NCCAkron Launches 18-Month 10th Anniversary Celebration
Our take
The National Center for Choreography–Akron (NCCAkron) is marking a significant milestone with its 10th anniversary, launching an 18-month celebration that promises to engage diverse communities through dance research and development. As one of only two national centers for choreography in the United States, NCCAkron has become a vital hub for innovation and collaboration, having worked with over 800 choreographers from across the nation. This celebratory period will encompass public events, research residencies, and national convenings in various cities, including Akron, Houston, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Boston. Events like the upcoming Dance Party Through the Decades highlight the center's commitment not only to dance as an art form but also to community engagement and inclusivity.
This anniversary isn't just about looking back at a decade of accomplishments; it is an invitation to reflect on the evolving landscape of dance and its impact on culture and society. Today, dance is not merely an entertainment medium but a powerful vehicle for self-expression, social commentary, and communal solidarity. As NCCAkron continues to redefine support for dance artists, it plays a crucial role in fostering an environment where creativity can flourish. The ability to bring together thought leaders and artists allows for a cross-pollination of ideas that can lead to groundbreaking works that challenge conventional norms. This ethos is especially relevant in a world where the arts are often underfunded and undervalued, making NCCAkron's work all the more essential.
Moreover, the emphasis on research and development within the dance community at NCCAkron aligns seamlessly with the broader movement toward body positivity and self-acceptance. The act of dancing itself is a celebration of physicality and individuality, reminding us that our bodies are unique canvases that deserve recognition and care. As someone who passionately believes in the power of feeling beautiful and confident in one's skin, I find it invigorating that institutions like NCCAkron are fostering spaces where the exploration of body image can be a part of artistic inquiry. Events and residencies that encourage this exploration not only empower the artists involved but also resonate with audiences, inspiring them to embrace their own bodies and celebrate their individuality.
As we look forward, it is vital to consider what the next decade will hold for organizations like NCCAkron and the dance community at large. How will they continue to adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by our rapidly changing world? With the increasing recognition of the mental and emotional benefits of dance, there is a growing responsibility for institutions to not just support artists but also engage their audiences in meaningful ways. The conversations initiated through these events can pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse representation in the arts, encouraging everyone to participate in the beautiful, liberating experience of dance.
In conclusion, NCCAkron's 10th anniversary celebration serves as a reminder that dance is more than an art form; it is a profound expression of our humanity. As we celebrate this milestone, let us also commit to nurturing spaces where creativity can thrive, bodies can be celebrated, and everyone feels empowered to express themselves freely. The question remains: how will we as a community continue to support and elevate the arts in a way that reflects our collective values and aspirations?
The National Center for Choreography–Akron (NCCAkron) celebrates 10 years as a national hub for dance research and development. This milestone anniversary kicked off in December 2025, launching an 18-month celebration filled with public events, research and development residencies, and national convenings in Akron, OH; Houston, TX; Memphis, TN; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; and Boston, MA.
Established in 2015 with lead support from Knight Foundation, NCCAkron is one of only two national centers for choreography in the U.S. Nationally recognized for redefining support for dance artists and thought leaders, to date, NCCAkron has worked with 800+ choreographers from 100 U.S. cities as they explore, experiment, and shape the future of the art form. The organization also offers audiences opportunities to experiment with and understand dance through conversations, events, podcasts, and books.
Over the past decade, NCCAkron has invested nearly $3 million in dance artists, performing arts thought leaders, and arts workers. The organization has hosted 105 Research, Creative, Technical, and Dancing Lab residencies for artists across the U.S., in addition to 62 Creative Admin Research Investigative Retreats. NCCAkron has facilitated activities and convenings in Akron, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Albuquerque, NM; Miami, FL; Houston, TX; Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; and Nashville, TN.
Under the NCCMedia umbrella, NCCAkron co-created the NCCAkron Series in Dance, working with the University of Akron Press to publish Artists on Creative Administration: A Workbook from the National Center for Choreography (2024) and Shifting Cultural Power: Case Studies and Questions in Performance (2021). NCCMedia podcasts include the short-form Inside the Dancer’s Studio (Seasons 1-6) and the long-form research series How People Move People (Series 1-4).
“Ten years ago we asked ourselves: what is possible for a center focused on research and development in dance? We set out to redefine creative investment by reimagining how we support choreographers and dance as an art form. By committing time, space, and resources to try things in the studio, pursue new research topics, or have coffee with a thought partner—all with zero pressure for a final product—NCCAkron has strived to create transformational experiences for artists, not just transactional exchanges,” shares Christy Bolingbroke, Founding Executive/Artistic Director of NCCAkron.
“Artists help us process the world around us—something more important than ever—and dance is not some niche art form; it is an intrinsic part of our culture and daily lives. As a connector, cultural matchmaker, and hyperagent for the field, NCCAkron continues to learn as we champion the artists shaping the future of dance.”
NCCAkron is marking its 10th anniversary with an exciting 18-month celebration that continues to champion research, development, and community engagement for dance artists nationwide. The organization will host ongoing research and development opportunities, including upcoming collaborations with Ashwini, Aparna, and Ranee Ramaswamy (Minneapolis, MN); Shamel Pitts/TRIBE (Brooklyn, NY); Michael J. Love (Philadelphia, PA); Yayoi Kambara (San Francisco, CA); and Angelina Ramirez (Tucson, AZ) with Carlos Menchaca (Albuquerque, NM).
Public events remain a cornerstone of the anniversary programming, with offerings both in Akron, OH, and across the country. The popular Dancing Conversation series will feature two upcoming talks: “The Creative Process in Nature” on April 17, 2026, at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm in Akron, OH, and “Aging as Action” on May 7, 2026, at a TBA location in New York, NY. NCCAkron also plans to present Making Moves events in Boston, MA; Memphis, TN; Houston, TX; and additional cities to foster dialogue and connection within regional dance ecosystems.
In Akron, highlights include a special 10th Anniversary Dance Party Through the Decades fundraising event on June 20, 2026, followed by the return of Dance Club: A Social Experiment for Dance Audiences from August through November 2026. The Creative Administration Research (CAR) program continues its investigative retreats, pairing artists Amy O’Neal (Seattle, WA) with Thought Partner Michele Byrd-McPhee (Jersey City, NJ); Deneane Richburg (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN) with Thought Partner Francine Sheffield (Richmond, VA); and Jasmine Hearn (Houston, TX) with Thought Partner Conrhonda Baker (Atlanta, GA).
NCCAkron will host its fourth CAR Learning Journey in Minneapolis-St. Paul in March 2026, culminating in the third National Summit Convening for invited CAR artists and their Thought Partners in Akron from June 20–22, 2026. This three-day national think tank will include the public-facing Dance Party Through the Decades on Saturday, June 20.
Expanding its digital footprint under the NCCMedia umbrella, NCCAkron is launching an artist-centered, artist-driven platform dedicated to telling stories and amplifying voices from dance artists and genres often excluded from the traditional canon. Short-form series Inside the Dancer’s Studio (Season 7) will premiere in Summer 2026, with the long-form serial How People Move People (Series 5) following in Fall 2026. The newest recipient of the Knight Choreography Prize will also be announced in Fall 2026.
These events and initiatives reflect NCCAkron’s ongoing commitment to supporting working dance artists through experimentation, advocacy, and national collaboration. For the latest details and ways to participate, visit nccakron.org.
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