Tapestries Choreographic Program
About the Tapestries Program
2026 Applications Now Closed
Tapestries is an illustrious artist development program designed to nurture future generations of dance choreographers as they strive to become professionals in the field. Threads strives to provide a much-needed avenue for emerging choreographers to take center stage in the world of professional choreography. The goal of the program is to change the profile of who receives and is recognized for national choreographic opportunities through a special emphasis on women* and artists of color. After 10 years of success supporting emerging choreographers, the Tapestries program is evolving.
Tapestries will successively expand to 3 tiers, with the Patterns Program launching 2026 to cultivate the nationally renowned choreographers of tomorrow:
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Tapestries Emerging Choreographers Program will commission two (2) emerging choreographers based in either Minnesota or NYC for this special Anniversary Edition of the program. They will be selected by an expert panel of dance/community leaders to create new works for the company’s spring season under the guidance of Artistic/Executive Director Karen L. Charles and additional feedback from their peer choreographers. The program is organized so emerging choreographers experience a professional commissioning process. The time frame, technical support, and ability to work with professional dancers, designers, and mentors provide a unique professional choreographing experience. This immersive program prepares participants for future success in the field.
Questions? Email: Karen Christ Aalgaard, kchrist@threadsdance.org
Video Link: What is Tapestries Emerging Choreographer Program?
To Apply: Scroll down to the Tapestries 10.0 Application & Eligibility section for detailed instructions. Applications are due Friday, October 24th, 2025.
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Tapestries Patterns Program will be piloted this year as part of the Tapestries 10.0 - Anniversary Edition cycle. Patterns aims to support budding choreographers—particularly those transitioning from student to professional. The Patterns Program has been designed to meet the needs of high-potential dance makers deemed not yet ready for Tapestries Emerging Choreographers Program whether it be due to age, experience, or other factors.
Patterns choreographers will receive differentiated supports better aligned to their stage of development, including:
Up to 15 hrs. of subsidized studio rental time
Access to choreographic workshops hosted by Threads
Comp tickets to professional dance performances
Questions? Email: Karen Christ Aalgaard, kchrist@threadsdance.org
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Anticipated launch in 2027—Stay tuned!
*Threads Dance Project recognizes the diversity and complexity of womanhood. If you identify with womanhood or gender-expansive ideas of it, you are welcome to apply. This includes trans and gender-expansive individuals.
**Note: Applications for Tapestries 10.0 - Anniversary Edition & the Tapestries Patterns Pilot Program must be submitted using the same form.
Tapestries 10.0 - Anniversary Edition
Application & Eligibility
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Two (2) Emerging Choreographers will be selected.
Dates of Residency: January 2026 –April 2026 – 3-week residency per choreographer plus feedback and peer review session.
Rehearsals: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 9 AM-12:30 PM in-person at the Threads Dance Nexus in Minneapolis.
Performances Dates: May 1-2, 2026, The Southern Theater in Minneapolis.
$1,600 choreography commission fee to create a new work of up to 15 minutes in length.
Minimum of 2 public performances of finished work.
Costume, Lighting Design, and Music Rights expenses covered. Additional technical support (i.e., music editing, heavy lighting needs, video design, projection, scenic design, hazer/fogger) is at the choreographer’s expense.
A mandatory in-person Introductory Meeting scheduled with the other selected choreographers from 12:30-1:30 PM on January 8, 2026.
Choreographers who live outside the Twin Cities must provide their own accommodations and transportation for full participation in the program.
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Interested applicants must:
Have 2-10 years of generative experience (outside of college programs)
Be at least 21 years of age
Have not had an established company for more than 3 years ORhave not had work professionally presented more than 4 times.
Are a legal resident of MN or the 5 legal boroughs of NYC.
Be available for the entire duration of your residency and tech week (January-May 2, 2026).
Have not been a Tapestries choreographer within the last 3 years.
Choreography proposal is an original new work and is not a previously created work, remount, revival, or new interpretation of pre-existing material.
Attend casting audition for choreographers - 9 AM-12:30 PM on January 8, 2026.
Attend 2 Mandatory peer review sessions.
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All materials must be submitted via the online application form due Friday October 24, 2025:
Resume/CV: 1-2 Page Resume/CV should include past choreographic works, awards and recognitions, and education. Acceptable file types: pdf, doc, docx. Bios are unacceptable. No more than first two pages of submitted resume/CV will be reviewed by panelists.
Choreographer Information
Proposal for Work
Work Samples: Link to 2 – 4 work samples, uploaded to Vimeo or another platform. Full length works are preferred over edited excerpts. One work sample must be of a full-length, completed work. All samples must be video of the applicant’s own choreography. Work Samples should total no more than 20 minutes.
Tapestries Patterns Program
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For Tapestries Patterns Pilot Program, two (2) high-potential semi-finalists will be selected from the pool of Tapestries 10.0 applicants and invited to participate in 2026.
Dates of Residency: January 2026 –April 2026
Space Subsidy: Each Patterns choreographer will be allotted up to 15 hrs. of space at the Threads Dance Nexus. Studio use is designated for choreographers’ research, rehearsal, and/or informal showings of their work during their residency.
Performances: Choreographers are required to host at least one informal showing of their work at the Threads Dance Nexus in Spring 2026.
Choreographers will receive mentorship through choreographic workshops hosted by Threads.
