Groundwork Grant Spotlight – April 2026

As spring unfolds, the 2026 Groundwork Grantees are gearing up to present performance, education, and community engagement work. Learn more about what a few of our grantees have been up to and what’s coming up next! 

BOOT Dance Project

BOOT Dance Project is gearing up for the second annual Break-In Dance Fest, taking place August 6 and 7 at The MATCH in Houston. Built entirely with artists in mind, the festival creates meaningful opportunities for Texas-based choreographers to develop and present work in a supported, professional setting while forging real connections with audiences and fellow artists. From pre-show conversations to post-show gatherings, Break-In intentionally cultivates community and reimagines what a dance festival can look like: transparent, supportive, and artist-centered. The Dance Source Houston Groundwork Grant supports operations and ensures artists are paid for their work.

Houston Contemporary Dance Company

The Houston Contemporary Dance Company has completed its annual Localish performance, which is where Founding Artistic and Executive Director, Marlana Doyle curated 6 Houston based choreographers to present new, smaller works on the company in an intimate setting, with the theme and/ or idea to be based around the City of Houston and its ties to diverse communities surrounding the city.  These artists included Mia Angelini, Lenorris Arnold, Laura Guiteriez, Key’Aria Lockett, Robbie Moore, Olivia Morrow, and Isabella Vik. HCDC had two sold-out performances on February 27th and 28th at the Institute of Contemporary Dance.  

On April 11th, 2026, at 7:30PM, Houston Contemporary Dance Company presented Toward Joy, at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for one night only! This concert will feature a world premiere by Brooklyn-based artist Joe Celej. Celej, who has ties to the Houston dance scene for over 20 years, brings his eclectic dance background to his works, drawing from his long-time career as a performer and choreographer under dance icon Elisa Monte in NYC. The program will also feature “Slump” by acclaimed choreographer and Artistic Director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Joshua L. Peugh. Peugh’s Slump explores the thrilling chaos of courtship and mating rituals through explosive movement and intricate partnering. Towards Joy will be rounded out by “If I Fall…Will You Catch Me?,” choreographed by award-winning artist Tamisha Guy. 

ISHIDA Dance

ISHIDA is grateful for a sold-out run of performances of Rara Avis at Asia Society Texas Center in January and for the overwhelmingly positive audience response and critical reviews. The company welcomed Seetha Kulandaisamy as the new Director of Development to the ISHIDA team. Save the date for their next world premiere, June 11-14, 2026, of waiting / REX at Asia Society Texas Center. 

Open Dance Project

The past few months have been exciting for Open Dance Project, starting with the world premiere of ODP’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, running Jan 20-Feb 8 at MATCH. All the while, they were moving and grooving five times a week in our adaptive dance theater classes with The HUB, Gigi’s Playhouse and Hunter Dance Center; teaching over 75 weekly classes for youth through adults at their home studio, Hunter Dance Center in the Heights; hosting a professional development workshop for 60 HISD dance teachers; and leading Dance Residencies at 5 HISD and Charter schools serving over 430 students. 

ODP hosted their 11th annual benefit, A Midsummer Masquerade” on March 28th at The Petroleum Club of Houston; Bonnie & Clyde April 30-May 8 at MATCH, ODP’s final immersive dance theater production being brought back in celebration of our 10th anniversary; Shortcuts, a concert of original dance theater shorts choreographed by ODP company members and guest choreographers at MATCH, October 23-25; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, based on Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, November 13 at Miller Outdoor Theater.

Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater

On March 14, Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater presented She Moves, an evening celebrating women in dance education, honoring Sanja Korman for her work in PK through 12 dance education in Houston ISD. In April, the company continues its education-focused work, including the Move With Me arts education program with Roberts Elementary School, Dance and Culture Lecture Demonstration Series with Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, and Inside the Process, a choreographic residency with students at Bel Air High School. On April 18, SMCDT will present their Season Finale Performance at MATCH, featuring works presented throughout the season.

Voices of Arts Central

Karina Gonzalez, Founder of Voices of Arts Central, in partnership with the Nebrada Foundation, proudly presents a One-Night-Only performance of  Forever Nebrada. A tribute to the enduring spirit of Vicente Nebrada, a visionary choreographer whose work reshaped the identity of Venezuelan and Latin American ballet. His choreography fused classical precision with emotional depth, transforming movement into a language of memory, passion, and belonging. Born in Caracas and embraced by the world, Nebrada created works that continue to breathe through generations of dancers. More than a remembrance, the performance affirms that Nebrada’s vision continues to move, inspire, and define generations of dancers and audiences around the world.