2021-2022 Press Policy

In continuing our IDEA efforts to combat racism and ableism, DANCE NOW is taking over press in-house and instating a transparent press policy for our 2021-2022 season. As such, we ask that any and all folks that review a DANCE NOW digital or in-person program adhere to the following guidelines:

• Acknowledge race/bias as part of their review-- i.e. if someone who is white is reviewing a work by a BIPOC choreographer, they should acknowledge as such. Similar acknowledgement is expected if the reviewer is non-disabled and reviewing the work of a choreographer or performer who is disabled.

• If the performance features multiple choreographic works, if at all possible, ALL works should be acknowledged in the review. DN understands that reviewers often deal with word count constraints, but not mentioning an artist and their work is erasure.

• Reviewers should treat the art and artists with respect in their language and descriptions; treating their own words as opinion, and not fact; avoiding body-shaming, mis-gendering, and assumptions about cultural, ethnic, or racial backgrounds.

• Writers and their associated publications should be open to public dialogue about their opinions and statements AFTER the review is published; DN will speak publicly if we feel that our guidelines have not been followed or if any other problem arises.

If a reviewer cannot meet our guidelines, and see them as a support to our IDEA goals, they do not need to review DN performances.

Furthermore, DANCE NOW will be focusing on the following changes behind-the-scenes as move our press and media efforts in-house:

• We will ask artists in advance who they want reviewing their work, and how, if at all. Artists will be included in conversations around press and media strategies for their work.

• Research smaller, lesser-known publications that might be more in line with the demographics and communities reflected in the dance community.

• Prioritize that reviewers be BIPOC/AAPI reviewers or from BIPOC/AAPI focused publications, especially as we continue to highlight more BIPOC/AAPI artists.

• Ask artists if they want to be told about reviews when they are posted, after an event, or at all. We will provide artists press or reviews they are mentioned in per their preference.

• Communicate clearly and early our press guidelines and be prepared to engage with reviewers before, during, and after the review process to make sure our expectations are met.

• Manage reviewers’ expectations about the type of show, format of show, and audience  (i.e. digital vs. in person, live vs. on-demand, festival vs full-length, etc).

• Create the easiest access possible for reviewers to events, setting aside a ticket block of ticket comps so that we are open to all avenues of review.

• Create the option for peer review, where DN artists or others in the dance community review other DN performances. DN acknowledges this is only possible if we can compensate artists and if artists are willing and have the capacity to write a review and post it.

If you have any questions about our transparent policy, you can contact:

Grant Jacoby, Marketing + Community Manager, grant@dancenownyc.org