named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Archival Preservation
Maintains and provides access to the Martha Graham Archive, preserving historical materials related to her life and work
Lamentation Variations
Commissions contemporary choreographers to create short works inspired by Graham's iconic solo "Lamentation," fostering new artistic interpretations
Repertory Performances
Stages classic and newly commissioned works by Martha Graham and contemporary choreographers, including full productions and excerpts from the Graham canon
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Original Dance Performance Production 3 activities
- Develop and disseminate educational resources for dance creationProvides support materials such as archival resources and lesson plans to guide the creation of new group dance and drama works inspired by "American Document" and supports partner organizations in producing "Lamentation Variations", a project pairing a film of Graham's original solo with newly commissioned short dances.
- Present performances of Martha Graham repertory and new contemporary worksPerforms a repertoire that includes classic works by Martha Graham and new works by contemporary choreographers at major venues domestically and internationally, including the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera House, and ancient theaters in Egypt and Greece. The company tours nationally and globally, customizing repertory programming for each venue in consultation with the Artistic Director.
- Produce and premiere new dance works and creative projectsCreates and premieres new choreographic works, including recent productions such as "Cortege (2025)", "Deo (2019)", "CAVE (2022)", and "Letter to Nobody", a media collaboration that enables a dancer to perform virtually alongside archival footage of Martha Graham. The company also produces multi-season creative initiatives such as GRAHAM100, a centennial celebration featuring curated programs, partnerships, and new commissions.
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Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 1 activity
- Advance dance preservation through technology and researchDevelops innovative digital projects including MarthaBot, a GPT for the company, and "Lamentation: Dancing the Archive", which uses volumetric film and AR tracking technology to preserve and reinterpret Graham's work. These initiatives support the long-term cultural preservation of the Graham legacy.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Preserve and maintain the Martha Graham ArchiveMaintains a digital and physical archive of over 90 years of Graham-related materials, including photographs, film footage, costumes, sets, and historical documents. Provides fee-based on-site access for scholarly research and special projects, and licenses archival materials for educational and exhibition purposes.
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Post-Performance Audience Engagement 1 activity
- Provide educational programming and public eventsOffers masterclasses, lecture-demonstrations, film screenings, gallery exhibits, workshops, and lectures in connection with performances. These auxiliary events are designed to engage diverse audiences and deepen public understanding of the Graham repertory and technique.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Support the broader dance field through rehearsal space and production supportOperates six professionally equipped rehearsal studios at its 30,000-square-foot headquarters in New York City, offering subsidized rentals at $10 per hour for eligible New York State choreographers, dance artists, and companies through NYSCA support. Also provides rehearsal and production support to nonprofit dance organizations.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- License Martha Graham works to professional and educational institutionsLicenses Martha Graham masterworks to professional dance companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Royal Ballet of Flanders, and supports over 100 colleges and universities in staging reconstructions of Graham works. Organizes a biennial University Partners Showcase in New York City for university and high school licensees.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.01M
Contributions & grants$2.10M52%
Program service revenue$1.88M47%
Investment income$12K0%
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$3.71M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$2.23M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.26M
Cash$1.28M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.23M
Net assets$1.03M
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARUE ALLEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 12 | $208K |
| JANET EILBER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 9 | $191K |
| SIMONA FERRARA | DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 9 | $120K |
| ASHLEY BROWN | SCHOOL DIRECTOR | 0 | $118K |
board members · 18
- AMY BLUMENTHAL — TRUSTEE
- AYSE DIZIOGLU-KOYLUOGLU — TRUSTEE
- BARBARA COHEN — VICE CHAIR
- CHRISTINE JOWERS — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER JONES — TRUSTEE
- ELLEN STEINE — TRUSTEE
- ELLIS WOOD — TRUSTEE
- FELICITY ROGERS-CHAPMAN — TRUSTEE
- GEOFFREY D FALLON — TRUSTEE
- INGER K WITTER — PRESIDENT
- IRINA NUZOVA — TRUSTEE (THRU JAN 2025)
- JAVIER MORGADO — CHAIR
- JUDITH G SCHLOSSER — CHAIRMAN EMERITA
- LAWRENCE STEIN — TRUSTEE
- LORI SACKLER — TRUSTEE
- LORRAINE OLER — IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
- NICHOLE PERKINS — TRUSTEE
- STEVE ROOKS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- American Ballet Theatre Partner — Licensed Martha Graham masterworks for performance
- Baye & Asa Partner — Choreographers of Cortege (2025), a new work inspired by Martha Graham’s Cortege of Eagles.
