New York City Distributes $324,000 in Grants to Freelance Dancers Facing Financial Hardship

A new initiative in New York City is set to distribute $324,000 in grants to freelance dancers who are facing financial difficulties. The Dance Workforce Resilience (DWR) Fund, inspired by guaranteed income programs, will provide $1,000 grants to over 320 dancers. This pilot program is led by the nonprofit dance advocacy group Dance/NYC, with funding from the Ford Foundation, New York Community Trust, and other donors.

The grants will be awarded through a weighted lottery system, prioritizing underpaid and unprotected dance workers. Eligibility requires applicants to have completed contracted dance work between January 1st, 2025, and April 30th, 2026. The initiative aims to address the economic disparities prevalent in the dance industry, where dancers earn an average of $22 per hour, which is 15% below New York City’s living wage standard. Additionally, 44% of dancers take jobs without formal contracts, exacerbating their financial instability.

Sara Roer, the interim executive director of Dance/NYC, highlighted the importance of the DWR Fund. She noted that the program is designed to confront the long-standing economic disparities in the dance industry. By linking support to contracts, the initiative not only provides financial assistance but also encourages better labor practices that protect workers from financial and physical precarity.

Applications for the DWR Fund grants will be accepted on a rolling basis from June 18th, 2025, to March 3rd, 2026. Award notifications will be sent out after each month-long application round. This initiative represents a significant effort to improve the financial stability and working conditions of dancers in New York City, offering a lifeline to those struggling in an industry known for its economic challenges.