Call for Site Specific Choreographer, Dance Instructor, and Performance Producer 2026 Dance in the City presents Echoes in Place: A Site-Specific Dance Experience in Canoga Park

2026 Dance in the City presents Echoes in Place: A Site-Specific Dance Experience in Canoga Park Issued by the Performing Arts Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA|PERF”). I. Introduction The Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA”) seeks to enter into a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with one (1) qualified choreographer/dance artist of site-specific dance expertise to curate, and deliver a family-friendly event, teen intensive workshop, and dance on film production for the Dance in the City Site Specific Project. II. The Division DCA|PERF serves as the heart of the City’s support of live dance, music, theater, and digital media platforms, offering Angelenos low-cost rental opportunities at six professional, DCA-managed, performing arts centers and two public/private partnership theaters.  At the core of its mission, DCA|PERF also produces world-class programming locally, providing catalysts for economic development, community engagement, and civic education and pride. When producing its programming, DCA|PERF uses independent, peer-review panels to select Dance Artists who respond to calls, and who create and present programming across the City. DCA|PERF’s community-focused programming shapes attitudes, counters cultural stereotypes, and inspires creativity. Both DCA|PERF’s programming and rentals at its performing arts centers play an essential role in stabilizing LA’s artistic ecosystem and nurturing the revitalization of our City’s creative communities. III. The Program Dance in the City Site Specific Project: Canoga Park DCA|PERF launched its Dance in the Districts initiative in 2022.  Intended to support dancers living and working in Los Angeles, post pandemic, the initiative was a stimulus project creating online performances with ten choreographers. The Dance on Film Project continued in 2023, with nine new choreographers, an in-person screening and celebration, plus an online gallery.  By 2024, the project moved away from site-specific dance on film to a more thematic approach with seven new Dance Artists and two screenings. Four years past the pandemic, with and updated name--Dance in the City—and a desire to return to its roots in site specific dance, the project has transitioned into a single commission for one Dance Artist who is inclusively a choreographer, dance instructor, and performance producer. Echoes of Place is a multi-faceted, community-engaged dance initiative led by a single artist serving as choreographer, dance instructor, and event producer. This project centers around the creation and presentation of a new site-specific dance work inspired by a historic landmark in Canoga Park, located in the West San Fernando Valley. Blending performance, education, and film, the project aims to deepen public connection to local history through the lens of contemporary dance. The centerpiece of Echoes of Place is the development of original site-specific choreography that explores themes selected by the Dance Artist—such as memory, transformation, or community resilience—rooted in the unique history and physical architecture of a chosen landmark on or near Sherman Way. The culminating performance will be staged live at the site, activating the space through movement and storytelling. In tandem with the creation of the professional work, the Dance Artist will lead a teen dance workshop focused on the principles and practices of site-specific choreography. Participants will explore the site, learn about its history, and collaboratively create short movement studies responding to the environment. This workshop will provide teens with hands-on experience in dance-making while fostering a sense of place and creative ownership. Once the commission is awarded, a representative of DCA and the awarded Dance Artist will set up a meeting to visit the Canoga Park Historical Society to further develop historical knowledge related to the area.  While the proposed idea should be well thought out and creative, it is understood that further development and knowledge of the proposed site and theme may shift this collaborative project between artist and community.  For a quick history overview of Canoga Park go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoga_Park,_Los_Angeles To further enrich community engagement, the project must include a public screening of an original dance on film work, connected in both theme and aesthetics that deepens the events expression. This component will provide educational and aesthetic context for audiences and participants alike, sparking dialogue around the relationship between dance, place, and film. Together, the live performance, teen workshop, and film screening form a holistic artistic experience that celebrates Canoga Park’s cultural and historical fabric while empowering the next generation of dance artists and community storytellers. IV. The Scope of Services Echoes of Place: A Site-Specific Dance Experience in Canoga Park The Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division (DCA|PERF) seeks an experienced and visionary Dance Artist to lead the planning and