Karen Bernard Projects

Karen Bernard is an interdisciplinary movement-based artist. Often her work represents everyday mundane and extraordinary events. Her newest work in progress, Rheumatic, follows a debilitating disease, Polymyalgia Rheumatic. Inspired by dancing to cover bands in local restaurants, she celebrates the lifeblood of being able to return to movement. From the age of three, she was immersed in dance, with her father, Steven Bernard, a company member of Charles Weidman’s pioneering 20th-century dance company. Growing up in his dance school, performance was not a separate activity but the rhythm of daily life. Bernard has created over fifty works, some of which have been presented in New York City at The Kitchen, Chashama, Center for Performance Research, Dixon Place, HERE Arts Center, Performance Space 122, and Movement Research at Judson Church, and throughout Canada. Residencies include Bogliasco (Bogliasco, Italy) and Emily Harvey Foundation (Venice, Italy). She has received support from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Arts Council, Puffin Foundation, and Meet the Composer. Her handmade book Removed Exposure, in collaboration with book designer gray Frasure/grayproductions, photographer Sheilagh O’Leary and art designer, Alexandra Wixon, was exhibited at Black Madonna show at H.P. Gallery (New York City) and Farm Gallery (Wellfleet, MA) and in the collection of Printed Matter (New York City). Bernard developed programs including EMERGE, Interdisciplinary Artist Residency at Earthdance (Plainsfield, MA) and served on the Earthdance Board; facilitated Fieldwork and was honored to be on the Bogliasco Artist Selection Committee. As a guest teacher she has taught at the University of Tampa (Florida), Alfred University (New York State), School for New Dance Development (Amsterdam) and Trinity (University)/LaMaMa (New York City). Bernard is the Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of New Dance Alliance now in its 40th year. Programs include the Performance Mix Festival, LiftOff residency, and Black Artists Space to Create residency. Her work has focused on building a platform for experimental artists across cultural and national lines. Bernard received a BAX 10 award for her invaluable service to artists in the founding and development of the Performance Mix Festival. She attended the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston, the London School of Contemporary Dance, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Empire State College.

Back to 2026 Artist Roster | Back to 2026 Performance Mix Festival