Dance to Belong: A History of Dance at 92NY

Dance to Belong: A History of Dance at 92NY

A Webinar with Exhibition Co-Curator, Ninotchka Bennahum, PhD

For more than a century, The 92nd Street Y New York has been a vital home for dancers, choreographers, and dance educators who helped shape American modern dance. From early pioneers to contemporary innovators, artists have found a sanctuary space here to experiment, teach, and build community, often at moments when few other institutions would open their doors.

This webinar, facilitated by co-curator Ninotchka Bennahum, brings the story of Dance to Belong: A History of Dance at 92NY to life. Inspired by the newly launched online exhibition, the webinar draws from rare photographs, programs, film footage, and archival ephemera to trace how dance at 92NY has been deeply intertwined with questions of identity, belonging, and artistic freedom.

Originally envisioned by Jody Gottfried Arnhold for 92NY’s 150th anniversary, the exhibition gathered these histories into one place for the first time. While the physical exhibition has closed, its cultural legacy continues through this digital archive and through conversations like this one. In this webinar, participants will gain insight into the making of the exhibition, the stories behind the materials, and the enduring impact of 92NY as a cultural home for dance.

Ideal for dance artists, educators, historians, and anyone interested in New York City’s cultural history, this webinar offers a rich, contextual look at how dance at 92NY has helped generations of artists dance not only to perform, but to belong.