New York City, a global hub for dance and performance art, pulsates with creative energy. For dancers and choreographers in this vibrant metropolis, finding the ideal dance studio is paramount for honing their craft, developing new pieces, and bringing their artistic visions to life. However, the city’s competitive landscape often presents a significant hurdle: the cost of rehearsal space.
Fortunately, the New York City Dance Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program, administered by Dance/NYC and supported by the Mellon Foundation, steps in to bridge this gap. This crucial program offers subsidized rehearsal space to dance artists, making affordability and accessibility central to fostering a thriving and inclusive dance community across all five boroughs.
This guide highlights organizations participating in this subsidy program, offering a diverse range of dance studios throughout NYC. Whether you’re seeking a studio in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, or Staten Island, you’ll find options here to suit your needs and budget. These subsidized rates, ranging from just $5 to $10 per hour, significantly reduce financial barriers, empowering dance makers to focus on what truly matters: their art.
Manhattan Dance Studios
Abrons Arts Center
466 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002
For over a century, Abrons Arts Center has stood as a vital space for artistic exploration and creation in NYC. Recognizing the pressing need for affordable and professional dance studios in NYC, Abrons Arts Center, with support from Dance/NYC, offers accessible rehearsal spaces at subsidized rates. This initiative directly tackles financial obstacles, ensuring that dance artists can access quality space to fuel their creative process.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: abronsartscenter.org/rentals
Ballet Hispánico
167 West 89th Street, New York, NY 10024
Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Ballet Hispánico provides state-of-the-art rental spaces perfect for rehearsals, events, and performances. These dance studios for rent in Manhattan boast amenities including hardwood and marley flooring, high ceilings, full-length mirrors, pianos, and on-site production support. Ideal for dance, theater, and musical ensembles, Ballet Hispánico offers a premium experience at subsidized rates through the program.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: ballethispanico.org/studio-rental
Dance Theatre of Harlem
466 West 152nd Street, New York, NY 10031
Nestled in Sugar Hill since 1969, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Everett Center for the Performing Arts offers a haven for dance creation. This center houses four dance studios in NYC, all recently upgraded with sound systems and new dance floors. Beyond rehearsal space, Dance Theatre of Harlem also provides subsidized physical therapy services for eligible non-profit dance companies, showcasing their commitment to the holistic well-being of the dance community.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, contact: [email protected]
Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) – Downtown Art
70 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003
FABnyc’s Dance Block program focuses on preserving the cultural vibrancy of the Lower East Side by offering subsidized dance rehearsal space in Manhattan. Located at Downtown Art, two studios are available, including a black box theater and a loft studio, both ADA accessible. This initiative ensures that artists have access to crucial resources in a historically rich artistic neighborhood.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: fabnyc.org/danceblock
Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center
280 Broadway (entrance at 53A Chambers Street), New York, NY 10007
Gibney has been a cornerstone of the NYC dance scene since 1991, dedicated to providing space for dance creation. With two facilities in Lower Manhattan, including the Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center, Gibney offers a comprehensive performing arts complex. These dance studios in NYC are part of a vibrant hub comprising 23 studios and five performance spaces, all committed to supporting the city’s dance ecosystem.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: gibneydance.org/rentals
Movement Research – 122 Community Center & Eden’s Expressway
122 Community Center: 150 First Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Eden’s Expressway: 537 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10012
Movement Research offers two beautiful dance studios for rent in NYC at the 122 Community Center and Eden’s Expressway in SoHo. These spaces feature natural light, sprung wood floors, and are available at subsidized rates through the program (and NYSCA for Eden’s Expressway). Movement Research provides accessible and well-maintained spaces for dancers, fostering experimentation and development in contemporary dance.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: movementresearch.org/studio-space
New York Live Arts
219 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
Centrally located in Chelsea, New York Live Arts provides state-of-the-art dance studios in NYC available for hourly rentals. These studios are ideal for rehearsals, classes, workshops, auditions, and even commercial ventures. Open daily and easily booked online, New York Live Arts offers a professional and convenient option for dance artists in a prime Manhattan location.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: clients.mindbodyonline.com
Open Jar Studios
1601 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10019
Overlooking Times Square, Open Jar Studios offers 22 column-free dance studios for rent in Manhattan, ranging from expansive spaces to intimate vocal rooms. With 12 accessible, windowed studios featuring sprung Marley flooring, pianos, and more, Open Jar Studios is dedicated to artistic creation and artist cultivation, providing top-tier facilities at subsidized rates.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: openjarstudios.com/studios
PMT Dance Studio
28 West 25th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10010
