Ballet Hispánico announced that it has been named an inaugural participant in Doris Duke Foundation’s Performing Arts Technologies Lab, a first-of-its-kind accelerator for projects seeking to explore innovative uses of digital technology in the performing arts. Ballet Hispánico is one of 20 pioneering artists, technologists, and art organizations accepted into the Lab. The initiative generated widespread enthusiasm, with an open call generating 745 applications from individual artists, universities, presenters, producers and arts organizations in 43 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Through the Lab, Ballet Hispánico will fund the new Innovación Fellowship in Dance & Emergent Technology in partnership with Cornell Tech.
“We are so grateful for the support of the Doris Duke Foundation as our company continues to support the creation of new works by our family of choreographers, ensuring that we are at the forefront of dance and cultural programming,” said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico.
“These aren’t just technology projects. They are ambitious proposals to radically innovate in the performing arts – how they are made, how we experience them, and who they are for” said Sam Gill, president and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation.
Doris Duke Foundation Arts Program Director Ashley Ferro-Murray said, “The over 700 applications we received for this program sent us a clear message: performing artists are ready and excited to push the boundaries of what technology can do. They are asking critical questions about open-source approaches, accessibility and representation. Our goal is to help these innovators do what artists do best—bringing new, powerful experiences to audiences.”
Ballet Hispánico’s Instituto Coreográfico and Cornell Tech’s Backslash have created the Innovación Fellowship in Dance & Emergent Technology to empower choreographers, dancers, technologists, and researchers to explore new ways of activating Latine/Hispanic dance. This fellowship fosters collaboration between the arts and technology, aiming to elevate Latine voices and employ innovative technologies for education and social impact. The fellow will work with Cornell Tech faculty, researchers, and students, utilizing advanced resources to dissolve disciplinary boundaries and enhance knowledge exchange.
