The Independent Artist/Choreographer membership category is open to professional dance artists not affiliated with an incorporated organization or creating work in a structure other than the traditional 501(c)3 “company” structure. Artists who are affiliated with an incorporated dance company are encouraged to join as a Dance Company member.

Members in this category are invited to actively participate in the Artists Council, a Standing Council with representation and voting rights on the Board of Trustees. The Council provides artistic directors, choreographers and performing artists with a forum to discuss issues pertinent to their unique careers as well as resources and networking for professional development. 

To become a member of Dance/USA, simply fill out our online form. You will be added to our database and begin receiving member benefits immediately. The Dance/USA membership year runs from July 1 to June 30. Dues for new members joining in the middle of the year will be pro-rated on a quarterly basis*. All memberships are renewable annually on July 1 and dues are invoiced during the month of May. Please contact the director of member services with any questions regarding the membership program and benefits, the application process, or dues payments.

Membership Dues: $75/year

*For new members joining in the middle of the year, dues are prorated on a quarterly basis.  Any payment(s) made on membership dues are non-refundable.

Member Benefits

Connections

• Subscription to The Spin—a bi-weekly e-newsletter and the Member Bulletin—a monthly listing of jobs, auditions, grants, and other opportunities.
• Visibility on Dance/USA’s website.
• Quarterly updates on Dance/USA’s activities from Executive Director Amy Fitterer.
• Access to the member-exclusive Independent Artists/Choreographer Google Group*
  

Knowledge

• Access to a variety of detailed statistics and reports from one of the most active and widely-consulted research departments in the field.
• Professional development workshops on a wide range of topics developed specifically for dance artists and professionals held during the Dance/USA's Annual Conference; members receive substantially discounted registration rates to attend all Dance/USA convenings.
• Distance Learning Professional Development Opportunities, including webinars, newsletters and topical coaching conference calls!
• Monthly updates on arts funding and policy issues, including timely action alerts when an important issue needs your attention.

Influence

• Arm yourself with tools to advocate for dance!
  
  • Join our Dance Advocacy Network to increase the sharing of advocacy information, develop tools and resources for effective dance advocacy, and inspire other citizens to advocate for this wonderful art form. If you have questions about the Network, contact our government affairs director.
  • Now that you’re a part of the movement to strengthen dance in America, you need to have your very own pocket-size advocacy resource on dance! Pocket Advocacy is a bi-fold card, the size of a traditional business card, which can be referenced on short notice for quick advocacy facts. To request your Pocket Advocacy today, contact the director of member services.
    
• Complimentary peer consultation letters for foreign artists filing to obtain visas-acting as the beneficiary-from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
  
• Membership in the Performing Arts Alliance, the premiere advocacy organization for the not-for-profit performing arts.
• Representation on Capitol Hill and assistance with scheduling visits to federally elected officials.

Access

• Engage with Dance/USA online by reading From the Green Room: Dance/USA’s eJournal; you too can submit stories and post comments!
• A free associate membership in Fractured Atlas’s Open Arts Network.
• Discounts on Dance/USA publications and Dance/USA mailing list. 
• Discounted hotel rates in 10 major cities through Club Quarters.
• Discounts offered from various partner organizations to attend other conferences, which have in the past included the Arts Reach Arts Marketing and Development Conferences and the Technology in the Arts Conference.