2026 nys choreographers

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.

Project Period: April 15 – December 1, 2026

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.