“A Space to Create, A Community to Thrive.”
The LEIMAY Incubator Program is a self-directed opportunity designed to support a local community of movement-based artists by providing dedicated studio space for artistic exploration, creative development, and regular practice. Prioritizing BIPOC makers, the program offers free access to a dance studio, fostering a supportive environment for independent research and exchange. Artists receive studio time scheduled in alignment with their creative process, along with amplification of their work through LEIMAY’s social media and newsletters. This initiative cultivates a space for artists to deepen their practice, share ideas with peers, and engage in an evolving dialogue within the field of live arts. Through the Incubator Program, LEIMAY continues its commitment to nurturing experimental art-making, sustainability, and collective growth.
This cohort welcomes those seeking an intensive 10-week period during the upcoming spring.
INCUBATOR PROGRAM ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:
- Up to 60 hours of regular studio use between February 02 – April 10th according to the mutually agreed upon schedule set at the time of acceptance to the program.
- Amplification of activities during Incubator-time in LEIMAY social media channels & newsletters.
- A platform to exchange practices and ideas with peers.
Five Incubators will be selected.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Application is open for individual dancers, choreographers, performance artists, actors, directors working solo or with a group of up to 3 regular collaborators.
- Priority will be given to BIPOC artists.
- A limited number of slots are reserved for artists living in District 33.
ELIGIBILITY & EXPECTATIONS:
- Participants of the program must be dancers, choreographers, or other movement-based, early to mid-career artists with documentation of creative practice.
- Must live in the NYC Metropolitan Area.
- A mutually agreed upon schedule of all 60 hours (in 2 to 4 hour-blocks) will be set prior to the program’s commencement and will remain throughout the program.
- Participants will be responsible for self-management and keeping the studio clean.
- No more than 4 bodies are allowed in the studio per single session.
- Participants will be responsible for self-management and keeping the studio clean.
- Mandatory attendance of one group Meet and greet, and one Closing and sharing studio practice session meeting.
- *Optional* Sit for one artist & creative practice-centered interview for LEIMAY documentation & community spotlights, and will be available for your use.
Participants must follow all studio protocols, including daily sign-in of each individual in the studio, post-session clean-up, as well as those included in our standard studio usage agreements found here.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTE:
Access to CAVE:
(1) step into the entrance, (1) step to the hallways, & (1) step into the studio space.
To request any accommodation, please contact LEIMAY Associate Emilia Winschu: admin@leimay.org
QUESTIONS?
Please contact LEIMAY Associate Emilia Winschu: admin@leimay.org
LEIMAY is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. And the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, The New York Community Trust, and many generous contributions from individual donors.
LEIMAY’s works, community, and coalition programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department Of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre by the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in association with The New York Foundation for the Arts. And by Creative Capital, the National Performance Network (NPN); and the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.
In Person Event
Event Dates Range
Event Dates
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- Important Dates:
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Deadline to apply: September 25, 2025
Application open: August 25, 2025
Applicants will be notified of interview on: October 3th 2025
Program interviews: October 07 & 08, 2025
Final Cohort Selection: October 13th, 2025
Cohort On-boarding Meeting: January 29, 5pm-8pm
Cohort Wrap-up Meeting: April 09, 5pm-8pm