What's Happening
Stay Connected
Receive the latest news, grant offerings, and community events.
In preparation for the next National Dance Project (NDP) Production Grant cycle, it is with great enthusiasm that we share the 2023 NDP Advisor Cohort.
The NDP Advisors are a rotating group of 12 individuals who represent various aspects of our dance ecology including, but not limited to: artists, presenters, administrators, cultural strategists, curators, producers, and educators. While their primary responsibility is to determine the 20 new dance projects that will receive the NDP Production Grant*, they also serve as accountability partners to ensure NEFA’s values are exemplified in our grantmaking processes and practices. NDP Advisors serve one to three-year terms and engage in deep dialogue that continues to foster new thinking that is intentional in how artists are supported in their creative process, desired connections with community, and performance opportunities.
As part of their collective decision making, NDP Advisors are committed to equitably stewarding these resources in a way that uplifts and upholds truth in storytelling and simultaneously can address some deeply rooted structural and fieldwide inequities. However, the NDP Advisors and NEFA recognize that we cannot make the variety of changes solely through this grant program. It must be the collective responsibility of all involved to establish and implement better models that amplify holistic support and the ability for artists to thrive. Ultimately, we understand that the path for NDP Advisors can be a challenging and yet fulfilling one. We thank them all in advance for their thought partnership, commitment, and care during the upcoming process.
*NEFA’s National Dance Project (NDP) provides funding for the creation and U.S. touring of new dance projects and field building for dance. The NDP Production Grant offers a unique framework of support to 20 new dance projects annually.
In 2023, NDP is excited to welcome four new Advisors:
- Jerron Herman (He/Him/His)
Dancer/Performer
Land of the Lenapehoking People (New York, NY) - Marisa Hollingsworth (She/Her/Hers)
Executive and Artistic Director, Presenting Denver
Land of the Apaches, Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches, and Arapahoes (Denver, CO) - Lori N. Jones (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Programming and Audience Development, Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Land of the Paugussett People (Fairfield, CT) - Tamara "Fákémi" Williams (She/Her/Hers/Iya)
Founder and Artistic Director, Moving Spirits Inc. & Associate Professor, UNC Charlotte
Land of the Catawba, Sugaree, Cherokee, Coharie and Lumbee Peoples (Charlotte, NC) & Tupi-Guarani People (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil)
We are grateful for the continued service of eight returning NDP Advisors:
- Michele Kumi Baer (She/Her/Hers and They/Them)
Cultural New Deal and Kumi Cultural
Land of the Tongva People (Los Angeles, CA) - Kristen Brogdon (She/Her/Hers)
Director, Artistic & Community Programs, University of Minnesota - Northrop
Land of the Wahpekute and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ Peoples (Minneapolis, MN) - Germaine Ingram (She/Her/Hers)
Dance/Vocal Improviser, Choreographer, Cultural Strategist, Writer
Land of Lenni-Lenape People (Philadelphia, PA) - Patrick Makuakāne (He/Him/His)
Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Nā Lei Hulu i ka Wēkiu
Land of the Ramaytush, Ohlone, and Muwekma Peoples (San Francisco, CA) - Tariq Darrell O’Meally (He/Him/His)
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dance Place Artist-In-Residence, BlackLight Summit Creator/Curator/Lead Producer
Land of the Piscataway People (College Park, MD) - Heena Patel (She/Her/Hers)
Cultural Strategist, Creative Producer, CEO MELA Arts Connect
Land of the Tsalaguwetiyi and S’atsoyaha (Asheville, NC) - Ali Rosa-Salas (She/Her/Hers)
Vice President of Visual and Performing Arts, Abrons Arts Center/Henry Street Settlement & Associate Curator, Jacob’s Pillow
Land of the Munsee Lenape People (New York, NY) & Land of the Mohican People (Becket, MA) - Judith Smith (She/Her/Hers)
Founder, AXIS Dance Company
Land of the Ohlone, Muwekma, and Chochenyo Peoples (Oakland, CA)
Lastly, we extend a special thank you to our outgoing Advisors who have left an indelible impression on our program:
- Jennifer Calienes (She/Her/Hers)
Interim Director, Wesleyan Center for the Arts
Land of the Quinnipiac, Wappinger, and Wangunks Peoples (Middletown, CT) - Eric Fliss (He/Him/His)
Managing Director, South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center
Land of the Seminole, Taino, and Tequesta Peoples (Miami, FL) - Ebony Noelle Golden (She/Her/Hers)
Artist, Founder & CEO, Betty's Daughter Arts Collaborative
Land of the Munsee Lenape People (New York, NY) - Shira Greenberg (She/Her/Hers)
Founder & Artistic Director, Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts
Land of the Pueblos People (Albuquerque, NM)
Please Note: Native Land Acknowledgements have been provided by Advisors based on their location. Additional support has been provided by native-land.ca. The website strives to represent nations and Indigenous people on their own terms and recognizes that the map is a work-in-progress that relies on contributions from the community to fix any errors.
If you are interested in being considered as a potential NDP Advisor, please fill out NEFA’s initial interest survey. While completion of the survey does not guarantee an invitation to serve as an Advisor, it is important for us to note your interest. Selection of NDP Advisors considers geography, gender, disability, cultural and racial equity, and includes new and established leaders in the field.