Candace Thompson-Zachery, Co-Executive Director Dance/NYC: Advocacy, Opportunity and the Future, The Findings of State of NYC Dance 2023 Report

"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest Candace Thompson-Zachery

In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey , join host Joanne Carey as she speaks with Candace Thompson-Zachery, co-executive director of Dance NYC, about the organization's mission, the challenges facing the dance industry, and the findings of the recent State of NYC Dance 2023 report. While they discuss the importance of advocacy, the impact of the pandemic, and the financial struggles of dance workers and organizations, the conversation highlights the need for greater equity and support within the dance community.

During the conversation, Candace Thompson-Zachery also discusses the complexities of the dance industry, focusing on the freelance nature of dance work, financial challenges faced by artists, and the importance of advocacy for the dance community. The discussion also covers the differences between non-profit and for-profit organizations, the launch of the Dance Workforce Resilience Hub, and the significance of grants and funding in supporting dance initiatives. The conversation concludes with insights on future directions for dance advocacy and the importance of community support.

Dance/NYC is a valuable resource for dancers and the dance community. Check out their website to find out all that is happening in the NYC Dance World and what resources are available- make use of them!

Candace Thompson-Zachery was born in Trinidad and Tobago, now local to Brooklyn, NY, operates between the spheres of dance, cultural production and fitness and wellness, with a focus on the Contemporary Caribbean. She has had an established career as a performer, choreographer, fitness professional, cultural producer, teaching artist, community facilitator and Caribbean dance specialist. In addition to her work in these areas, she leads ContempoCaribe, an ongoing choreography and performance project and is the founder of Dance Caribbean COLLECTIVE, an organisational platform for Caribbean dance in the diaspora that spearheads the New Traditions Festival in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Adelphi University's BFA program for Dance, and has presented, performed and taught at major venues including: Queen's Hall (T&T), John F. Kennedy Center, New York Live Arts, Brooklyn Museum, and The Ohio State University. She was an inaugural member of the Dancing While Black Fellowship Cohort 2015/2016, was an awardee of Adelphi University's 2017 - 10 Under 10 program, and a Dixon Place Artist-in-Residence for fall 2017. As a cultural producer and strategist, Candace has worked with the Dance and Performance Institute of Trinidad and Tobago, WIADCA (NY), Sydnie L. Mosley Dances, Renegade Performance Group, and curator Claire Tancons, for the 2019 Sharjah Biennial. Ms. Thompson-Zachery holds an M.A. in Performance Curation from the ICCP program at Wesleyan University and a certificate from the Executive Program in Arts & Culture Strategy at UPenn. with National Arts Strategies. Of tantamount importance to her is the vital role dance plays in our communities and she is eager to see dance artists of various styles, practices and traditions thrive in New York City.

https://www.dance.nyc/

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“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey

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