making moves dance festival

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is pleased to open its application portal for the 17th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival (MMDF2026).

MMDF2026 will present commissions by and performances from up to nine choreographers. MMDF2026 runs at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue) from Friday to Sunday, September 18 to 20, 2026. All choreographers, dance artists, and companies working in any genre—including, but not limited to, modern, contemporary, African, ballet, ballroom, folk, hip hop, jazz, and social-dance influence (e.g., vogue, house, and waacking)—are encouraged to apply; bold ideas are especially welcome.

Applicants will be selected based on the strength of submitted work samples, clarity of choreographic vision, ability to communicate their commitment to purpose, aesthetics, and technique, an artist statement, evidence of training pertinent to the work, and a documented track record of artistic activity in NYC. Calls of inquiry regarding the status of an application will not be returned.