Who
Meet Gibney’s dynamic staff and Board of Directors.
MEMBERS OF THE HONORARY BOARD
Distinguished by extraordinary and sustained commitment to Gibney.
Thomas K. Duane, Former State Senator
Frederica Gamble
Jane Grenier, Chairman Emeritus
Stephen Jacoby, Chairman Emeritus
Kathryn Karipides
Bill Lewis
Rachel & Larry Norton
Pamela van Zandt, Founding Chair
What
Gibney’s mission is to tap into the vast potential of movement, creativity, and performance to effect social change and personal transformation.
Gibney’s vision is to bring together communities working at the intersection of art and social justice to build momentum and catalyze action beyond the studio and stage.
Gibney is a dance company, a performing arts hub, and a social action incubator located in New York City.
Our artistically acclaimed and socially active Company of Artistic Associates performs works by renowned and rising contemporary choreographers. Gibney’s Community initiatives use art to prevent and move beyond violence 365 days a year. We are the steward of two beautiful locations comprising a vibrant performing art Center.
Through expansive programming, we push boundaries, address pressing issues, lift voices, and mobilize the power of movement to transform lives and, in turn, change the world.
Gibney embodies …
Respect – we are considerate, thoughtful, and act with integrity.
Advocacy – we are supportive, principled, and catalytic.
Responsibility – we are collaborative, responsive, and dedicated to sustainable change.
Action – we are resourceful, proactive, enterprising, and resilient.
Equity – we are inclusive and committed to justice, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and diversity.
The values are intrinsic to Gibney and guide how we work together and interact with our core communities.
Inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) are core tenets of Gibney and central to our mission, vision, values, and daily engagement with our community. We are committed to advancing our programming, services, and the dance field at large through these lenses and acknowledge that continued organizational learning and growth are required to do so effectively.
Gibney’s commitments include:
… inclusion is our commitment to making all members of the community feel welcome and represented at all levels at Gibney.
… diversity is our commitment to embracing aesthetics, groups, communities, and individuals of all kinds, no matter their identification by race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion, age, disability, or physical or mental health status.
… equity is our commitment to anti-racism and upholding the fair and just treatment of all members of our community.
… accessibility is our commitment to providing equitable access to our programs, services, technology, and physical space to everyone along the continuum of human ability and experience
Gibney is committed to diversity and anti-racism. We have a critical and urgent responsibility to help combat systemic racism in the cultural sector and commit to:
… distributing power equitably within the organization as a force for sustainable, positive change.
… engaging in ongoing education and dialogue, recognizing that we must understand past
wrongs and continuously learn and adapt.
… advancing opportunities and access for the racially and culturally diverse artists, employees, community members, and partners we serve.
… refining organizational practices, policies, and culture to drive inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
… establishing fair protocols and practices that address power dynamics and the role they play in the interactions between artists and institutions.
… partnering with and providing material resources to organizations and initiatives that are
actively working toward racial equity and justice.
We are accountable to ourselves and our communities to uphold these important commitments and to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible cultural sector.
Click here to learn more about the actions we are taking to promote racial equity and justice.
Gibney’s work is situated in Lenapehoking, the Lenape homeland. We acknowledge the Lenape land, water, and ancestors, as well as the Lenape people of the present and future. Gibney also acknowledges that our 280 Broadway location is situated on the nation’s earliest and largest known African burial ground. We honor both the spirit of those buried here and those who fought for the protection of this site for current and future generations. We recognize that a land acknowledgment such as this is a small gesture in demonstrating our commitment to the process of working to dismantle ongoing legacies of oppression and not a substitute for continued action. It is crucial that we understand and share history to comprehend how it impacts the systems that we may inadvertently accept or take for granted.
Gibney is committed to building a respectful and open community. Our aim is to create a space where all members of our community feel welcome and comfortable. As such, negative and inappropriate behaviors, including verbal abuse, hate speech, physical assault, disrespect, intimidation, or other forms of misconduct, are not acceptable at Gibney.
We reserve the right to refuse service and/or to restrict access to any visitor whose presence or participation at Gibney jeopardizes the welcoming and inclusive culture we are working to establish or detracts from the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of other patrons or staff.
