About – Danspace Project

Land Acknowledgment

Danspace Project pays respect to Lenape peoples. We acknowledge that this work is situated on the Lenape island of Manhahtaan (Mannahatta) in Lenapehoking, the Lenape homeland. We pay respect to Lenape land, water, and ancestors past, present and future.

Site Acknowledgment

“Before we begin, let’s take a moment to acknowledge that the construction of this building, Saint Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, was completed in 1799. That same year, New York State enacted the Gradual Emancipation Act, so it is reasonable to assume that this building where we are when we stand, sit, dance, and some still worship, was built by enslaved individuals on what is the homeland of the Lenape people.” – Ishmael Houston-Jones
(Read more HERE in Judy Hussie-Taylor’s Dancing Ground)

Mission

Danspace Project presents new work in dance, supports a diverse range of choreographers in developing their work, encourages experimentation, and connects artists to audiences.

For over 45 years, Danspace Project has supported a vital community of contemporary dance artists in an environment unlike any other in the United States. Located in the historic St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, Danspace shares its facility with the Church, The Poetry Project, and New York Theatre Ballet. Danspace Project’s Commissioning Initiative has commissioned over 570 new works since its inception in 1994.

Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church. Photo: Anya Hitzenberger.

Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church. Photo: Anya Hitzenberger.

Danspace Project’s Choreographic Center Without Walls (CW²) provides context for audiences and increased support for artists. Our public programs (including Danspace Presents, Platforms, Food for Thought, DraftWork), Commissioning Initiative, residencies, guest artist curators, and contextualizing activities and materials are core components of CW² offering a responsive framework for artists’ works. Since 2010, we have produced twelve Platforms, published twelve print catalogues and five e-books, launched the Conversations Without Walls discussion series, and explored models for public discourse and residencies.

Danspace Project Values Statement

Danspace Project Community Guidelines

Accessibility at Our Venue

Covid Safety at Our Venue

Danspace Project Stands in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Resources and Support for our Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American Dance Community

Staff

  • Executive Director & Chief Curator

    Judy Hussie-Taylor

  • Deputy Director

    Jodi Bender
    (212) 674-8132

  • Communications Director

    Lily Cohen
    (212) 674-5856

  • Development & Communications Manager

    Severine Kaufman
    (212) 674-3554

  • Program Director/Associate Curator

    Seta Morton
    (917) 671-0243

  • Director of Development

    Tricia Pierson
    (212) 674-3838

  • Program & Operations Manager

    Rosaly Ruiz
    (917) 671-0242

  • Grants Manager

    Nora Thompson
    (212) 674-3530

  • Production Manager

    Niko Tsocanos
    (212) 674-5855

  • Lighting Designers

    Kathy Kaufmann
    Carol Mullins

  • House Managers

    Jordan Morley
    Emily C. Wong

  • Box Office Managers

    Niala
    Antonio Irizarry
    Ella Wasserman Smith

  • Finance Intern

    Julian Roel

  • DraftWork Curator

    Ishmael Houston-Jones

  • House Photographer

    Ian Douglas

Board of Directors

  • President

    Melissa Levin

  • Vice President

    David Parker

  • Secretary

    Rashaun Mitchell

  • Treasurer

    Judilee Reed

  • Officer-at-Large

    Anthony Calnek

  • Officer-at-Large

    Helen Warwick

  • Yona Backer
    Suzanne Bocanegra
    Trisha Brown, In Memoriam, 2006-2017
    Douglas Dunn, Emeritus
    David Fanger
    Ishmael Houston-Jones, Emeritus
    Judy Hussie-Taylor
    Thomas Lax
    Ralph Lemon, Emeritus
    Bebe Miller, Emeritus
    Sam Miller, In Memoriam, 2013-2018
    Sarah Needham
    Eiko Otake
    Nina Winthrop

Artists Advisory Board

Chair: Ain Gordon
Jonah Bokaer
Wally Cardona
David Dorfman
Jeanine Durning
Miguel Gutierrez
Trajal Harrell
Iréne Hultman
John Jasperse
Heidi Latsky
Tere O'Connor
Risa Steinberg
Donna Uchizono
Christopher Williams
Nami Yamamoto

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