- Bobbi Jene Smith Partner — Co-choreographer of Deo (2019), a work based on the myth of Persephone.
- Buglisi Dance Theatre Partner — Multiple dancers associated with the Martha Graham Company have also performed with Buglisi Dance Theatre, indicating an ongoing professional relationship.
- Graham 2 Partner — Related performance ensemble under the direction of Virginie Mécène, focused on educational and outreach programming.
- Hofesh Shechter Partner — Choreographer of CAVE (2022), a new work performed by the company.
- Isamu Noguchi Partner — Collaborated on set designs for multiple Graham works including Appalachian Spring, Cave of the Heart, and Chronicle.
- Isamu Noguchi Partner — Longtime artistic collaborator on set and costume design for Graham’s ballets.
- Jacob’s Pillow Partner — Hosting the premiere of the company-affiliated project "Lamentation: Dancing the Archive" in 2025.
- Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Partner — Performs as part of the Graham100 National Tour.
- Janet Eilber Partner — Artistic Director who consults on customized programming for touring repertory.
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Presented the premiere of "Acts of Light" at this venue.
- Long Beach Opera Partner — Collaborated on creative projects such as "The Feast," with Xin Ying assisting artistic director Janet Eilber.
- Long Beach Opera Partner — Three-season collaboration as part of the GRAHAM100 centennial celebration.
- Martha Graham Resources Partner — Provides licensing and educational support materials for Graham-related projects and programming.
- Maxine Doyle Partner — Co-choreographer of Deo (2019), a work based on the myth of Persephone.
- NYC Dance Project Partner — Co-publishing a book featuring current Graham dancers and archival photos from the past 100 years.
- New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Partner — Hosted Lloyd Knight as a 2023 Dance Research Fellow.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides support for subsidized rehearsal space offered to eligible New York State choreographers, dance artists, and dance companies.
- Opus 3 Artists Partner — Handles booking and tour coordination for the Martha Graham Dance Company.
- PBS Partner — Collaborated on the production and release of a documentary about the Martha Graham Dance Company.
- PBS Partner — Developing a documentary on the Martha Graham Dance Company.
- Paul Taylor Dance Company Partner — Licensed Martha Graham masterworks for performance
- Royal Ballet of Flanders Partner — Licensed Martha Graham masterworks for performance
- Tanglewood Partner — Performs as part of the Graham100 National Tour.
- The Guggenheim Partner — Presented Lloyd Knight’s one-person show “The Drama” in 2025.
- The Joyce Theater Partner — Presenting the world premiere of "Letter to Nobody," a media-dance collaboration developed within the company.
- Twyla Tharp Dance Partner — Dancers from the Martha Graham Center have performed with Twyla Tharp Dance, including in productions at New York City Center and on the "60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee" tour.
- Vail Dance Festival Partner — Performs as part of the Graham100 National Tour.
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.
- Technique-Based Legacy Transmission 48 orgsmethodology: technique-based_trainingBy teaching and staging works exclusively through the Martha Graham Technique and repertory, the organization preserves artistic authenticity and advances Graham’s legacy, because immersive, method-based training ensures fidelity and depth in intergenerational transmission of choreographic language.shared approach: Artistic Legacy Transmission →
- Contextual Choreography for Cultural Resonance 22 orgsmethodology: contextual_choreographyBy grounding dance works in social, political, psychological, and sexual contexts, the organization deepens artistic impact and audience connection, because aligning choreography with lived human experiences makes dance a reflective and transformative cultural force.shared approach: Embodied Storytelling for Connection →
- Legacy-Integrated Innovation 14 orgsmethodology: legacy-integrated_innovationBy preserving Martha Graham’s historic choreography while commissioning new works from contemporary choreographers, the organization sustains artistic relevance and evolves the dance form, because connecting historical legacy with modern expression deepens resonance with current audiences and ensures cultural continuity.shared approach: Artistic Legacy Through Innovation →