The Recession-Busting New Essential Works Program for Dance Projects

(1-10-2011) A program of the Jerome Robbins Foundation, New Essential Works was created in fall of 2009 as a response to the financial crisis and the prospect of "a lost period of choreography." Frequently partnering with performance centers, the Foundation awards grants from $10,000 to $35,000 to choreographers. There are no grant applications and specific works-in-progress are not required. Instead, foundation staff, sometimes in collaboration with the partner organizations, select individuals according to artistic merit and relevance. Also taken into account are potential benefits to struggling companies and instances of quality work at risk of falling through the cracks.

Read about the program staff and the grant recipients here.