Black Artists Space to Create

The 2026/27 Black Artists Space to Create Residency artists are
Elyse Morris, André Zachery, and Claude “CJ” Johnson

Elyse Morris, photo by Jean Charles Dure; André Zachery, photo by Anthony Artis; Claude “CJ” Johnson, photo by Art Davison

About the Residency

The 2026-2027 artists-in-residence are Elyse Morris, André Zachery, and Claude “CJ” Johnson. Each artist will receive a one-week residency with unlimited access to a dance studio and full living space at Arts on Site R&R in Kerhonkson, NY, as well as a $2,000 stipend. The residency is designed as both a retreat and a space to create without the pressure of developing a new project. Additionally, artists are invited to show work at NDA’s annual Performance Mix Festival.

Founded in 2020, BASC was envisioned by former NDA advisory board member Angie Pittman “as a way to value and amplify the tremendous work that Black artists have historically done and are doing to shape our nation’s imagination, language, and humanity.” 

Artists are selected by an invited curatorial committee of previous BASC artists and New York-based artists. NDA’s motivation in gathering this committee is to transfer organizational and curatorial power to artists of color, and work toward cultivating a more transparent and accessible organization for all artists. The committee selects artists who demonstrate a rigorous commitment to conversation in dance and performance within the communities they are rooted in, in addition to dedication and longevity in practice, performance, and community building.

The 2026-27 BASC curatorial committee: Tatiana Desardouin, Justice Jones, Nathan Trice, Jelani Taylor.

Arts On Site, R&R in Kerhonkson, NY

Previous BASC artists

Press

This project receives support from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, Harkness Foundation for Dance, and generous donations from many individuals.

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