New York Live Arts

History

New York Live Arts was created in 2011 through the merger of Dance Theater Workshop and The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. News of the merger concerned the New York City contemporary dance scene. This concern was mostly addressed through a series of community discussions and board proposals that presented it as necessary for the organizations' survival. Simultaneous with the merger announcement, the two entities unveiled the New York Live Arts name, noting that the omission of the word "dance" was meant to suggest potential future directions encompassing a wider range of art forms.

Governance and management

New York Live Arts is overseen by an 18-member board. Bill T. Jones serves as artistic director, supported by Associate Artistic Director Janet Wong. Kim Cullen is executive director overseeing day-to-day operations in concert with approximately 25 full-time staff members New York Live Arts' annual budget is approximately $5 million, supported by philanthropic contributions, earned income, and government support.

Major programs

The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company is the largest and most visible program of New York Live Arts. The company, founded in 1982, tours internationally and has long been considered a leading force in contemporary dance. It has been a primary vehicle for Bill T. Jones to realize his creative vision, and is noted for its engagement with political and social issues. The company rehearses at New York Live Arts and occasionally performs there. In addition to Bill T. Jones' programming, New York Live Arts mounts an annual season of performances at its theater that features of a range of artists and companies, presented both independently and in partnership with other organizations. These programs include: Live Ideas, a humanities festival; The Randjelovic/Stryker Resident Commissioned Artist, a two-year residency for distinguished mid-career artists; another residency program known as Live Feed; and Fresh Tracks a professional development program and showcase for early-career artists.

Building

New York Live Arts occupies the basement and first three levels of an 11-story condominium tower. The basement and first level are dedicated to the 184-seat theater, lobby and supporting spaces. In the theater, a high-ceilinged black-box space with a 42 x 30 foot sprung floor abuts a steeply-raked fixed seating area on one side. The second level of the building is devoted to offices and meeting rooms. The third level features two 1,200 square-foot windowed rehearsal studios, also with sprung floors, that can be combined to create a single space.

Selected artists and companies presented at New York Live Arts

• Kyle Abraham/abraham.in.motion
• Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
• Trisha Brown Dance Company
• Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
• Richard Move
• Miguel Gutierrez
• Trajal Harrell
• Meg Stuart
• John Jasperse
• Big Dance Theater
• Molissa Fenley
• Jérôme Bel
• Dianne McIntyre
• Cynthia Hopkins
• Taylor Mac}}

References

References

1. (2011). "The Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company/Dance Theater Workshop". Emc Arts, Inc..
2. (April 26, 2010). "Two Dance Visions in a Creative Pas de Deux". New York Times.
3. (2011). "The Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company/Dance Theater Workshop". Emc Arts, Inc..
4. (December 1, 2010). "Dance Theater Merges With Bill T. Jones Troupe". New York Times.
5. (July 1, 2016). "Reshuffling at New York Live Arts". New York Times.
6. "New York Live Arts: Leadership & Board".
7. "New York Live Arts FY2015 IRS Form 990".
8. (2012). "Bill T. Jones".
9. (1984). "Space for Dance". Publishing Center for Cultural Resources.
10. (March 10, 2001). "Starting a New Building so Dance Can Soar". New York Times.