The New York State DanceForce and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) announce the 2027 NYS Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI). 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/Capital District/North Country; and Hudson Valley/Long Island.
The application portal opens August 17, 2026 at danceforce.org.
Deadline for proposals is December 2, 2026, 11:59pm EST.
With funding support from NYSCA, The New York State Choreographers Initiative – now in its 10th year – 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 with paid professional dancers/collaborators, the guidance of a mentor of their choice, and a $3,000 stipend. This is an opportunity for artists to try new approaches, engage with a mentor, and experiment freely without the pressure of production deadlines.