Gibney seeks to create an equitable, inclusive, and diverse community representative of the core values of our organization. Discrimination is not permitted on the Gibney premises, including discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or physical or mental health status. Gibney reserves the right, at its own discretion, to cancel or reschedule any Gibney activity and to terminate Gibney’s relationship with any individuals or groups who infringe upon this Code of Conduct.
News
June 22, 2022
Gibney Announces 2023-24 Center Season
February 3, 2022
Gibney Expands Artistic & Programming Leadership
October 25, 2021
Gibney Company & Choreographic Associate Rena Butler Featured in Dance Magazine
February 25, 2021
Gibney Company Names Rena Butler as its First Choreographic Associate (Dance Magazine)
April 30, 2020
Helping Artists and Social Services Survive the Crisis (The New York Times)
January 8, 2020
Gibney Receives Grant to Transform Into a Repertory Company (The New York Times)
February 4, 2019
A Once-Struggling Artist Has Become the Dance Community’s Benevolent Landlord (Crain’s New York)
History
Over the course of nearly 30 years, Gibney has evolved from a socially active dance company with a single dance studio to a two-location performing arts and social justice powerhouse.
Founded in 1991 as a dance company dedicated to social action, Gibney has emerged as a cultural leader operating 23 studios across two Manhattan facilities—a feat unheard of in recent years.
Yet, Gibney is so much more than space. The organization provides a holistic ecosystem designed to support artists at every stage of their career, from creative process through performance, to discourse and community engagement.
When
Explore our calendar of upcoming events.
Where
Gibney’s Centers at 280 and 890 Broadway have reopened with updated safety procedures.
Read about our COVID-19 safety plan below, and learn about updated rental processes and procedures on our Rentals FAQ page.
Plan Your Visit
COVID-19 POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Gibney has developed thorough operations and safety plans for reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These plans are forward-thinking and flexible, incorporating all the knowledge and resources made available to us by the State of New York, the CDC, WHO, and the guidance of experts in the fields of medicine, operations, HVAC, and sanitation.
280 BROADWAY
Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center
The main entrance for Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center is located at 53A Chambers Street. The building operates from 8:00am-10:00pm EST Monday-Friday and 10:00am-10:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
Subways & Buses
Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall: 4,5,6
Elevator east of City Hall near Chambers Street and Centre Street.
Bus connections: M9, M22, M55, M103, BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, QM7, QM8, QM11, QM25, X1, X10, SIM1, SIM2, SIM4/4x, SIM32, SIM34, SIM1c, SIM3c, SIM4c, SIM15, SIM35.
World Trade Center: E, R
Elevator inside Port Authority building (33 Vesey Street) at southwest corner of Church and Vesey Streets. Take elevator to mezzanine level for passageway to E platform. The E platform can also be accessed via street elevators at southwest and northeast corners of Dey Street and Broadway. Take elevator to Concourse/R level for passageway to downtown R platform level. Passageway to platform is at same/north end of downtown platform.
Connections: M55 (northbound) (southbound M55 is one block east on Broadway); BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, BxM18, QM7, QM8, QM11, QM25, SIM1, SIM2, SIM4/4x, SIM15, SIM32, SIM34, SIM35, SIM1c, SIM3c, SIM4c, (PATH)
Chambers St: 1, 2, 3
Elevator at northwest corner of Hudson and Chambers Streets.
Bus connections: M5 (northbound), (one block east at Church St), M9 (at Warren and Murray Sts), M20 (southbound ), M22, SIM1, SIM2, SIM4/4x, SIM32, SIM34, SIM1c, SIM3c, SIM4c, SIM15.
For more detailed information on the accessible subways of New York City please visit web.mta.info/accessibility/stations.htm.
Wheelchair accessible taxicab upon request. (www.accessibledispatch.com)
Parking
Free street parking on Sundays.
Venue Details
Gibney 280 Broadway is accessible via elevator from the main entrance at 53A Chambers Street. The building operates from 8:00am-10:00pm EST Monday-Friday and 10:00am-10:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
There are automated, double doors at this entrance. Please utilize the square actuator to the side of the entrances to mobilize the doors. Upon entrance, there will be a wide hallway and a guard stationed at a desk near the bottom of the stairwell. You will be asked to sign in and clearly note your full name and time of arrival.
