Description

The New York State DanceForce and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) announce the 2025 NYS Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI). This program supports professional development for choreographers in 55 of the 62 counties of New York State, 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 New York 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. These resources include a minimum of 20 hours of creative studio time, a $2,500 choreographer 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. This is an opportunity for artists to try new approaches, engage with a mentor, and experiment freely without the pressure of production deadlines. Each project is essentially a mini-residency designed to fit each artist’s specific needs. The goal of the NY State Choreographers Initiative is to develop and support choreographic talent in the Western NY, Central NY, Capital District/North County, and Hudson Valley/Long Island regions of New York State. Applicants must show evidence of commitment to producing original choreography, in any dance genre. Video samples are critical for determining artistic excellence and should include work that is less than 4 years old. (The application will include instructions for submitting video samples.) This is an opportunity for individual artists, not collectives or organizations.