named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Performance Season
Seasonal production of new premieres and repertory works by Matthew Westerby Company and MWC2 at venues including Manhattan Movement & Arts Center and Hudson Guild.
MWC Youth Dance Platform
An annual showcase providing performance opportunities for over 200 young dancers from youth-focused dance groups across NYC and the Northeast.
The Harlem Project
A community engagement initiative that brings together young people from across NYC to create and perform alongside professional dancers, celebrating personal histories and shared cultural ground through movement.
Uptown Dances on the Lawn
Free public performance and community movement event in Isham Park, Inwood, featuring repertory works and interactive activities for all ages.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
-
Dance Performance and Community Engagement 3 activities
- Annual community dance project in HarlemOrganizes an annual summer community dance project in Harlem since 2016, bringing together professional and community performers of all ages for rehearsals and performances centered on community building, dialogue, and collaboration, culminating in a free public performance at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park.
- Community workshops and pop-up performancesConducts pop-up dance performances and leads movement workshops for all ages at public events and parks across New York City, including yoga, creative dance for children, and Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian dance workshops as part of Uptown Dances on the Lawn.
- Youth Dance PlatformOrganizes an annual Youth Dance Platform since 2023, bringing together over 200 young dancers from youth-focused dance organizations across the Northeast to share performances, participate in movement workshops, and build community through dance.
-
-
Ballet and Dance Education Programs 2 activities
- Dance education outreach in schools and institutionsDelivers dance education programs to public and charter schools, colleges, and dance training institutions in New York City and New Jersey, including year-round instruction at Far Brook School and past residencies such as with Project Poetry Live! in Connecticut.
- Low-cost dance education program in East HarlemOffers year-round, low-cost dance classes for all ages through the Rise & Shine program in East Harlem, including Creative Dance, Elementary Dance, Hip-Hop, and Ballet at $5 per class, led by professional teaching artists.
-
-
Original Dance Performance Production 2 activities
- Production of dance filmsProduced and presented three dance films during the pandemic years: Notes From Afar (2020), Remember Me (2020), and A Mind’s Descent (2021), expanding the company's artistic reach through digital media.
- Professional dance company performancesOperates a professional dance company that creates and performs original contemporary dance works, including annual performance seasons at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center and presentations at venues such as the Whitney Museum and Ubumuntu Arts Festival in Kigali, Rwanda.
-
-
Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
- Annual community performance project in InwoodProduces an annual community performance project titled "Uptown Dances on the Lawn" in Fort Tryon Park and Isham Park since 2022, featuring professional and community performers in accessible outdoor performances.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- MWC 2 early-career dancer programRuns MWC 2, launched in 2022, to provide early-career professional dancers with practical performance experience and foster inter-dancer learning within the company structure.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$277K
Contributions & grants$127K46%
Program service revenue$151K54%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$280K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$84K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$13K
Cash$13K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$11K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +108.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATTHEW WESTERBY | DIRECTOR | 20 | $51K |
board members · 5
- ALESSANDRA LARSON — PRESIDENT
- INARA DELEON — TRUSTEE
- JOHN MOORE — TREASURER
- NIKKI PENFOLD — VICE PRESIDENT
- TASHA MILLER PARTEE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 42
Who they work with
- Ariel Rivka Dance Partner — Collaborates with Ariel Rivka Dance to present Cross Current performances in Madrid and London.
- CUNY York College Government — Was in residence through the CUNY Dance Initiative from 2017 to 2019.
- CUNY York College Partner — Co-produced the Youth Dance Showcase in 2019 with MWC.
- Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program Partner — Inara, MWC Board Member, serves on the board of the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program.
- City Council Government — Recognized as part of a citywide funding partnership involving the City Council.
- Columbia University Medical Center Neighborhood Fund Funder — Supports Uptown Dances on the Lawn.
- Covenant Ballet Theatre Partner — Collaborates with the Harlem Project, contributing young dancers from Brooklyn.
- Dance Wave Partner — Nikki Penfold, MWC Board Vice President, has taught with Dance Wave in New York City.
- Dreamyard Project Partner — Nikki Penfold, MWC Board Vice President, has taught with the Dreamyard Project.
- FSUMC/The People's Church Partner — Partnership to present Rise & Shine, an accessible dance program for all ages in East Harlem.
- FSUMC/The People’s Church Partner — Hosts the Rise & Shine dance program in East Harlem and collaborates with Matthew Westerby Company to provide community dance education.
- Family-to-Family Partner — Inara, MWC Board Member, serves on the board of Family-to-Family, a hunger relief program.
- Fisher Center at Bard College Partner — Alessandra, MWC Board President, works at the Fisher Center at Bard College.
- High Line Partner — Presented the premiere of "Migratory Patterns" and planned premiere of "The Piers Project" on the High Line.
- Hudson Guild Funder — Supported the production of "Migratory Patterns."
- Hudson Guild Theatre Company Partner — Collaborated on the creation and production of "Migratory Patterns."
- Hudson Guild Theatre Company Partner — Collaborating since 2012 on interdisciplinary works combining dance, opera, and music.
- Jamaica Dance Festival Funder — Provided commissioning grants for the development of "The Piers Project."
- Judson Memorial Church Partner — Planned venue for the full premiere of "City of Ashes" in December 2025.
- Litchfield Performing Arts Partner — Collaborated from 2009 to 2017 on Project Poetry Live!, engaging public school children across Connecticut.
- Litchfield Performing Arts Partner — Participates in the Swingin’ Saturdays arts education program created by Litchfield Performing Arts.
- Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Funder — Provides support for both the Harlem Project and Uptown Dances on the Lawn.
- Léman Manhattan Preparatory School Partner — Tasha Partee, MWC Board Member, serves as an Upper School Theatre teacher at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School.
- Materials for the Arts Funder — Provided support for the production of "Migratory Patterns."
- Mertz Gilmore Foundation Funder — Funds Uptown Dances on the Lawn through the Uptown Seed for Dance grant.
- NYC City Council Government — Partner in supporting the Harlem Project with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Supports the Harlem Project in partnership with NYC City Council.
- NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs Government — Receives grant funding from the NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs through the FY2025 Cultural Development Fund.
- NYC Mayor’s Office Government — Recognized as part of a citywide funding partnership involving the NYC Mayor’s Office.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Vendor for the New York City Department of Education, delivering dance education programs.
+ 12 more
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.
- Arts-Based Community Buildingmethodology: arts-based_community_buildingBy using dance as a shared creative practice, the organization fosters community ties, dialogue, and social justice because collective artistic engagement creates emotional connection and inclusive spaces for diverse participants.
- Collaborative Choreography for Identity and Representationmethodology: identity-based_collaborative_choreographyBy integrating performers' unique identities and lived experiences—particularly those of immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth—into choreographic processes, the organization deepens emotional resonance and community relevance because authentic representation strengthens personal investment and audience connection.
- Inclusive Access as a Pathway to Social Equitymethodology: universal_accessBy removing financial, experiential, and age-related barriers to dance education and performance, the organization advances equity and community engagement because universal access enables broader participation and empowers marginalized individuals to engage in the arts.