National Dance Project Awarded Grants to New York Artists

Thirteen artists and companies with ties to the 92NY Harkness Dance Center received funding to support their work.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Dance

Bold vector editorial illustration of two abstract, silhouetted dance figures leaping in fluid motion, centered with generous negative space. — The National Dance Project has awarded production grants to 13 artists and companies with ties to New York City's 92NY Harkness Dance Center. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Dance Project has awarded grants to 13 artists and companies associated with the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center in New York City. The recipients were selected for their significant contributions to the dance community.

Why it matters

These awards provide essential financial support to choreographers and troupes, enabling them to continue developing new movement ideas and performance pieces. The funding recognizes the vital role these artists play within the long-standing community at the 92NY Harkness Dance Center.

The 13 grant recipients include eight production grant winners who received $75,000 each and five finalists who were awarded $10,000 each.

The players

92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center

This New York City institution provides residencies, performance opportunities, and education programs to professional dance artists.

Limón Dance Company

Founded by José Limón, this influential modern dance company is known for its technical precision and expressive movement style.

David Dorfman Dance

This contemporary dance company is led by artistic director David Dorfman and focuses on themes of human connection and social justice.

Ailey

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is an internationally recognized company that promotes African American cultural expression through dance.

Urban Bush Women

This Brooklyn-based performance ensemble explores the perspectives of Black women through dance, music, and spoken word.

The details

Recipients of the production grants include Naomi Funaki, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Brian Golden, David Dorfman Dance, Soles of Duende, Limón Dance Company, Bridgman | Packer Dance, and Omar Román de Jesús. Finalist awardees include Annie Rigney, Ailey, Ephrat Asherie, Roderick George, and Urban Bush Women, all of whom have established ties to the institution.

The 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center began its support of dance artists in the 1930s.
Limón Dance Company performed for the 92NY 150th anniversary in 2024.
Limón Dance Company performed for the Harkness 90th anniversary in 2025.
Naomi Funaki and Keerati Jinakunwiphat served as residents during the 2025-26 cycle.
Naomi Funaki and Bridgman | Packer Dance are scheduled as Mainstage artists for 2026-27.

Industry Dynamics

These grants underscore the continued importance of institutional support in sustaining contemporary dance amid a competitive nonprofit landscape. By anchoring funding to the 92NY Harkness Dance Center, the National Dance Project reinforces a model where long-term residency programs serve as incubators for the next generation of professional performance artists.

Audiences can expect to see the supported works featured in upcoming performances, including the 2026-27 Mainstage season. These grants ensure that local patrons have continued access to high-caliber contemporary dance performances in New York City.

The takeaway

Supporting residency-based artists ensures the long-term vitality of the modern dance ecosystem. Aspiring artists should track the application windows for the 92NY programs to access future performance and development opportunities.