NEFA’s National Dance Project Announces 30th Anniversary Awards

Sep 16

(Boston, MA) On the 30th anniversary of the National Dance Project (NDP), the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) announces $2,550,000 in awards to support 60 new dance projects through 30 NDP Production Grants and 30 NDP Finalist Awards.

NDP Production Grantees will receive a framework of support totaling $75,000, inclusive of $45,000 for creation/development, $10,000 in general operating support, and $20,000 reserved to support touring/sharing of their new dance project. NDP Finalists will receive $10,000 in unrestricted funding intended to support the continued creation/development of their proposed new dance project, as well as to address any sustainability needs.

Launched in 1996, the National Dance Project (NDP) supports the creation and U.S. touring of new dance projects and connects artists, cultural organizations, and audiences across the nation, and has been one of the country’s major sources of funding for the field.

To date, NDP has invested more than $56 million in funding to artists and organizations to strengthen partnerships and bring dance into communities across the U.S. NDP has supported approximately 859 choreographic works that have toured to all 50 states, Washington, DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico reaching over 3.8 million audience members in-person and virtually.

NDP Advisors selected these projects from a competitive pool of 280 applicants from 34 states, as well as Washington, D.C. and Guam. “Throughout the entire process, NDP Advisors remained grounded in the program criteria while uplifting representation across traditional and new dance forms and aesthetics, rigorous study/research, earnest storytelling, and commitments to community mobilization. It is because of their diligent work and care that we have a diverse cohort of grantees and finalists that reflect and strengthen the cultural and aesthetic diversities of today’s dance field,” shared Indira Goodwine, NEFA’s deputy director, national program strategy.

NEFA's National Dance Project is generously supported with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, with funding for special initiatives from the Aliad Fund at the Boston Foundation.

“With the right support, dance artists have the tools to lead us to better and more ethical human centered futures,” said Ashley Ferro-Murray, program director for the Arts at the Doris Duke Foundation. “It is exciting to imagine what world-building solutions will emerge from this cohort of National Dance Project grantees, and we are proud to support the work alongside Mellon, NEFA and the NDP advisors.”

“The National Dance Project has left an indelible impact on the national arts community that extends far beyond the stage,” said Stephanie Ybarra, program officer for Arts and Culture at the Mellon Foundation. “We are proud to partner with NEFA, the NDP community, and the Doris Duke Foundation in support of this powerful cohort of dance artists.”