Bathrooms
There is one ADA compliant, gender neutral bathroom on the first floor, outside of Studio A.
There are six ADA compliant, gender-neutral bathrooms on the second floor. Two of which are accessible through the dressing rooms.
Kitchenette Access
There is a kitchenette with a sink, refrigerator and counter space on the second floor.
Signage
Braille signage is posted on studios, offices, bathrooms and dressing rooms.
Sensitivities to be Aware Of
Gibney is not a scent free environment.
Gibney is lit with florescent lighting. Certain studios and offices can be adjusted upon request.
Strobe lights may be used in certain events or performances. Strobe warnings will be written in programs and stated audibly.
Online Event Accessibility Features
Many online events feature live ASL interpreters (see event pages for more details) and live captioning through Otter Transcription is available for all events by request. If you have any questions or access needs, please contact Elyse Desmond at 646.837.6809 (Voice only), or by e-mailing elyse@gibneydance.org. If you are hoping to attend an event and would like us to engage the services of an ASL interpreter or audio descriptor, please let us know with as much notice as possible, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Performance-Based Accessibility Features
Accessible seating for performances is available.
Requests for reasonable accommodations including braille or large print programs, ASL and /or CART services we ask for a minimum of 4 weeks advance notice. Audio description for programs and performances can be offered via 2 microphones and available for up to 8 audience members simultaneously by contacting Elyse Desmond at 646.837.6809 (Voice only), or by e-mailing elyse@gibneydance.org.
Child care is not available.
Training & Class Accessibility Features
Gibney encourages people with disabilities to attend online and in-person classes, and we welcome the opportunity to make events more accessible. Live captioning through Otter Transcription is available for all online classes by request. If you have any questions or access needs, please email us at classes@gibneydance.org or call us at 212-677-8560 (voice only) 24 hours in advance of the class you plan to attend.
In the Case of an Emergency
Wheelchair Users & Mobility Disabilities: If the person(s) cannot exit the building via stairs without weight-bearing assistance, notify staff member to wait with them at the welcome desk until the fire department, paramedics, or other authorities arrive and can help escort them out of the building.
Hard of Hearing & Deaf People: In case of a fire, fire alarms will flash bright white lights as the alarms ring.
Please Note
This accessibility information sheet is a compilation of preexisting resources and best practices learned by Gibney. Our commitment to accessibility is a work in progress and is not comprehensive. We welcome information about additional resources. Please email elyse@gibneydance.org with your suggestions.
Special thank you to Dance/NYC and Temple University who’s access practices were used as a resource for this document.
Safety and security are a priority at all the Gibney facilities. We ask that you follow security protocols with the understanding that they are necessary to ensure the protection and well-being of everyone who works in our studios.
All guests must sign in with their full name before entering Gibney’s spaces at 280 Broadway and 890 Broadway, and ID may be requested at the discretion of building security. Compliance with this policy ensures that our spaces are safe and secure for all visitors.
The 890 Broadway building requires guests to present photo ID upon every sign-in in order to be granted access to the building. This is a building-wide policy, not a policy of Gibney. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver’s license, passport, school ID, voter registration card, green card, state ID card.
If for any reason you are unable to sign in or present ID, contact Interim Director of Operations, Dayron Napoles Rubant, at dayron@gibneydance.org.
890 BROADWAY
Gibney 890 Broadway is located on Broadway between 19th and 20th streets, near Union Square park. Building hours are: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm Monday – Friday, and 9:00 am – 6:30 pm on Saturdays.
Subways & Buses
14th St. Union Square: L, N, Q, R, W
Elevator at northeast corner of 14th Street and Park Avenue South (Union Square East).
Bus connections: M1, M2, M3 (all northbound), M14A, M14D
23rd St.: 6
Elevator on northeast corner of 23rd Street and Park Avenue South (uptown) and northwest corner of 23rd Street and Park Avenue South (downtown).
Bus connections: M1, M2, M3 (all northbound), M23 SBS, BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, BxM10, BxM11 (southbound only) and QM21
For more detailed information on the accessible subways of New York City please visit web.mta.info/accessibility/stations.htm.
Wheelchair accessible taxicab upon request. (www.accessibledispatch.com)
Accessible Parking
Sound Parking Corp. located at: 6 E 17th St.
