The CUNY Dance Initiative has announced its cohort of awarded choreographers and dance companies for the 2026–27 residency cycle. Running from July 2026 through June 2027, the program will underwrite 26 separate residencies for early- and mid-career artists. The selected participants will work across 14 CUNY college campuses and four affiliated partner arts organizations.
The incoming cohort represents the largest group of resident artists supported by the organization to date. A competitive open call process drew 266 total applications before organizers finalized the performance and rehearsal roster. The chosen artists specialize in diverse movement styles, including ballet, street dance, tap, flamenco, contemporary, and culturally specific traditions.
The residency structure is designed to address the ongoing shortage of affordable rehearsal and performance spaces throughout New York City. Host campuses provide access to physical dance studios and theatrical stages that are otherwise difficult for local companies to secure independently. The program is spearheaded by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College under the leadership of director Alyssa Alpine.
Participating choreographers receive dedicated studio time, financial compensation, and resources to develop both new and existing choreography. The program simultaneously coordinates educational programming for local university students and regional communities. These campus engagements include public master classes, open rehearsals, guest academic lectures, and scheduled live performances.
The initiative has expanded its reach through a new collaboration with The Next Festival of Emerging Artists. This agreement secures developmental studio space for an integrated composer-choreographer partnership established during June 2026 programming. The new setup complements ongoing partnerships with the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, and Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning.
Since its initial launch in 2014, the organization has granted institutional residencies to 300 total New York City choreographers. Major funding for the upcoming 2026–27 scheduling is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation, the George S. Kaufman Charitable Foundation, and the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Detailed schedules for individual public campus performances will be distributed later this year.
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