Western New York Choreographers’ Initiative

The WNY Choreographers’ Initiative (WNYCI) program is designed to help WNY resident choreographers develop their choreographic skills through providing them with appropriate resources that are generally unavailable or unaffordable in their community. These resources include creative studio time, professional dancers, and the guidance of professional mentors.


The program covers the state’s 17 westernmost counties: Chautauqua, Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Monroe, Livingston, Steuben, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Schuyler, and Chemung. This includes the Buffalo and Rochester metropolitan areas, as well as numerous smaller cities, towns and villages.


WNYCI is administered by the New York State DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). It places priority on supporting artists who demonstrate a long-term commitment to their community, with the intent of fostering the development of Western New York as a place for the creation and eventually export of professional-level dance.