2020 has been an incredibly tough year for so many in a myriad of different ways, and the performing arts sector has been hit hard. This spring we had to make the obvious and yet tough decision to cancel our annual fall festival in NYC and TX in response to COVID-19. Luckily, we were able to take our suddenly free time to reorganize, and with a little creativity and a lot of passion we decided to forge a new path into the virtual space by offering our annual Ardsley Choreographic Residency at a distance. 

 

The move to a virtual platform enabled us to engage and commission artists, two of which we have presented this Fall, with a third virtual residency being scheduled for March 2021. During what would have been our 2020 Festival week, we were able to provide free Master Classes virtually, making them accessible from around the country and not just in NYC and TX. We are planning a series of Artist Talks coming this Winter and Spring. We are continuing to work virtually for the time being and are eagerly awaiting the time when we can share space and art in person again.  We hope Spring brings some positive change and are working to present the residency artist’s work to audiences in an outdoor setting. 

 

Our virtual Ardsley Choreographic Residency has been a success so far, with Peter Cheng and Annalee Traylor creating two very different works that capture some part of our collective experience amidst quarantine and social distancing. You can see the films they created during this residency HERE and hear what they have to say about the importance of the Ardsley Residency for their work. 

 

While our virtual residency is going well, our organization heavily depends on our performances and ticket sales as our main sources of income every year. So this year, we - along with the rest of the performing arts world - suffered losses due to the impossibility of live performance, which leaves us in a far more precarious position as we look forward to a very uncertain re-opening timeline. Ticket sales and generous donations are what allow us to commission artists, provide residency stipends, offer free master classes, pay our staff, and keep bringing you art. 

 

This season, more so than any year before, we need your support. I hope you will consider making a year end tax-deductible donation to The Dance Gallery Festival, as we remain dedicated to helping sustain the dance community through this pandemic, by presenting and supporting choreographers and dancers, facilitating choreographic residences, master classes, and performance opportunities, and bringing dance to the larger community. 

 

Thank you for your continued support of dance!

 

Sincerely, 

Astrid von Ussar