Located in the Flatiron District, PMT House of Dance has been providing equitable and affordable dance studio space NYC since 2001. With ADA compliant studios and a personalized booking approach, PMT offers a variety of options to suit individual artist needs. Through the Dance/NYC subsidy program, PMT continues to support the dance community by offering space at just $10 per hour.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: pmthouseofdance.com/rentals
Brooklyn Dance Studios
CPR – Center for Performance Research
361 Manhattan Avenue, Unit 1, Brooklyn, NY 11211
CPR – Center for Performance Research in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is dedicated to supporting the development of new work in contemporary dance and performance. CPR provides affordable dance studios in Brooklyn and performance space, alongside creative and professional development support. Through its Subsidized Space Rental Program, CPR ensures artists can access flexible studios at affordable rates, contributing to a vibrant artistic community.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: cprnyc.org/rentals
Dancewave
182 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Dancewave in Brooklyn offers supportive and empowering dance experiences, focusing on social, emotional, and cognitive development through movement. Their 1,400 sq foot dance studio in Brooklyn is ADA compliant and LEED-gold certified, providing numerous accessibility features. Dancewave fosters an inclusive environment where dance is celebrated as a healing and community-building art form.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: dancewave.org/studio-rental
Mark Morris Dance Group
3 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
The Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) in Brooklyn, since opening its Dance Center in 2001, has been committed to reducing barriers to quality dance rehearsal space in Brooklyn. Serving hundreds of renters annually, MMDG offers eight professional studios, including a Priority Access opportunity for BIPOC artists. They also provide extensive free and low-cost training and professional development opportunities for dancers and musicians, enriching NYC’s creative economy.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: markmorrisdancegroup.org/dance-center/space-rental/
The Floor
310 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Founded in 2017, The Floor in Brooklyn offers studio space for artists and movement instructors, fostering a supportive community. Their main 1100 square-foot dance studio for rent in Brooklyn is equipped with mirrors, a sound system, and wood floors, ideal for rehearsals, showings, and workshops. The Floor is committed to providing resources and care within the dance community.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: theflooronatlantic.com/rentals
Queens Dance Studios
Green Space
37-24 24th Street, Suite 211, Long Island City, NY 11101
Green Space in Long Island City, Queens, home to Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, is a cultural hub offering an affordable and welcoming environment for dance. Their spacious 1800 square-foot dance studio in Queens and performance venue serves as an incubator for dancers, choreographers, teachers, and community members. As a 24/7 resource, Green Space is dedicated to making dance accessible to all.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: greenspacestudio.org/space
TOPAZ ARTS
55-03 39th Avenue, Woodside, Queens, NY 11377
TOPAZ ARTS in Woodside, Queens, provides a 2,500 sq. ft. creative development space founded by artists. Their dance studio for rent in Queens offers subsidized rates and features a radiant-heated floor, skylight, mirrors, and audio/video equipment. TOPAZ ARTS focuses primarily on contemporary dance rehearsals, fostering artistic growth in a comfortable and well-equipped environment.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: topazarts.org/artist-services
Bronx Dance Studios
Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center
3415 Olinville Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467
Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in the Bronx has been serving the arts community since 1978, offering incredibly affordable dance studios in the Bronx at just $5/hour. With large, light-filled studios equipped with sprung wood floors, barres, and pianos, Mind-Builders makes dance accessible. They also offer extensive free and subsidized classes in various arts disciplines, enriching the Bronx community.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: mind-builders.org/contact/space-rental.html
Hi-ARTS
215 East 99th Street, New York, NY 10029 (Technically Manhattan, but listed in original under Bronx – Keeping original listing for accuracy)
Hi-ARTS, based in Harlem, is a cultural hub dedicated to supporting artists within Hip-Hop and urban aesthetics. While listed in the original article in a way that might suggest Bronx location (it’s in Manhattan/Harlem), Hi-ARTS provides dance studio space in NYC through residencies and programming. They empower artists to develop new work and engage with the community, fostering innovation and cultural impact.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: hi-artsnyc.org/space-rentals
Staten Island Dance Studios
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace, Building G, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301
The Dance Center at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Staten Island offers state-of-the-art dance studios on Staten Island. Located within an 83-acre historic campus, the Dance Center provides expansive studios with hardwood or Marley flooring, natural light, and access to amenities. Snug Harbor offers a unique and inspiring setting for dance creation and related programming.
To book subsidized rehearsal space, visit: snug-harbor.org/dancecenter
Conclusion
The New York City Dance Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program, and the organizations participating, are vital resources for the NYC dance community. By providing access to affordable dance studios in NYC, this program ensures that financial constraints do not hinder artistic development. Whether you are looking for dance studios for rent in Manhattan, Brooklyn dance studios, or spaces in other boroughs, these subsidized options empower dancers to create, rehearse, and thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic cultural centers. Explore these incredible spaces and take your next step in dance creation!
