Each year, we present a short, free performance showcasing a variety of dances for an audience of school groups (typically 4th-12th grades), followed by a Q&A with the artists. We seek 3-4 engaging dance works (5-15 minutes long)  in a variety of genres for this performance. 

• The performance will be held in the Van Dyke Performance Space in Greensboro. This space is a large black box theater that seats 200-300. See the venue here. 
• Artist compensation will not be below $500 and typically ranges from $500-$600 for this performance.
• Dances submitted for the Performance for School Groups must be complete (no works-in-progress). Please submit the FULL video of the work you wish to present. If you submit only an excerpt of the dance, we will not be able to adjudicate it.
• Works are selected for this opportunity in a blind review process. Please be sure that the video you submit does not have your name on it (e.g. in the credits of the dance)
• Choreographers selected for NCDF performances are expected to obtain all necessary copyright permissions for music and text.

In partnership with Greenhill Center for NC Art’s exhibit Terra, we will present a short performance in the gallery, featuring live dance and dance film. Terra will be a landscape survey exhibition featuring more than 30 artists. The exhibition addresses the question of what is “public” land, with many of the works depicting parks, nature reserves, public coastlines, etc., and highlighting the diverse communities that shape NC’s landscapes. The Greenhill gallery is located in the Greensboro Cultural Center, and features a large open wood floor broken up with a few pillars. See the gallery here. 

NC Dance Festival will select one artist/company to present a new or existing dance work (preferred 8-15 min) in a gallery setting, performed by local professional dancers. 

• We prefer that this work connect to or echo in some way the exhibition’s focus on land as both place and concept. 
• You may propose a new work for this project, or submit an existing work that connects to the ideas in Terra and can be presented in this setting. 
• This work should feature at least 3 or more performers that will be at least partially selected from an audition class you would teach during our Pre/Professional Dance Intensive, August 15 & 16, 2026.
• At least one open rehearsal in the gallery will be held ahead of the October 2 performance. 
• This performance will likely not involve theatrical lighting or other theatrical production elements, but if you envision specific production needs, please describe those in your application.
• A fee of $2500-$3000 is available, from which you will pay performers and arrange for costumes, music, and props. If desired, you may use costume pieces from Dance Project’s costume closet. 

In addition, we seek 2-3 short dance films (3-10 min) that echo the exhibition’s focus on land as both place and concept. Artists are encouraged to consider whose bodies move freely through the NC landscape, whose stories are visible, and how land holds multiple identities at once.

• A screening fee of $125-$150 is available for each film.
• We request your presence at the October 2 performance, so that you can participate in conversations with the audience.