, 2026.
  • Each choreographer will select and engage the services of a mentor for a minimum of 2 consultations and 3 in-person rehearsal visits. The mentor is expected to provide critical response, offer challenges, and instigate experimentation with the goal of deepening the choreographic investigations of the NYSCI  recipient.
  • Choice of the mentor is critical to a successful application. Mentors should be experienced professionals who can offer the applicant new insights and new approaches, rather than a close colleague or friend. New relationships are preferred. Mentors do not have to be from the dance world. A signed letter of intent from the mentor with proposed dates is required.
  • Candidates are strongly urged to consult with the Program Manager regarding their choice of mentor. To schedule a one-on-one consultation, contact choreoinitiative@danceforce.org.
  • The mentor should spend 90 to 120 minutes meeting with the choreographer (by digital means, telephone, or in person) to discuss artistic goals, challenges, and interests early in the planning process and before finalizing the project design. At this point, the mentor may assign a task or offer suggestions based on video samples from the choreographer. Discussing logistics and scheduling doesn’t count towards this time commitment.
  • The mentor should visit rehearsals in person three times over the course of the 20-hour project by mutual agreement with the choreographer.
Online Application
  • Online Application Portal opens August 15, 2025 – https://danceforce.grantplatform.com/
  • Deadline: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 11:59 pm EST
  • Required Attachments: Applicant proof of residency (2), Choreographer’s bio (1), Mentor’s bio (1), Mentor’s letter of intent (1), Links to video samples (2). See the application form for details regarding attachments.

For More Information:
choreoinitiative@danceforce.org
Lois Welk, NYSCI Co-Program Manager
Remi Harris, NYSCI Co-Program Manager