named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Advanced Group
Performance-level ensemble that rehearses weekly and presents Polish folk dances at public events, festivals, and concerts
Children's Group
Weekly dance instruction for young children to introduce Polish folk dance and prepare them for future participation in the ensemble
FolkFest (Spotkanie z Folklorem)
Annual cultural event featuring costume displays, dance performances, and music to showcase the diversity of Polish folk traditions
Juniors' Group
Training program for young dancers designed to develop skills and serve as a pipeline to the adult performance group
Kapela Ludowa (Folk Band)
Live folk music ensemble that performs traditional Polish music alongside the dance company at events and concerts
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 1 activity
- Production of Polish folk dance performancesProduces and presents professional folk dance performances, including full-length concerts such as the debut at Lincoln Center in 1970 and annual events like FolkFest, supported by public funding from the New York State Council on the Arts and Materials for the Arts.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Public performances at cultural and civic eventsAnnually performs the Grand Polonaise at the Pułaski Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, opening the parade alongside dignitaries, as a key public cultural engagement.
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 1 activity
- Weekly Polish folk dance instruction programsOffers weekly folk dance classes for children, junior participants, beginners, and advanced dancers on Fridays at varying times, structured by skill level and age group.
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Uncategorized 4 activities
- Leadership in Polish folk dance network organizationsBecame a founding member of the Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas in 1983, contributing to the development and coordination of the broader Polish folk dance community in the Western Hemisphere.
- Live music performance of Polish folk musicProduces live folk music performances through Kapela Ludowa (Folk Band), established under Daniel Dziadura’s leadership, featured at events such as FolkFest.
- Participation in domestic and international folk dance festivalsRegularly participates in folk dance festivals across the United States, Canada, and internationally, including the World Festival of Polish Folk Dance Groups in Rzeszów, Poland, with documented participation from 1972 through 2014.
- Preservation and presentation of Polish folk culture through research and performanceEngages in research and presentation of Polish folk culture, recognized by the 1980 Oskar Kolberg Award from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and collaborates with guest choreographers from Poland to expand knowledge of regional dances.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$31K
Contributions & grants$12K40%
Program service revenue$17K55%
Investment income$2K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$38K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$85K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$85K
3 years on record · 2021–2023 · YoY revenue +4.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Amanda Lakin — Director
- Andrzej Buczek — Executive Director
- Martyna Grochecki — Director
- Tamara Gubernat — Director
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- American Institute of Polish Culture Partner — Invites PAFDC to perform annually at the International Polonaise Ball in Miami.
- Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Partner — Lent costumes and talents for a Mexican dance presentation at the 37th International Polonaise Ball in 2009.
- Hungarian House of New York Partner — Collaborates with PAFDC for Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day performances.
- Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Partner — Collaborated with PAFDC and the Polish Theater Institute in 2013 on a cultural celebration.
- Kościuszko Foundation Partner — Provided assistance and support for research and traditional costume development.
- Materials for the Arts Government — Public program providing support for PAFDC's performances
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Public funder supporting PAFDC's performances
- Polish National Home Partner — Serves as PAFDC’s base of operations for over forty years and hosts numerous performances and events.
- Polish Theater Institute Partner — Collaborated on a celebration of “The Night of Kupała–A Midsummer Night” in 2013.
- Polish and Slavic Federal Credit Union Partner — Hosts PAFDC’s annual holiday caroling celebrations with live performances by Kapela Ludowa.
- Polish-American Aid Fund Partner — Supported research to provide traditional costumes for the company.
- State Folk Group of Song and Dance Mazowsze Partner — Long-time collaboration involving workshops and knowledge exchange on Polish folk dance.
- Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble Partner — Collaborated through choreographer Zofia Czechlewska to develop new choreographies.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Authenticity Through Researchmethodology: authenticity_through_researchBy conducting extensive domestic and international research on dances and costumes, the organization ensures cultural authenticity in performances, because accuracy strengthens educational impact and fosters deeper respect for the traditions being represented.
- Cultural Education Through Performancemethodology: cultural-education-through-performanceBy performing and promoting Polish folk dance and music, the organization educates Polish-Americans and broader audiences about Polish cultural heritage, because shared artistic expression serves as an accessible and engaging vehicle for intergenerational and cross-cultural learning.
- Fusion of Traditional and Classical Techniquesmethodology: fusion_of_traditional_and_classicalBy integrating traditional Polish folk dances with classical ballet technique, the organization enhances both performance quality and cultural authenticity, because the technical precision and discipline of ballet elevate the artistic expression while preserving the integrity of folk traditions.