Dance/NYC

This spring, we came together to advance policies that better support . Now, we're asking: What comes next?

Real change happens through the everyday choices we make. Our issue sheets offer practical resources and reflection questions to help you take action on:

✅ Increasing the value and protections of dance workers
✅ Addressing financial sustainability for workers and organizations
✅ Advancing justice, equity, accessibility, and inclusion

Inside, you'll find guidance on topics like pay transparency, accessibility, and more.

Together, we can keep building the dance field we deserve.

🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/Oblm50ZmYnZ

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This year, our dance community came together through to advocate for a more just and thriving dance ecosystem.

Because of your collective action, we helped achieve meaningful wins for dance workers and the broader cultural sector, including:

✨ Securing the largest arts and culture budget in New York City history for the second consecutive year, including a $10 million increase to baseline funding.
🎨 Winning $4.05 million for arts instruction in NYC public schools.
🏠 Advancing affordable housing legislation for artists at both the city and state levels.
🤝 Mobilizing 93 dance workers to join the Action Crew.

These victories strengthen support for dance organizations, expand access to arts education, and keep the needs of dance workers at the center of public policy conversations.

Whether you contacted your elected officials, joined us at a rally, participated in an event, or simply stayed engaged throughout the campaign, thank you. Every action helped move our field forward.

While this year's campaign is coming to a close, our work continues. Learn more, stay connected, and find ways to stay involved at Dance.NYC/OurNYCDance.

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As a reminder: Dance/NC is taking Summer Fridays! We will be out of office and on the beach on Fridays beginning this week, July 3, and through August 28.

Rest is part of the work, and this summer, we're making it official. 🌞

Dance/NYC will observe Summer Fridays from July 3 through August 28, 2026. Our office will be closed every Friday during this period so our team can recharge and return ready for the work ahead.

Monday through Thursday, we're fully available. Emails sent on Fridays will be answered the following week, and you can always find resources and FAQs at Dance.NYC.

However you're spending your summer, we hope it includes some rest. ☀️

Image: Orange background. In the bottom right corner, a graphic of a sun with sunglasses on. White text reads ‘Dance/NYC will be closed for Summer Fridays in July and August.

Our June Dance Worker Digest is here and it covers:
- The finalized New York State budget and its impact on arts funding
- A new SAG-AFTRA contract extending union protections to choreographers
- A new affordable housing lottery for dance workers in Hell's Kitchen
- Findings from Ballet Collective's Creators in Dance Summit on the conditions of choreographic work

Review the Digest in full at bit.ly/DWD06_26.

Image descriptions: All images consist of a gradient pink to red with white text and a photo overlay that matches the text. Images 2-5 have ‘Dance Worker Digest’ and the Dance/NYC logo at the bottom.

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Healthcare should be accessible to every dance worker.

Join us on Wednesday, June 24, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET on Zoom for a Field-Wide Call on healthcare advocacy, with guest speakers on the front lines of this work:

- Melanie D'Arrigo, Executive Director, Campaign for New York Health — on building momentum for universal healthcare in New York
- Andrea Gordillo, Chief of Staff, Freelancers Union — on portable benefits and what they mean for cultural workers
- Jonathan Gray, Director of Member Benefits, Freelancers Union — on healthcare resources available to independent workers today

No one should have to choose between their health and their art. bit.ly/DNYCFWC to register.

Image: Background photo of healthcare workers joining hands. White text reads ‘Field-Wide Call. Wednesday, June24, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Healthcare Advocacy for Dance Workers. This Week!’ In the bottom left, a closed captioning icon and a we**am icon.

Rest is part of the work, and this summer, we're making it official. 🌞

Dance/NYC will observe Summer Fridays from July 3 through August 28, 2026. Our office will be closed every Friday during this period so our team can recharge and return ready for the work ahead.

Monday through Thursday, we're fully available. Emails sent on Fridays will be answered the following week, and you can always find resources and FAQs at Dance.NYC.

However you're spending your summer, we hope it includes some rest. ☀️

Image: Orange background. In the bottom right corner, a graphic of a sun with sunglasses on. White text reads ‘Dance/NYC will be closed for Summer Fridays in July and August.