Subsidized Rehearsal Space Program

For Independent Dance Artists and Companies

The Mark Morris Dance Group’s (MMDG) Subsidized Rehearsal Space Program (SRSP) aims to reduce barriers to accessing high-quality rehearsal space for independent dance artists and companies based in New York City. MMDG receives funding that allows us to reduce the hourly rental fee for dance rehearsal space to $10. 

This program is core to our mission. Since opening the Dance Center, MMDG has provided subsidized rehearsal space to dance artists and companies. 

Accessing this rate is simple- no application required. Qualifying artists will be automatically offered the rate. 

If you are not an independent dance artist or company, learn more about our discounted rehearsal rates for non-profit organizations.


General Access Renter

Qualifying artists/companies will have access to:

  • Rehearsal space for $10/hr, which can be booked up to TWO months in advance.
    • Additional months will open on the 1st of each month.
    • All bookings have a 2-hour minimum. 
  • Up to 200 hours of subsidized rehearsal space hours per calendar year.

To qualify, you will need to be:

  • An independent dance artist or company
  • Using space for a dance rehearsal
  • Have an annual budget under $1 million
    • We understand that many independent dance artists and companies have budgets under $1 million. This metric allows us to ensure that subsidized rehearsal space is going to those who need it most. Non-profit artists and companies with budgets over $1 million pay the non-profit rate for rehearsal space ($20-$40/hour)

Priority Access Renter

Our Dance Center’s Priority Access program focuses on engaging and supporting BIPOC artists and companies. 

As part of our commitment to undoing systemic racism in the dance community, we acknowledge our own privilege around access to space and resources and are committed to prioritizing and sharing these with BIPOC artists. 

Applications for the 2023 year are now open. Applicatin closes on November 1, 2023.

Apply Here

Qualifying artists/companies will have access to:

  • Rehearsal space for $10/hr, which can be booked up to THREE months in advance.
    • Additional months will open on the 1st of each month.
    • All bookings have a 2-hour minimum. 
  • Up to 200 hours per calendar year of priority access to space.
  • $2 off discount to drop-in classes for all dance rehearsal participants the day of your rehearsal
  • Access to free, ongoing professional development training and performance opportunities

To qualify, you will need to be:

  • A dance artist/company who identifies as BIPOC
  • An independent dance artist/company with an annual budget under $1 million
  • Using space for dance rehearsal/creation of work

 Priority Access Timeline:

  • Sep 1                 Priority Access Application opens
  • Nov 1                Priority Access Application closes
  • Dec 15 Participants are notified of acceptance and can begin booking space
  • Jan 1                 Priority Access Cohort begins
  • Jan 1                 Space for Rehearsal Renters opens

Please Note: Only those who meet the qualifications listed above will be considered. We plan to accept up to 15 Priority Access Renters per term. Should we receive more than 15 applicants, we will draw 15 from the qualified applicants by lottery.


Tag us in your rehearsal photos and videos from the Dance Center!

Instagram and Twitter: @markmorrisdance

Facebook: @markmorrisdancecenter

#rehearsalspaceprogram

Please mention us in your program!

“This piece was created/rehearsed through access to subsidized rehearsal space at the Mark Morris Dance Center.”


This program is supported, in part, by Dance/NYC’s New York City Dance Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program – made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the Marta Heflin Foundation, in addition to our enthusiastic international community of individual donors.


If you are not a dance artist, please inquire about our discounted rehearsal rates for non-profit organizations.