The CUNY Dance Initiative, a citywide program that provides New York City choreographers and dance companies with creative residencies on public college campuses, has opened its call for applications for the 2026–27 academic year.
Applications will be accepted from Dec. 9, 2025, through Jan. 20, 2026, for residencies taking place between July 2026 and June 2027. The program is open to New York City–based individual choreographers and dance companies working across a wide range of styles, including contemporary, classical and culturally specific forms.
The initiative expects to award at least 20 residencies during the upcoming cycle, hosted across 14 City University of New York campuses and four partner arts organizations in all five boroughs. Artists selected for the program will receive access to rehearsal and performance spaces that include dance studios with marley and wood floors, intimate theaters and large proscenium stages.
Residencies may be used to launch new projects, continue developing existing work or culminate in premiere performances. Each residency includes an honorarium, along with opportunities for teaching or community engagement on campus.
Founded in 2014, the CUNY Dance Initiative was created to address the chronic shortage of affordable rehearsal space in New York City, a challenge highlighted in the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s 2010 report “We Make Do.” A pilot program supporting residencies on four CUNY campuses in 2013 led to the initiative’s formal launch the following year.
Over the past decade, CDI has become a key part of the city’s performing arts ecosystem, supporting both emerging and established artists while integrating professional dance activity into the public university system. The program marked its 10th anniversary in 2024 and, over the past 11 years, has awarded 275 residencies to choreographers and dance companies across the city.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College and receives major support from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation and the Howard Gilman Foundation, with additional funding from the SHS Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Program, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation and the Harkness Foundation for Dance.
More information about eligibility, program guidelines and the application process is available at www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative.
••••• Message Center••••
Follow us on social media: Facebook • Instagram • Threads • X • Bluesky • Tiktok • Reddit
Looking for news and events beyond NYC? Finding Connecticut and Finding The Hudson Valley have the latest happenings just north of the city!
Let’s create with Victory Designs
Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.
Share your New York City experiences on instagram #findingnewyorkcity
Save on CBD!
My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding New York City. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.
Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code NYC35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.
Products we use here at Finding New York City include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops• Pet Treats