Dance/NYC Names Raquel Du Toit as New Executive Director to Lead 2026 Strategic Vision
Our take
The appointment of Raquel Du Toit as the new Executive Director of Dance/NYC is a significant turning point for the organization and the dance community at large. Starting on January 26, 2026, Du Toit will lead Dance/NYC into a new era that emphasizes sustainability, collective care, and long-term support for the dance field. This focus is not just timely but necessary, especially as we navigate a world that increasingly demands a balance between art and environmental consciousness. The strategic vision she will oversee aligns with broader societal trends emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices across all sectors, including the performing arts. As seen in events like the upcoming Summer for the City, which showcases dance as a vital part of cultural expression, Du Toit’s leadership could catalyze meaningful change within the dance community.
Du Toit’s commitment to collective care resonates deeply with the current climate within the arts. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the fragility of many arts organizations, leaving them vulnerable to the pressures of economic instability and shifting audience engagement. By integrating collective care into Dance/NYC’s mission, Du Toit is not only addressing these challenges but also fostering a culture of support and resilience among dancers and organizations alike. This approach is vital for retaining talent and ensuring that artists feel valued and supported in their journeys. It speaks to a larger movement within the arts that champions mental health and well-being, as highlighted in the recent book review of Gavin Larsen and Gene Schiavone’s Infinite Steps: Thirty-three Dancers and Their Lives in Ballet, which emphasizes the human stories behind the artistry.
Moreover, Du Toit’s arrival at Dance/NYC coincides with a renewed clarity of purpose within the organization, as it embarks on implementing its newly adopted Five-Year Strategic Plan. This plan reflects a necessary evolution in how we perceive and support the arts, particularly in light of the challenges faced over the last few years. The emphasis on long-term support is crucial for developing an infrastructure that can withstand future adversities, ensuring that the dance community not only survives but thrives. The arts have always been a reflection of society, and as we shift towards a more sustainable and caring future, it is essential that our organizations reflect those values.
As we look forward to Du Toit’s leadership, one must ponder what this means for the future of dance outside of New York. Will other cities and regions take note of this progressive approach and adapt similar frameworks that prioritize sustainability and collective well-being? The dance community is a microcosm of society, and as Du Toit leads Dance/NYC into this exciting new chapter, the ripple effects could inspire other organizations to rethink their missions.
In summary, Raquel Du Toit’s appointment as Executive Director of Dance/NYC is not just a leadership change; it symbolizes a shift in how we view the intersection of art, sustainability, and community care. As we anticipate the implementation of the Five-Year Strategic Plan, we should also reflect on how these themes can resonate across the broader dance landscape. The future of dance is bright, but it depends on our collective efforts to nurture and support it. How will we respond to this call for change?
On January 26, 2026, Dance/NYC will welcome Raquel Du Toit as Executive Director, ushering in a pivotal era grounded in sustainability, collective care, and long-term support for the dance field. Moving into the role at a moment of renewed clarity and purpose, Du Toit will steward Dance/NYC’s mission as the organization embarks on the implementation of its newly adopted Five-Year Strategic Plan.
Raquel Du Toit is a Mexican-American cultural worker, performance artist, curator, and mother whose practice seamlessly blends creative vision with strategic leadership. For more than a decade, she has spearheaded and sustained innovative programs across nonprofit arts organizations, museums, and galleries, reaching public, community-based, and virtual audiences.
She joins Dance/NYC from The Kitchen, a pioneering New York City experimental arts institution centered on artist-driven practice. In her leadership role there, she strengthened the organization’s financial foundation, securing over $3 million in government and foundation grants to support open, equitable, and accessible creative spaces and programs that directly serve underserved communities.
Her curatorial and programmatic achievements include launching an international residency for women artists and co-founding a photography initiative for Indigenous girls in Chiapas, Mexico, in partnership with the Lower East Side Girls Club. At the Children’s Museum of the Arts, she developed vital virtual arts education offerings, including Kidzzcast, a NYSCA-funded broadcast series combining music, movement, and art-making, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also served as Board President of Grace Exhibition Space, a Lower East Side performance art venue that hosts artist residencies and performance festivals in Upstate New York.
As an artist, Raquel’s work has been presented at the Queens Museum, the Bronx Museum, and in projects across New York, Chicago, Detroit, Mexico City, London, and Berlin. She holds an MFA in Photography from Pratt Institute and a BFA in Photography Arts and Women’s Studies from Pacific Lutheran University. Her work, whether in the gallery, on the dance floor, or in the development office, reflects a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and building the financial and structural foundations for sustainable artistic futures. She joins Dance/NYC with experience that will guide the organization’s next phase of programmatic development, partnership-building, and cultural advocacy.
“It is a profound honor to lead an organization that has long been a guiding force for the dance field in New York City and across the country,” said Raquel Du Toit. “Dance/NYC’s commitment to justice, equity, and inclusive care for dance workers is both powerful and necessary in this moment. I come to this work shaped by community, resilience, and the belief that our collective care is a powerful act of transformation. I am excited for learning deeply, moving with intention, and dreaming forward together toward a vibrant and courageous 2026.”
This most recent leadership transition reflects an evolution that has been years in the making. With a fierce commitment to self-examination and an awareness of the organization’s responsibility to the dance field, Dance/NYC has approached leadership intentionally—experimenting with models that emphasize collaboration, accountability, and transparency. Past models, including a Co-Executive Director structure, have yielded essential insights into sustainable leadership practices.
The move to a singular Executive Director model puts many of these learnings into practice, rooting leadership in clarity and staff support. As part of this structure, Dance/NYC will soon appoint a Director of Programming & Operations, a key leadership partner who is expected to begin at the end of the first quarter. This pairing will support long-term stability while ensuring leadership capacity aligns with organizational values and field needs.
Dance/NYC will be continuing this journey in partnership with the dance field. For more information, visit https://www.dance.nyc/
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