COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

ERWIN AND ISABELLE ZIEGELMAN FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 382831525 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T21 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Small ($100K-$1M) · accent.dance
revenue
$377K
expenses
$340K
net assets
$2.3M
employees
6
volunteers
11
program ratio
73%
mission · from form 990

EXPAND ACCESS TO, AND THE APPRECIATION OF, DANCE. ENHANCE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE, AND JOY THROUGH INCLUSIVE AND CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE DANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. SHOWCASE A DANCE COMPANY PERFORMING WORKS THAT AMPLIFY DIVERSE CULTURES, PERSPECTIVES, AND IDENTITIES WHILE HIGHLIGHTING IMPORTANT SOCIAL ISSUES. IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCEMAKERS; AND EMPOWER COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Erwin and Isabelle Ziegelman Foundation, operating as Accent Dance NYC, is a New York–based nonprofit that advances dance through education, performance, and support for emerging choreographers. It produces culturally responsive educational programs like Project Access, which explores global dance styles and their historical roots, and runs a commissioning program that funds and mentors early-career choreographers. The foundation emphasizes inclusivity, cultural identity, and community engagement in its work.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

NEXT: Emerging Choreographer Commissioning Program
Professional development initiative that commissions new works from early-career choreographers, covering all production costs and providing mentorship, rehearsal space, and performance opportunities in New York City.
Project Access
Virtual educational dance series providing students with cultural and historical context for diverse dance styles, including tango, salsa, hip hop, and ballet, through video performances and supplemental classroom materials.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Original Dance Performance Production 3 activities
    • Artist support and outreach for emerging dance creators
      Identifies, develops, and supports emerging dance creators through outreach and community engagement initiatives, including dancer selection via auditions or workshops and logistical support for commissioning projects.
    • Commissioning and production of original dance works
      Commissions new concert and film works from emerging and established choreographers, covering all creative expenses such as artist compensation, rehearsal space, dancer fees, and premiere production. These works are featured in concert performances, dance films, galas, and arts education programming.
    • Professional development and mentorship for choreographers
      Provides commissioned choreographers with professional mentorship, audience feedback through open rehearsals and in-process showings, and networking opportunities to support career advancement and the dissemination of new works in educational, community, and concert settings.
  • Ballet and Dance Education Programs 2 activities
    • Adult dance instruction
      Offers ballet and Latin dance classes for adults, focusing on posture, coordination, balance, and artistic expression. Latin classes include instruction in salsa, bachata, merengue, samba, mambo, tango, and rumba.
    • Dance education programs for youth
      Provides high-quality, inclusive, and culturally-responsive dance education to over 25,000 pre-K and school-age children in New York City through in-school classes, residencies, and community partnerships. Programs include West African dance, salsa instruction, and choreography classes taught by professional dancers, with curricula designed to enhance creativity, confidence, and cultural awareness.
  • Artist Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding emerging choreographers through commissioning programs
      Funds and awards grants to early-career choreographers through the NEXT: The Emerging Choreographer Commissioning Program, including financial support for artist compensation, rehearsal space, and premiere production. The 2026–2027 grant was awarded to Ingrid Silva.
  • Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
    • Global dance video curation project
      Curates a global video project that showcases children’s dance performances from around the world, expanding access to diverse cultural expressions through digital media.
  • Dance Performance and Community Engagement 1 activity
    • Intergenerational and community dance performances
      Delivers interactive, narrated dance performances and family engagement workshops for schools, community sites, and cultural festivals across New York City and surrounding areas. These performances highlight diverse cultures, histories, and themes—including Hispanic and Black history, Juneteenth, and LGBTQ Pride—and include audience participation and Q&A sessions.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$377K
Contributions & grants$199K53%
Program service revenue$123K33%
Investment income$55K14%
Other revenue$334
expenses
Total expenses$340K
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$173K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.27M
Cash$163K
Investments$2.08M
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$2.27M
Liquid reserves79.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -15.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 11
  • ANDREA ZIEGELMAN ESQ — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  • CRYSTYN WRIGHT — BOARD MEMBER
  • ELIZABETH J FEE ESQ — VICE CHAIR
  • GEORGE ZILVETTI — SECRETARY
  • KEISHA SALMON — BOARD MEMBER
  • LEE RAUCH — TREASURER
  • LEIGH GOLDMAN — CHAIR OF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
  • LYNDA BAGLEY — BOARD MEMBER
  • SERGIO AGUILAR — BOARD MEMBER
  • SHAREE S GREGG — CHAIR GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
  • SHARENE JONES — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 28

