Applications Open for Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change 2027

Calling all Performing Artists Developing Original Works-in-Progress: Apply by November 30 for Mark DeGarmo Dance’s 17th Annual Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change 2027, Broadcast via Zoom on Thursdays Feb. 4, Mar. 4, & Apr. 1, 2027 at 7:00 PM ET with the Theme: Borderless Creativity

Mark DeGarmo Dance’s Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change provides an opportunity for the public to view and engage with original performing arts and dance works-in-progress of curated artists. Since February of 2019, including Mark DeGarmo Dance’s Virtual International Arts Festivals for Social Change in October 2020 and March 2021, Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change has featured the work of 624 presenting artists and performers from over 33 countries, 24 U.S. states, 24 time zones, and 6 continents in 45 in-person and live virtual salons. Mark DeGarmo Dance seeks dance artists for the 2026 season on Thursdays Feb. 4, Mar. 4, & Apr. 1 at 7:00 PM ET of its Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change, a showcase of original artistic works-in-progress with facilitated audience response. The 2027 theme is Borderless Creativity.

Performances will be hosted live on Zoom. Curated artists will broadcast their live performances of works-in-progress from their preferred locations and attract audiences; they must have the proven technical and marketing capacity to do so in order to be considered. Rent previous performances (by donation): https://bit.ly/4yz1lBN. Ticketing for the 2027 series will be available in January 2027. Artists’ feedback during the 2026 season include:

“The application form was simple and easy to fill out (which is a relief for artists who are always struggling to find time to be creative amidst the humdrum of life). The communication regarding tech and the expectations during the show itself was extremely clear and timely. The audience response showed their investment in the work and helped guide the future growth of the pieces. ”

“There was a strong sense of community, and a connection to other artists even though they are not in close proximity to my living/working area.”

“Everyone watched my performance so closely. I didn’t expect them to love it so much. I was overwhelmed by the way they talked about and described the performance. This is the kind of audience every artist hopes for.”
“Very insightful, I gained clarity as to where the audience’s attention is drawn.”

Australian researchers in creativity, education, and the arts published a 2024 article about their experiences of Mark DeGarmo Dance’s Salon Performance Series 2019. https://njdrama.scholasticahq.com/article/92748

About MDD’s Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change
Founded in 2010, Mark DeGarmo Dance’s Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change is a unique forum to develop works-in-progress facilitated by dancer, choreographer, writer, and researcher Dr. Mark DeGarmo to support and present under-resourced and under-recognized performing artists in New York City & State, U.S., and globally. Mark DeGarmo Dance encourages Asian American, Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Latinx, and others, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, 50-plus, and others to apply. SPS provides a facilitated opportunity for the general public to view, engage with, and demystify the creation of original dance and movement works-in-progress of emerging, mid-career, and established artists. The program began in 2010 when DeGarmo hosted salons in his studio theater at The Clemente Center in New York City’s Lower East Side to create via ongoing public sharings his acclaimed 60-minute Las Fridas: A Movement Installation and Offering, an offering for the Days of the Dead about the life, loves, traumas, and art of Mexican painter and revolutionary Frida Kahlo.

Programs are supported, in part, by private and public funds from American Online Giving Foundation; Jody and John Arnhold; Benevity; Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation; Bernheim Foundation; Blackbaud Giving Fund; Lisa and Dick Cashin; PJ and Dawn Dearden; Rev. Dr. Lindley DeGarmo and Sarah Finlayson; Marianne Egri and David Thomas; Friends of Mark DeGarmo Dance; Jill Ganey; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Lara and Darius Mehraban; The Kyle J. Mulrooney Foundation; Mental Insight Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; Network for Good; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; New York City Department of Education; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; Lindsay O'Reilly; PwC Charitable Foundation; Religious Society of Friends; The Rothfeld Family Foundation; Ruth and Seymour Klein Foundation; and Barbara Sherman.

Requirements

VSPS is a showcase of original artistic works-in-progress featuring facilitated audience response. Artists selected to participate will present a live excerpt of up to 10 minutes from a work-in-progress, participate in a 10-minute facilitated audience response, and help promote the series.

The application asks artists to provide information about themselves and their work, including an artist bio, resume, work-in-progress description, a video link to the proposed work or previous work, and information about their goals and plans for audience engagement and promotion.

The series will be broadcast live via Zoom on Thursdays, February 4, March 4, and April 1, 2027, at 7 PM ET.

Applications are free and must be submitted by November 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

Application Instructions

Apply now via Google Form: https://forms.gle/Mq5qZUEHU67Q9jgN8
Deadline: November 30, 2026, 11:59PM ET.