Our New York City Dance
The Our New York City Dance campaign fought for a more sustainable, just, and thrivable dance ecosystem in 2025.
Together, we:
- Won a $75 million increase in the arts and culture budget, marking the largest in city history. This included the first growth in baseline funding in over a decade.
- Won a $45 million increase in city arts education funding, with $41 million of it baselined
- Made key advances in statewide legislation that would promote culturally diverse arts funding and codify arts education for every student
- Mobilized 72 dance workers to join the #OurNYCDance Action Crew
Here’s how we got there:
MARCH 13 & 18
We rallied and testified at NYC Council’s Preliminary Budget Hearings (Education + Cultural Affairs) for equitable arts funding
These hearings were the public’s first opportunity to weigh in on the city budget process. We came together with a bold ask: a $75 million baselined increase for arts and culture funding and $41 million baselined increase for arts education. This was our first move in establishing what Our New York City Dance needs.
MARCH 26
We launched the Our New York City Dance campaign
Dance workers came together to form the #OurNYCDance Action Crew
This group of dance workers, advocates, and supporters pledged to take action for a more just, equitable, and sustainable dance field. Over the next three months, Action Crew members testified, rallied, emailed representatives, and more to advance our collective priorities.
The NYC Council passed a resolution supporting the NYC Arts Space Act—one of our priority items
We joined the City Council’s call to the New York State Legislature to pass this bill, which would incentivize the development of affordable arts spaces. It still needs to be adopted by the state legislature.
APRIL 8
We joined the #ItStartsWithTheArts Rally and the City Council Joint Oversight Hearing on Ensuring Equity and Access in the Arts
We rallied together with the It Starts With the Arts Coalition at this City Council hearing to fight for equity in dance education for every student in every neighborhood of NYC.
MAY 1
The FY2026 Executive Budget supported our asks
This proposed city budget put forth massive wins for arts and culture: a $45 million baselined increase to arts and culture funding, the first in over a decade, and a $41 million baselined increase to arts education funding. We continued to fight for the last $30 million.
MAY 9
We protected arts and culture in the New York State Budget
After months of state budget advocacy, the budget passed with very modest reductions for arts and culture. In a difficult federal and state budget year, we emphasized the importance of protecting cultural funding as a vital public good.
MAY 20 & 21
We mobilized for the Rally for Arts and Culture at City Hall + NYC Executive Budget Hearings
In the midst of attacks on arts and culture, we drove home the message that the city must do more for dance and arts workers.
JUNE
We made key advancements as the New York State Legislative Session ended
While none of our state legislative priorities passed, two of our bills made key advancements by passing in the State Senate:
- The first increases culturally diverse arts funding for racial and social justice.
- The second ensures arts instruction for every student as a New York State requirement.
JUNE 30
The NYC Council passed the FY2026 Budget with a historic investment in arts and culture
NYC’s FY2026 budget passed with $45 million baselined to restore support for the cultural community, plus an additional $30 million for arts and culture! Additionally, the budget saw a $45 million increase in city arts education funding, with $41 million of it baselined.
In a time when our cultural landscape is under attack, our wins drive home an important message: when we come together, we can protect and advance our community’s needs. Every action was stronger because we did it together.
Our Collective Vision
State of NYC Dance 2023: Findings from the Dance Industry Census revealed a bold and collective vision for the future. Our New York City Dance is valued and protected as a form of cultural expression and common good. It is a just, attainable, and sustainable profession that leads to our thrivability. It is a vibrant and diverse ecosystem that strengthens the local fabric of civic life.
Taking Action for Our New York City Dance
Let’s advocate for the changes that will make dance more sustainable, just and thrivable.
PRIORITY 1
Just funding for the dance ecosystem
PRIORITY 2
Fair pay and benefits for dance workers
PRIORITY 3
Dance education in public schools
PRIORITY 4
Sustainable space for dance
Join the #OurNYCDance Action Crew
Want to build a better dance industry? Join the #OurNYCDance Action Crew—a dedicated group committed to actively shaping the future of dance in NYC. As a Crew member, you’ll receive exclusive advocacy updates, along with direct calls to action like attending rallies and contacting lawmakers.
This is more than just staying informed—it’s about showing up, taking action, and moving together as a community. By joining the Action Crew, you’ll be part of a collective push for the policies, funding, and protections our dance ecosystem needs.
Making moves to strengthen Our New York City Dance
Tackle the issues that our industry faces in our day-to-day practice as dance workers and organizational leaders.
Issue 1
Dance Workers’ Lack of Value and Protections in Society
Issue 2
Financial Unsustainability for our Workers and Organizations
Issue 3
Justice, Equity and Inclusion are Still Lagging
Important Dates and Events
Header Image | Pictured: Dancers Joan Bradford, Jessica Lee, Candance Sumpter, Rebecca Gual, Lorena Jaramillo of SLMDances, and Reyna Nunez, Alora Martinez, Cocoro Carr, Imani Arrington of Ladies of Hip Hop kneel and sit in a circle surrounding J. Bouey as they perform during the State of NYC Dance event. Photographer: Jeffrey Lee/On the Spot Image