WHO ARE WE?
McKoy Dance Project (MDP) is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) contemporary dance organization rooted in equity, advocacy, artistic excellence, and community care. As an inclusive dance company and service organization, MDP exists to break down barriers to access by amplifying the voices of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and historically underrepresented communities through contemporary performance, education, artist development, mentorship, and public engagement. Led by Founding Artistic Director & CEO Derick McKoy, Jr., the organization uses bold storytelling, cultural dialogue, and artistic excellence to foster healing, belonging, and meaningful social impact.
Since its first performance in 2019—Looking Out: A Stonewall Memorial, created in collaboration with the Opus 87 Piano Quartet—MDP has premiered original choreographic works, produced dance films, and launched initiatives including Collective Voices Dance Festival, Choreographer’s Institute, Black Dance Series, Community Grooves, Tea Talks, and MDP Gives Back. The organization has presented performances and educational programming throughout New York City, including Harlem Stage’s E-Moves Festival and Battery Dance Festival, while serving more than 3,000 individuals and creating paid opportunities for dancers, choreographers, educators, and cultural collaborators.
In 2021, MDP was honored with a special invitation to perform during the nation’s first federally recognized Juneteenth celebration in nearly four decades. Through each project, the organization cultivates spaces where communities can reflect, celebrate, and connect through the transformative power of the arts.
MDP believes artists are not simply performers or makers of work, but human beings whose lived experiences inspire empathy, healing, and understanding. At a time when many cultural spaces are searching for deeper community connection, MDP is committed to building arts spaces grounded in accessibility, resource-sharing, mentorship, and genuine human exchange. More than a performance company, MDP serves as a home for opportunity and a cultural bridge—connecting artists and communities through creative experiences that nurture creativity, belonging, and our shared humanity.
OUR REASON WHY (OUR MISSION)
McKoy Dance Project (MDP) exists to break down barriers to access by amplifying the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities through bold storytelling, community engagement, artistic excellence, and contemporary performance. As an inclusive contemporary dance company and service organization, MDP champions opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to connect and grow through performances, youth and adult education, artist development, and public cultural events.
Our work is rooted in:
- Bold artistic excellence through contemporary performance, original choreography, and innovative collaborations that invite reflection and dialogue.
- Artist development and cultural exchange by creating pathways for choreographers, dancers, educators, and cultural practitioners to learn, create, and grow together.
- Community-centered engagement through accessible performances, educational initiatives, mentorship, and partnerships that strengthen relationships beyond the stage.
- Equity, representation, and belonging by uplifting historically underrepresented voices and fostering spaces where artists and audiences alike feel seen, valued, and connected.
We believe dance is more than performance—it is a catalyst for empathy, joy, understanding, and collective transformation. At MDP, we create opportunities where creativity and community come together to build a more connected and inclusive future.
MDP is Hope. MDP is vision. MDP IS HOME.
