HELP US CONTINUE THE MONTCLAIR DANCE FESTIVAL

Dear Friend of the Arts,

Montclair Dance Festival is a developing annual event that brings together professional dance companies from across New Jersey for a day of performance, community engagement, and celebration of the arts.

More than 800 people attended our inaugural 2025 festival, gathering in Montclair to experience dance from across the state. We brought together youth studios, professional companies, university programs, and independent artists — all on one shared platform. Reactions came from every corner of the community: Carolyn Dorfman, a nationally respected voice in modern dance, described the festival as “an enormous success by every measure… a rare and powerful opportunity to experience a wide range of dance forms in one thoughtfully curated day.” New Jersey Ballet noted that it “brought the statewide dance community together and reached a broader audience,” while independent artist Delise Fusaro shared that “as an emerging creator, being included made me feel visible and supported.”These reactions affirmed the need for a statewide gathering like this — a platform that brings dance into the public eye, supports artists, and unites audiences across styles and communities.

In 2026, we are expanding the festival into downtown Montclair to increase visibility, access, and community participation. To make this growth possible, we are seeking donations large and small. Funds contributed will directly support:

• Production and technical infrastructure

• Artist fees and professional stipends

• Festival staffing and operational needs

Thank you for your ongoing support, and if you are interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship, click here.

With appreciation,
Donna Scro Samori, Lisa Grimes Arndt, and Nell Conway

Freespace Dance is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. EIN # 30 0222571