National Performance Network

National Performance Network. The National Performance Network is a leading national arts service organization dedicated to supporting the creation and touring of contemporary performing arts across the United States. Founded in 1985, it fosters a decentralized network of presenters, artists, and communities to facilitate meaningful cultural exchange and artistic innovation. Its programs provide critical financial, administrative, and developmental resources to a diverse ecosystem of creators and organizations.

History

The organization was established in 1985 by a consortium of arts presenters seeking to create a more equitable and responsive system for touring contemporary performance art and dance. Its early growth was influenced by broader cultural movements and funding initiatives from entities like the National Endowment for the Arts. A pivotal moment occurred in 2005 when, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the organization relocated its headquarters from Philadelphia to New Orleans, aligning its operations with community revitalization efforts in the Gulf Coast region. This move underscored a deepening commitment to cultural equity and supporting artists in under-resourced communities, shaping its subsequent strategic direction.

Mission and programs

The core mission is to advance racial and cultural justice through the arts by building power and possibility for artists and communities. Its flagship program, the **Performance Residency Program**, provides direct support for the creation and touring of new work, often involving multi-week residencies at partner venues like P.S. 122 and Walker Art Center. The **Visual Artists Network** extends this model to time-based and new genre visual arts. Additional key initiatives include the **Artist Engagement Fund**, which supports community interaction, and the **Dance Advance** program, focused specifically on the dance field. These programs are designed to foster long-term relationships rather than single engagements, emphasizing sustainable artistic practice.

Member organizations

The network comprises over 150 Partner organizations spanning the United States and its territories, representing a wide geographic and cultural spectrum. Notable members include major institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and the New York Live Arts, alongside vital community-based centers like Pregones Theater in Puerto Rico and Northwest Film Forum in Seattle. This diverse coalition also includes university presenters like the University of Texas at Austin and culturally specific organizations such as The Theater Offensive in Boston. Membership is contingent on a commitment to the network's values of equity and a participatory governance structure.

Funding and impact

The organization operates with funding from a mix of private foundations, government agencies, and individual donors. Major supporters have historically included the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, alongside continued public support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Its impact is evidenced by its support for thousands of artists, including luminaries like Ralph Lemon and Taylor Mac, and its role in premiering significant works that later tour internationally. The network is also recognized for its field-building research and advocacy, influencing national conversations on arts funding and equitable practice within organizations like Grantmakers in the Arts.

Leadership and governance

Governance is provided by a Board of directors composed of artists, presenters, and community leaders from across the network, ensuring national representation. The executive leadership has been instrumental in shaping its vision; Michele M. Pearce has served as Executive Director since 2019, following the tenure of MK Wegmann. Key artistic direction and programmatic strategy are further guided by a national staff and various advisory councils, including panels of peer artists and organizers. This structure emphasizes shared leadership and accountability to the network's core principles of decentralization and community self-determination.

Category:Arts organizations based in the United States Category:Performing arts organizations Category:Organizations based in New Orleans