Next Steps for Boston Dance

Next Steps for Boston Dance is a grant initiative aimed at empowering choreographers and circus artists across Greater Boston by supporting their artistic growth and creative careers. Established through a partnership between The Boston Foundation, the Aliad Fund, and Movement Arts Creation Studio (MACS), the program is currently managed by The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI). With a mission to strengthen the field of dance, the program offers multi-layered support that reaches beyond monetary aid, fostering a collaborative and resource-rich environment for grantees. The grant package includes a combined value of over $12,500 per recipient. Each selected artist receives $5,000 in paid rehearsal space that can be used in diverse venues, and $6,000 in implementation funding to support project creation or career development. Additionally, recipients benefit from five consulting sessions with experienced advisors in areas such as artistic development, technical production, communications, and planning. Cohort meetings further provide a platform for peer learning and mutual support, while alumni have access to extended post-grant support, including follow-up funding, workshops, and expert advice. Eligibility for the program is limited to choreographers and circus artists who have created and presented original work publicly outside of an educational setting within the last three years. Applicants must reside in one of five Greater Boston counties—Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, or Plymouth—throughout the entire grant period, which runs from March 2026 to September 2027. Post-secondary students pursuing degrees in dance or related fields are not eligible. Applications for the 2025–2026 cycle open on October 24, 2025, and must be submitted online by December 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM. The application requires a short-answer narrative, an artist résumé, and two video work samples produced between September 2022 and October 2025. A juror panel will review submissions in February 2026, and recipients will be notified by March 1, 2026. Grant funds will be disbursed in September 2026. The program encourages applications from artists at various career stages and provides help through optional online information sessions, which include guidance on application components and submission procedures. Additional support is available from Program Manager Lila Hurwitz via the program email. Next Steps for Boston Dance continues to foster a robust and inclusive dance ecosystem within Greater Boston.

Review sample guidelines carefully; start early; plan your narrative responses; prepare videos; contact for tech access if needed