execution of this performing arts event in Canoga Park located in the West Valley of Los Angeles between the months of May 2026 and July 2026 . Applicants are invited to step into the rhythm of history with Echoes of Place , a captivating site-specific dance experience unfolding at a historic landmark in Canoga Park. This immersive project weaves together a live dance performance, a dynamic teen workshop in site-specific movement, and production of dance film that celebrate the power of place. Through movement, memory, and community, Echoes of Place invites audiences to see familiar ground with new eyes—where the past and present meet in motion. A commissioned Dance Artist will be responsible for overseeing the creative aspects, logistical planning, and on-site execution of the event. The awarded Dance Artist is responsible for the following (including, but not limited to): Identify a final project timeline and secure the necessary permissions for choreography development and rehearsals, the teen workshop on site-specific movement, the filming schedule and location for the dance on film element, and the live site-specific performance.  These can occur in the same space, or in different nearby spaces, dependent on the Dance Artist’s vision and needs. Plan and conduct an audition for dancers .to be held in the Canoga Park area (Dance Artist can use the same dancers for both the live performance and the dance on film video shoot or conduct two separate auditions.) Create a theme for the overall project that connects with the site-specific landmark while also develops and weaves through the three parts of the project: the Teen Workshop intensive on site-specific movement, Dance on Film video production and screening, and site-specific live dance performance. Create, plan, and facilitate a dance intensive workshop for teens on site-specific movement that occurs over a minimum of two days in Canoga Park during the month of May, 2026.  The Dance Artist will be responsible for the related community outreach related to obtaining teen dancers.  The plan, including the size of the teen group, should be proposed by the Dance Artist. Create, plan, and facilitate a dance media film/video shoot and screening of site-specific work that both can stand alone and support the theme of the site-specific live performance. Location is not limited to, but may include, the site-specific live performance location. Stagnant tripod wide shot filming is not permitted, rather the film should be a “duet between the dancer and the lens.” The screening can be a stand-alone event or combined with the site-specific live performance.  The production of the film must be conducted between March and June of 2026, with the screening event scheduled within June or July of 2026. Create, plan, and facilitate a live site-specific evening of dance at the Canoga Park landmark lasting a minimum of 60 minutes.  The event can be either all dance or a multimedia fusion with dance, focused on the theme and site-specific location, and is scheduled for a date within the month of July, 2026. Plan and provide a professional experience for audiences. This includes, but is not limited to, providing a guest check in table, audience seating, printed or QR based programs, and a welcome and/or thank you speech. DCA may be able to offer some collaboration in these areas, but responsibility should be assumed for the purpose of the proposal. Work collaboratively with Madrid Theatre staff and technical crew to define and oversee staging needs , including layout of performance areas, audience space, and gathering zones. Contract production support from reputable vendors for technical elements such as audio, lighting, power, trusses, and staging infrastructure. Arrange and/or confirm sanitation and clean-up services , including trash disposal and portable restrooms, as necessary. Lead all promotional efforts for the event, including social media, flyer distribution, and community outreach. Collect relevant documentation —including the withholding, filing, and depositing of state income and employment taxes as applicable plus issuing of necessary year-end tax documents to Dance Artists and vendors, including 1099s as applicable. And issue payments to temporarily commissioned artists and vendors involved in the project. Maintain records and Submit contracts, invoices, receipts, etc. to DCA|PERF at the completion of the project to close out and receive final payment. Dance Artist must be able to manage budgets, meet deadlines, collaborate with City staff and local partners, and produce safe, inclusive, and culturally resonant public events. V. Fees For the completion of the above services DCA|PERF will pay the all-inclusive commission listed below. 