Dance New Amsterdam to Vacate Studio Next Month

Dance New Amsterdam, the troubled nonprofit, will vacate its Manhattan dance education and performance center next month after failing to make its September rent payment.

Landlord Fram Realty will let Dance New Amsterdam, or DNA, remain in its studio at 280 Broadway through Oct. 14 under a deal that DNA’s bankruptcy judge approved on Friday. The landlord also agreed to consider any proposals from DNA to stay in the studio, court papers show.

Just a few weeks ago, DNA announced it had raised the $50,000 it needed to avoid an immediate shutdown. But it still hasn’t been able to secure the long-term partnerships or substantial donations that are essential to its long-term viability. That’s why even as DNA continues to search for ways to continue supporting and educating dancers and other artists, it may need to close permanently once it vacates its studio.

“We continue to work devotedly to find a way to support our constituents regardless of where we work, dance, teach, create and perform,” DNA executive director Catherine Peila said Monday in a statement. “We are keeping the lines of communication open between teachers, students, artists, our peers and community supporters while looking for ways to keep programs alive.”

Dance New Amsterdam, founded in 1984, filed for Chapter 11 protection in May. The studio offers a range of dance classes as well as workshops, art exhibits, performances and an artists-in-residence program.

Like other arts organizations, DNA has had to confront declining donations amid the economic downturn. But the nonprofit has faced one challenge after another with regard to its 2006 move to, and renovation of, its 25,000-square-foot facility in lower Manhattan.

Write to Jacqueline Palank at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @PalankJ.