Dance/USA announces conclusion of Fellowships to Artists program
Our take
The recent announcement from Dance/USA regarding the conclusion of their Fellowships to Artists (DFA) program after 2026 is more than just an ending; it’s a moment for serious reflection within the dance community. For years, the DFA program has provided invaluable support and recognition to artists deeply engaged in using dance and movement for social change – a vital, often overlooked, area of artistic expression. It’s a program that has highlighted the power of movement to heal, to challenge, and to connect, and its absence will undoubtedly leave a gap. We’ve consistently championed the importance of adaptable and innovative studio spaces, as highlighted in [What’s best for your studio? Gerriets highlights Marley floor offerings], and this news underscores the need for creative funding models to support the artists who fill those spaces with meaning and impact. The DFA program was a crucial piece of that puzzle, providing a platform for artists who might otherwise struggle to gain visibility or financial stability.
The decision to end the program, as Dance/USA explains, is likely tied to funding limitations and a shift in strategic priorities. It’s a harsh reality for many arts organizations; sustainability is a constant battle. However, it’s a critical moment to examine *why* these programs, dedicated to socially conscious dance, are often the first to face the chopping block. It speaks to a broader issue within the arts funding landscape – a potential undervaluation of work that isn't purely aesthetic, but actively addresses societal challenges. We've seen incredible examples of this kind of work, like the groundbreaking archival efforts of Rennie Harris Puremovement, as detailed in [Rennie Harris Puremovement launches new digital street dance archive], demonstrating the enduring power of dance to document and preserve cultural narratives. The loss of the DFA program highlights the need for alternative funding sources and a renewed commitment to supporting artists who use their craft to make a difference. The dedication to pushing boundaries, as seen in the world premiere of Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company’s ‘FRICTION’, [World premiere of Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company’s ‘FRICTION’ set for Ailey Citigroup Theater], is something we should be actively nurturing and protecting.
As a dancer, a mother, and someone who prioritizes feeling strong and confident both physically and emotionally, I understand the power of movement. For me, it’s about more than just technique; it’s about self-expression, empowerment, and connection. The artists supported by the DFA program embody this same spirit, using their bodies and their art to amplify marginalized voices and inspire positive change. Their work reminds us that dance isn’t just an art form; it's a powerful tool for social justice, a way to build bridges, and a source of healing and resilience. The absence of the DFA program is a loss for the entire dance community, but it's also a call to action – a challenge to find new ways to support these vital artists and ensure their continued work.
Looking ahead, the question becomes: who will step in to fill this void? Will other organizations develop similar fellowship programs? Will individual donors and foundations increase their support for socially engaged dance artists? Perhaps, and hopefully, this closure will spur innovation in funding models, leading to more sustainable and equitable support systems for artists whose work reflects the complexities and challenges of our world. It’s vital that we, as a community, champion these artists and ensure their voices continue to be heard, because their artistry isn’t just beautiful; it’s essential.
Dance/USA, the national service organization for dance, announces that the Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists (DFA) program will conclude following the end of its current and third round in October 2026. Created in 2018, the DFA program honors dance and movement-based artists with sustained practices in art for social change, and has awarded 86 Artist Fellows from across the United States and its territories. The Round Three Artist Fellows were announced in November 2025, and this cohort will be the final one of the program. The DFA program has been made possible with generous, multi-year support from the Doris Duke Foundation, which will conclude at the end of 2026. Dance/USA has been working in partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation for nearly two decades, a collaboration that has fueled major field initiatives, such as Engaging Dance Audiences (EDA) and DFA.
“The focus of DFA is the artists, and that remains: celebrating the 86 outstanding artists of the program who have committed their lives and work to social transformation through movement and dance. We are deeply grateful to the artists, advisors, and administrators who built DFA together. This work has shown how institutions can hold power differently, how artists shape systems, and what it takes to build more equitable forms of support,” shared Haowen Wang, Dance/USA Director of Regranting.
One of the few regranting programs with an unrestricted financial award available to independent artists, the DFA program supports dance and movement-based artists from across the U.S. and its territories who work at the intersection of social and embodied practices. DFA recognizes the wide variety of ways in which artists engage in social transformation through dance, which often do not fit into established models of arts funding. This includes community-building and culture-bearing practices, healing and storytelling practices, activism and representational justice practices, and more.
As the DFA program concludes, Dance/USA is using this moment to reflect on what DFA has built, and what it reveals about the future of artist-centered funding.
Since 2018, DFA has provided more than $2,727,000 of unrestricted funds directly to artists, along with additional resources. In Rounds Two and Three, DFA expanded beyond funding to support artist-led gatherings, providing paid time for collaboration, rest, and reflection. These spaces were self-directed by the artists, with financial and administrative support from Dance/USA.
Over the course of Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists’ nine years, over 190 artists and cultural workers have contributed their time, expertise, and labor to the program’s evolution. DFA has evolved into a field-recognized model for equitable grantmaking that positions artists not only as recipients of funding, but as co-designers of the structures that support their work. Following the conclusion of DFA, Dance/USA will document and share the program’s learnings and perspectives with the broader arts and philanthropic sectors.
Learn more about the Dance/USA Artist Fellows and their work.
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