We value your privacy

Project Mission:

The Local Dance Commissioning Project (LDCP) centers the artistic and professional advancement of the local dance community by providing resources and support to a locally based artist with the goal of serving as a steppingstone for artists to reach the next step in their artistic trajectory. Through LDCP, the Kennedy Center will support the production of the artist's work in our venues (including $20,000 monetary support) and will work closely with each awardee to further advance that individual's professional and artistic goals throughout the duration of the award year.

Award Details:

Kennedy Center LDCP awards are given to local (DMV) dance choreographers to create and present new work at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, Terrace Theater, Family Theater, or Theater Lab in the Fall of 2025 or Spring of 2026.  The Commission Award includes: 

• $10,000 artist Fee 
• $10,000 additional funding through participation in the Kennedy Center's Office Hours Residency Program 
• Marketing campaign support  
• Video capture of your performance 
• Production support  
• Center-hosted private showings for choreographers to share work and receive input from Kennedy Center staff and invited guests

Timeline:

• Round 1 Applications open: Monday, September 9, 2024
• Round 1 Application due: Friday, November 15, 2024 by 11:59pm EST
• Round 2 Notification by: Monday, January 27, 2025
• Round 2 Application due: Friday, February 7, 2025 by 11:59pm EST
• Selection by: Monday, March 10, 2025
• Summer/Fall 2025: Open Workshop or Open Rehearsal
• Presentation: November 2025 - May 2026

Requirements:

All LDCP Projects must: 

• Culminate in a performance lasting 45-60 minutes. 
• Choreographer and majority of performers MUST be local to the DMV-area (DC, Maryland and Virginia). 
• Prioritize ethical payment of all people involved: dancers, collaborators, technical and production support staff.

Audience Engagement:

All LDCP Awardees will be invited to participate in the following engagement or outreach activities to develop dance audiences: 

• Pre-show video or verbal introduction 
• Post-show meet the artist events 
• Potential for other opportunities to share and be part of Kennedy Center programming during your time as Awardee.

Venues:

For the 2025/26 LDCP, we invite you to imagine works that would be presented in the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, Family Theater, or on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer. We encourage you to consider the Kennedy Center’s expanded campus which includes the REACH, as a workshop and activation space. There will be no performances at the REACH.  

Click the link below to view our venues at The Kennedy Center: 

https://www.kennedy-center.org/visit/Tour/

Application Round 1:

The first round of applicants must submit the following: 

• Contact Information 
• Bio & Artist Statement 
• Full project proposal, with proposed project budget
• 2-5 Work Samples, including work samples of collaborators, or studio recordings of what you are currently working on 

Application Round 2:

Applicants that are selected to move forward to the second and last round will: 

• Optional meeting with the Dance Programming team to discuss project proposal 
• Submit any edits to project proposal and budget

All questions regarding LDCP should be directed to: Kennedy Center Dance ProgrammingLDCP@Kennedy-Center.org or call (202) 416-8028