A Note From The Directors

Dear Yard Family,
We’ve missed you! This fall and winter have been busy with educational residencies, conversations with new and continuing nonprofit partners–both on and off-island, and long-term planning with our board and staff. We've also witnessed performances by incredible dance artists–many of whom we hope to share with the Vineyard community over the next few years.

In January, we had the privilege of attending the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) conference in New York, in addition to dozens of performance festivals and artist showcases. As one of the world’s leading conventions for the performing arts industry, APAP allows The Yard to reconnect with peers in the field and forge new partnerships, deepening our understanding of the diverse talents and innovative ideas shaping our industry.

A highlight was witnessing the evolution of Yard-supported dance showcased on a "global" stage, as well as imaging future Yard artist residencies, community programs, and ground-breaking performances.

We've been working on an exciting 2024 summer program and can't wait to share more details later this spring. To stay in the loop, update your contact info on our mailing list and follow us on Instagram or Facebook. You'll be the first to hear about the diverse array of artists, performances, and dance classes we will be bringing to Martha’s Vineyard this summer.

Until Then,
Stephanie Pacheco, Executive Director
Yvonne Mendez, Programming Director

Stay Updated

A sister organization to The Yard, Works & Process at the Guggenheim champions performing artists and their creative process from studio to stage. Both organizations support the creation of new work through commissioning and artist residencies.

In September, The Yard partnered with Works & Process and local nonprofit Circuit Arts to host INDIAN LETTERS for a residency on Martha's Vineyard. This immersive digital theater project is a collaboration between Preeti Vasudevan, artistic director of New York-based arts organization Thresh, and Amar Ramasar, former principal dancer at the New York City Ballet. Two dancers investigate the question, "Where is home?," casting new light on issues of race, assimilation, faith, and identity in the 21st Century.

During the Martha's Vineyard residency, artists lived on The Yard's Chilmark campus, rehearsed in our dance studio, and collaborated with local film and media artists. The week culminated in a public conversation and works-in-progress showing at the Grange Hall theater in West Tisbury.

INDIAN LETTERS was subsequently shown at the Underground Uptown Dance Festival in New York. Islander Danielle Mulcahy of Circuit Arts remains a collaborator on the work, thanks to this innovative partnership between The Yard, Works & Process, and Circuit Arts.