Who they work with

  • Accent Dance NYC Partner — Erwin and Isabelle Ziegelman Foundation operates under the name Accent Dance NYC in New York.
  • Accent Dance NYC Partner — Implementing organization for dance residencies, educational performances, and family engagement workshops
  • Accent Dance NYC Partner — Partner organization co-delivering adult Latin and ballet classes at the New Rochelle YMCA.
  • Ailey Citigroup Theater Partner — Hosted the Company's first full-length season in March 2025.
  • Ailey Studios Partner — Hosted the premiere of commissioned work _Narcissus_ in NYC.
  • ArtsWestchester Partner — Provides grant funding that supports programming.
  • Ballet Arts Partner — Venue for Company performances.
  • Battery Park Dance Festival Partner — Performance partner in NYC cultural programming.
  • Battery Park Dance Festival Partner — Performs as part of the Battery Park Dance Festival.
  • Bronx Music Heritage Center Partner — Venue for Company performances.
  • City of New Rochelle Partner — Collaborates on ArtsFest performances.
  • Gay and Doug Lane Partner — Long-time supporters who have contributed over $150,000 since the organization's inception.
  • Gibney Studios Partner — Hosted the premiere of commissioned work _Echoes Between Us_ in Downtown NYC.
  • Mark Mann Partner — Renowned photographer who created an original dance film adaptation of the commissioned work _Narcissus_.
  • Mid Atlantic Arts Partner — Provides funding through the Mid Atlantic Folk and Traditional Arts - Community Projects program with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
  • NRYMCA Partner — Host site and administrative partner for adult dance classes offered in collaboration with Accent Dance NYC.
  • NYC’s Summer Streets Festival Partner — Performs as part of NYC’s Summer Streets Festival.
  • National Endowment for the Arts Government — Supports programming through funding to Mid Atlantic Arts.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides grant funding that supports programming.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides grant funding that supports programming.
  • Open Jar Studios Partner — Hosted the premiere of commissioned work _A Place for Us_ in NYC.
  • Peridance NYC Partner — Collaborates with Peridance NYC, which hosted a performance of commissioned work _Narcissus_ as part of _Peridance Presents_.
  • Richard Rodgers Foundation Funder — Provides grant funding to support programming.
  • Summer Streets Festival Partner — Performance partner in NYC cultural programming.
  • Teatro LATEA Partner — Venue for Company performances.
  • YMCA Partner — Partners with the YMCA to deliver comprehensive dance programming in schools.
  • iHeart Dance NYC Partner — Performs as part of iHeart Dance NYC.
  • iHeart Dance NYC Festival Partner — Performance partner in NYC cultural programming.
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.

  • Artistic Advocacy Through Thematic and Inclusive Programming
    methodology: artistic_advocacy
    By commissioning and presenting dance works that explore social justice, identity, equity, and inclusion—while prioritizing underrepresented artists—the organization sparks public dialogue and advances equity in the arts because art that centers marginalized voices generates awareness, community reflection, and systemic change.
  • Culturally Responsive and Identity-Affirming Dance Education
    methodology: culturally-responsive_education
    By teaching dance within cultural, historical, and social justice contexts and affirming students' identities and heritage, the organization fosters deeper student engagement, self-esteem, creativity, and artistic voice because learning rooted in personal and cultural relevance produces stronger cognitive and emotional outcomes.
  • Integrated Artist Development for Early-Career Choreographers
    methodology: integrated artist development
    By providing early-career choreographers with financial support, developmental feedback, networking, and full artistic backing, the organization maximizes artistic growth and public engagement because holistic, long-term investment in artists produces more innovative and impactful work.