UBW ANNOUNCES 2023 APPRENTICES AS PART OF THE NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST VAN LIER FELLOWSHIP

Photographed from left to right: Keola Jones, Kashia Kancey, Makeda-Lily Love-Roney, and J’nae Simmons

Brooklyn, NY — March 22, 2023 — With support from The New York Community Trust (NYCT) Van Lier Fellowship program, Urban Bush Women (UBW) is thrilled to continue to provide one-year dance apprenticeships to Black women+. UBW Apprenticeship Program includes a wide range of activities, benefits, and rigorous evaluation to support each artist’s development.

“I have been truly enjoying getting to know each of these artists and witnessing the unique and individual brilliance they each bring into the room. The apprenticeship program encourages the artists to also develop, deepen, and integrate their own creative practice in this learning experience and carry that forward.” — Courtney J. Cook, Urban Bush Women Associate Artistic Director

UBW is thrilled to introduce the 2023 NYCT Van Lier Fellows: Keola Jones, Kashia Kancey, Makeda-Lily Love-Roney, J’nae Simmons.

“What’s really exciting about this apprenticeship program is being able to continue to deepen the relationships with artists who are curious about delving into, honing into, and growing their practice and artistic lens. The apprenticeship program isn’t something that's new to Urban Bush Women. We've been inviting artists into the space that supports and enables them to nurture themselves, their curiosity, discomfort, and find what challenges them being inside of the investigative, exploratory container to take risks and play. It’s important and we are so grateful to have the funding to support the artists to do the work for themselves.” — Mame Diarra Speis, Urban Bush Women Co-Artistic Director

The New York Community Trust Van Lier Fellows will receive a stipend for their participation, one-on-one coaching, and performance assessments, and opportunities to participate in company rehearsals, classes, training, and lectures to enhance their creative and community-building practices. To gain exposure to varying genres and styles, the fellows will receive complimentary tickets to local dance and theater performances In addition, UBW will engage the participants in performance opportunities, including one informal studio showcase and local company performances, when feasible.