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To commission a dance work by VIA Dance Collaborative means making a tax-deductible payment to support the creation of a new dance work for the company’s repertoire. The commission is for a specific work by a specific choreographer for specific performance or series of performances. The amount of the gift (usually $5,000) is used to help cover the choreographer’s fee, designers’ fees, the rental of rehearsal space, and the wages and benefits (worker’s comp, disability, FICA, etc.) for the dancers during the rehearsal process. We can usually count on ticket sales and gifts from individual patrons to cover the costs of wages and theatre rental for performances, but these funds are hardly ever enough to cover the costs of creating a new work.
Anyone can commission a new dance for any reason. For instance, a commission could be made to in honor of a loved one on a special occasion, or it could be simply because you want to support VIA’s work. You can provide a wonderful service to VIA and the dance world by commissioning a new piece.
Unless you wish to remain anonymous, we would like provide recognition by printing your name on a “commissioned by” line immediately underneath the name of the work in our printed event programs. The credit line includes any special acknowledgements you wish to make (“in honor of,” etc.) The credit line is used not only at the opening performance(s) but also at any time and place that the work is performed in the future.
In addition, because of your special relationship to the company and the new work, you will be invited to one or more of the company’s rehearsals to observe the creative process and development of the piece.
Commissioning may be exclusive (one party per work) or may be shared (“co-commissioning”).
As a commissioner and co-commissioner, you will be invited to a lunch or brunch with the choreographer and dancers. You will also be presented with a keepsake DVD and a special signed thank-you poster of the dance work you helped create through your commissioning gift.
More information on VIA’s commissioning program is available by calling Artistic Facilitator Adrienne Westwood at (917) 232-6785 or Board President Jefferson Westwood at (716) 673-3200. |
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