Venue Details
The main entrance for Gibney 890 Broadway is an accessible entrance and available during all building hours: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm EST Monday – Friday, and 9:00 am – 6:30 pm on Saturdays. Gibney 890 is located on the 5th Floor of 890 Broadway. The building is situated between 19th St. and 20th St. on Broadway. Please be aware that 890 Broadway is a landmarked historic building that was built 1906, with that being said our hallways are quite narrow.
The general accessible entrance for this location is located at 890 Broadway. Please note that this is a shared entrance with American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Tech, who both reside within 890 Broadway.
To access the elevator, there are two sets of manually operating doors, and a front desk where you will be asked to provide a valid photo ID and sign in with the security guard on duty. The elevators are manually operated, you may state to the elevator operator that you are going to Gibney on the 5th floor. The elevators open onto the 5th floor: the left hand elevator opens to a narrow hallway near Studio 1, and the right hand elevator opens into a narrow hallway that leads to a main hallway. The Gibney Center Office is located between both elevator banks.
Requests for reasonable accommodation or for access to the 890 Broadway location outside of listed hours should be made three days in advance by contacting Dayron Napoles Rubant at dayron@gibneydance.org or 212.677.8560 (Voice only).
Studios
All studios at 890 are fully accessible spaces.
Bathrooms
There is one ADA compliant, gender neutral bathroom located on the left side of the Green Room.
Greenroom Access
There is a Green Room with a sink, refrigerator and counter space on the 5th floor.
Signage
Braille signage is currently not posted on studios, offices, bathrooms and dressing rooms.
Sensitivities to be Aware Of
Gibney is not a scent free environment.
Gibney is lit with florescent lighting. Certain studios and offices can be adjusted upon request.
Event-Based Accessibility Features
For requests for reasonable accommodations including braille or large print programs, ASL and /or CART services we ask for a minimum of 2 weeks advance notice. Audio description for programs and events can be offered via 2 microphones and available for up to 3 audience members simultaneously by contacting dayron@gibneydance.org.
Child care is not available.
Training & Class Accessibility Features
Gibney encourages people with disabilities to attend online and in-person classes, and we welcome the opportunity to make events more accessible. Live captioning through Otter Transcription is available for all online classes by request. If you have any questions or access needs, please email us at classes@gibneydance.org or call us at 212-677-8560 (voice only) 24 hours in advance of the class you plan to attend.
In the Case of an Emergency
Wheelchair Users & Mobility Disabilities: If the person(s) cannot exit the building via stairs without weight-bearing assistance, notify staff member to wait with them at the Center Office until the fire department, paramedics, or other authorities arrive and can help escort them out of the building.
Hard of Hearing & Deaf People: In case of a fire, fire alarms will flash bright white lights as the alarms ring.
Please Note
This accessibility information sheet is a compilation of preexisting resources and best practices learned by Gibney. Our commitment to accessibility is a work in progress and is not comprehensive. We welcome information about additional resources. Please email dayron@gibneydance.org with your suggestions.
Special thank you to Dance/NYC and Temple University who’s access practices were used as a resource for this document.
Safety and security are a priority at all the Gibney facilities. We ask that you follow security protocols with the understanding that they are necessary to ensure the protection and well-being of everyone who works in our studios.
All guests must sign in with their full name before entering Gibney’s spaces at 280 Broadway and 890 Broadway, and ID may be requested at the discretion of building security. Compliance with this policy ensures that our spaces are safe and secure for all visitors.
The 890 Broadway building requires guests to present photo ID upon every sign-in in order to be granted access to the building. This is a building-wide policy, not a policy of Gibney. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver’s license, passport, school ID, voter registration card, green card, state ID card.
If for any reason you are unable to sign in or present ID, contact Interim Director of Operations, Dayron Napoles Rubant, at dayron@gibneydance.org.
Support
Gibney is thrilled to have reopened, and we are looking ahead with optimism as we rebuild. Our ability to move forward towards a bright, innovative, and dynamic future is possible because of the commitment of generous individuals like you.
With your support, we can realize the visions of artists across our field and City: Will you join us?
Please email info@gibneydance.org with general questions about Gibney.
Please email development@gibneydance.org with donation-related questions.