NY State Choreographers Initiative

NY State Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI), a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with the New York State Council of the Arts, awards annual grants to support choreographers in developing their skills by providing them with resources to advance their creative practice. 

This program supports professional development for choreographers in 55 out of the 62 counties of New York, working in all dance genres. Eligible regions are Western NY, Central NY, Capitol District/North Country, and Hudson Valley/Long Island. Artists based in the 5 boroughs of NYC, Rockland, and Westchester Counties ARE NOT eligible.

The application portal opens on October 1, 2024, at danceforce.org. Deadline for proposals: December 7, 2024, 11:59pm EST.

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. The awardees each receive a $2,500 stipend, a $2,000 stipend for a mentor of their choice, and up to $7,000 in support for artist fees, studio rental, documentation, and travel expenses. Each project is essentially a mini-residency designed to fit each artist’s specific needs. This is an opportunity for artists to try new approaches, engage with a mentor, and experiment freely without the pressure of production deadlines.

More information about the program, guidelines, and application can be found at www.Danceforce.org