2026 Dance in the City presents Echoes in Place: A Site-Specific Dance Experience in Canoga Park ($7,000) a captivating site-specific dance experience that unfolds and embraces an historic Canoga Park landmark. Led by a visionary choreographer, dance instructor, and event producer, this immersive project weaves together a live dance performance, a dynamic teen workshop in site-specific movement, and a screening of an original dance film that celebrate the power of place. The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. Payments will be made when the Dance Artist meets deliverable benchmarks. The final payment will be made after the completion of the project, the Curator meets all necessary criteria, and may take up to four (4) months to be fully disbursed. VI. Application Process Recipients of 2025-2026 Grants from DCA are not eligible to respond to this call. Only one application may be submitted per Dance Artist. Proposals must include a description of the work to be created, all performance styles of concert dance are welcome. Video samples such as B-roll and/or still photographs from previous, similar events may be attached to submitted proposals. All entertainment and decor must be suitable for audiences of all ages. A complete application consists of answering all the questions below and submitting the required documentation to dca-madridtheatre@lacity.org by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 . The subject line should read Echoes of Place Call. Response proposals must include the following [Rating value]: Contact information for the primary Curator; A 100-word description of the proposed event and the artistry provided to the audience and participants; [20 points] Completion of the budget proposal, demonstrating how Dance Artist intends to utilize the commission funds; [10 points] A 100-word introduction to the Dance Artist’s proposed symbolism and theme for the project and why it matters to them, the community, and society in general; [10 points] Examples of relevant past projects and examples of prior work and pertinent materials in digital formats or web links. [10 points] The highest total score that can be reached by peer-panel review is 50 points. VII. Selection Criteria and Process DCA|PERF will review submitted proposals for completeness and qualifications. Selection for a contract award will be made based on meeting the following criteria: • Responsiveness to the specifics of this call; • Expertise and experience of Dance Artists and/or firm(s) in providing similar services; • Creativity and innovation of past work history. DCA|PERF is seeking a Dance Artists with a history of providing authentic site-specific movement-based work within the City of Los Angeles whenever possible. DCA|PERF also encourages the submission of proposals from underserved and/or underrepresented artists or firms owned by minorities, women, immigrants, and veterans. DCA|PERF does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration of these commissions. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer. VIII. The Fine Print The following terms and conditions apply to all responses to this call: 1. DCA|PERF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted; to select one or more responding parties; to void this call and the review process and/or terminate negotiations at any time; to select separate responding parties for various components of the scope of services; to select a final/parties from among the proposals received in response to this call. Additionally, any project elements, requirements, and schedules are subject to change and modification. DCA|PERF also reserves the unqualified right to modify, suspend, or terminate at its sole discretion any aspects of this selection process, to obtain further information from any responding parties, and to waive any defects as to the form or content of this call or any responses by any party; 2. This call does not commit DCA|PERF to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, or to contract for any services. All submitted responses become the property of DCA|PERF as public records. All proposals may be subject to public review, upon request, unless exempted as discussed elsewhere in this call; 3. By accepting this call and/or submitting a proposal in response thereto, each responding party agrees for itself, its successors, and assigns, to hold DCA|PERF and its affiliated entities, the City of Los Angeles, and all of their various agents, commissioners, directors, consultants, attorneys, officers and employees harmless from and against any claims and demands of whatever nature or type, which any such responding company, its representatives, agents, contractors, successors or assigns may have against any of them as a result of issuing or revising this call, conducting the selection process and subsequent negotiations, making a final recommendation, selecting a responding party/parties or negotiating or executing an agreement incorporating the commitments of the selected responding party; 4. By submitting responses, each responding party acknowledges having read this Fine Print in its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set therein; 5. Responses shall be open and valid for a period of three (3) weeks from the due date. IX.  Schedule Call Issued Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Deadline for Submissions Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Selection of Dance Artist / Contract Awarded Monday, March 23, 2026 Mandatory Echoes of Place virtual meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Term of Contract Begins Monday, May 11, 2026 Term of Contract Ends Friday, July 31, 2026 Proposals must be received no later than 11.59pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 . DCA|PERF is not obligated to consider proposals received after this date and time.