Findings from the State of NYC Dance 2023 Report revealed the need to collectively act. We’ve identified the following priorities as currently actionable ways to improve the lives of our workers and the sustainability of our organizations. Join Dance/NYC in advocating for these priorities.
Priority 1: Just funding for the dance ecosystem
Sustainable and equitable public funding for the arts allows dance entities to thrive, workers to get paid for their work, and our communities to enjoy enriching programming.
Take action
Pass New York State Assembly Bill A2607 for culturally diverse arts funding
New York State Assembly Bill A2607 increases access to resources for culturally diverse arts and culture organizations that advocate for racial and social justice.
Take action
Protect a National Endowment for the Arts for all
NEA grants have been terminated and the NEA—which funds arts and culture across the nation—is at risk of being eliminated entirely. We want grants restored and NEA employees rehired now, full support for the NEA in next year’s budget, and greater transparency on what grants were revoked and why.
Past Actions
- Call for $75 million in baselined city funding for arts and culture
City funding keeps NYC dance organizations running, able to pay their workers and program for their communities. - Call for $200 million in state funding for arts and culture by April 1
The state budget funds the New York State Council on the Arts, which supports the programming of dance and other arts organizations across the state.
Learn more about the moves you can make in your day-to-day practice to address Issue 2 and Issue 3.
Priority 2: Fair pay and benefits for dance workers
When the average dance worker earns 15% less than the New York City living wage, pay, benefits, and a social safety net for our workers are critical.
Take action
Establish a statewide Creative Economy Strategic Plan to protect cultural workers
A statewide Creative Economy Strategic Plan would be a first step to create policies that support the livelihoods of creative workers, like wage standards for publicly funded arts projects and portable benefits that workers could take from gig to gig.
Take action
Pilot Guaranteed Income programs to create a safety net for all
Guaranteed Income programs give people cash with no strings attached. Supporting the guaranteed income movement sets the stage for dance workers to achieve security between gigs.
Take action
Pass the New York Health Act to guarantee healthcare for all New Yorkers
The New York Health Act would guarantee healthcare coverage for every New Yorker, without exceptions. This is especially helpful for dance workers who exist in the gig economy without employer-provided health insurance.
Past Actions
- Create a citywide Trans Artist Fund
By providing $500 in direct cash assistance to NYC trans artists, City Council can increase financial security for marginalized dance workers.
Learn more about the moves you can make in your day-to-day practice to address Issue 1 and Issue 2.
Priority 3: Dance education in public schools
Only 21% of New York City public high schools provide dance education. Dance education is crucial to opening pathways into dance, creativity, and expression for all students.
Take action
Pass New York State Senate Bill S6318 to ensure arts instruction for every student
New York State Senate Bill S6318 mandates that every New York State student receives arts instruction from a certified arts teacher, increasing equitable arts education access.
Past Actions
- Call for a city budget that fully funds arts education for every student
Join NYC Arts in Education Roundtable in ensuring that every NYC public school has a certified arts teacher and dedicated arts education funding. - Testify at City Council to support equity and access for arts education
On April 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM, NYC City Council is holding a hearing on ensuring equity and access in the arts. Before the hearing, there will be an arts education rally. Testify to share your story and ideas on how to improve working conditions for all arts workers. - Create more equitable and vibrant National Arts Standards for students
The National Arts Standards inform how students are taught across the country. Let’s ensure they reflect a full spectrum of what dance can be.
Learn more about the moves you can make in your day-to-day practice to address Issue 1.
Priority 4: Sustainable space for dance
Dance workers and entities both named space as one of their top five needs. Affordable dance space allows our workers and entities to stay embedded in our communities.
Take action
Pass the New York City Arts Space Act
The NYC Arts Space Act incentivizes developers to include affordable arts spaces in affordable housing development.
Take action
Create the Queensborough People’s Space for community-owned arts spaces
The Queensborough People’s Space would create permanently affordable, community-owned arts spaces as part of rezoning in Long Island City, Queens.
Learn more about the moves you can make in your day-to-day practice to address Issue 2.
Join the #OurNYCDance Action Crew
Want to build a better dance industry? Join the Our New York City Dance 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.