Why DNA Offers CIC
DNA developed the CIC after recognizing a definite gap in choreographic education here in New York and the United States. Although many universities offer choreography and composition, there are very few resources for burgeoning choreographers outside of the academic world. For many choreographers, the exclusive, expensive university environment is not an option. Their careers are centered in NYC and thus they want to stay here-expanding their choreographic knowledge but remaining active in the dance scene. As one student wrote:
I crave the rigor and intensity of a new, focused artistic experience here in New York. Recently, I have considered that this need might be fulfilled by graduate school, but I struggle with how to reconcile this with the reality of the NYC-based life I’m carving out. It is not feasible to put on hold my current projects.
Although many students wish to remain in New York for all of its resources, making dance can feel very isolated in the city. Another student wrote:
Since moving to New York last year I have been working in complete isolation…At this point in my choreographic development I recognize and value the importance of community, and understand that my work is at its best when I incorporate received feedback.
Outside of an organizational support system, however, a lot of choreographers do not have the opportunity and structure to receive regular feedback and a peer community.
In addition to the choreographer’s need for community, another challenge is discovering and utilizing all of the resources in NYC. Just finding affordable space to create, rehearse and perform a choreographic work can be daunting to choreographer. Furthermore, there is a need for knowledge concerning the more practical matters that affect choreographers: marketing, development and fundraising, technical theater, fiscal responsibility, non-profit status, etc.
A year-long certificate program like this does not exist anywhere else in New York City or in the United States. It is evident from our recent Choreolab application pool, with students applying from Colorado, Connecticut, Mexico, and Canada in addition to NYC that there is need within the community for this type of program. For New York and US choreographers to compete with the world dance scene, more guidance, knowledge, resources, and opportunities are needed.
