Make An Impact Today.
MorDance is being forced out of our home—but we’ve secured a new space just up the block in Yonkers.
Help us complete construction so dance, education, and community can continue to thrive.
Together, we can build the future of MorDance.
Help us raise $120,000 by March 1
A Letter From Our Director:
Dear MorDance Community,
Your support has made MorDance a home for creativity, education, and community-driven art. As we look ahead, I want to share an urgent opportunity to secure our future in Yonkers and enable us to provide transformative dance experiences for years to come.
Due to rapidly rising rent, we are unexpectedly being forced out of our current home. However, we are thrilled to have secured a new space with a landlord who recognizes MorDance’s incredible impact, not just as a performing arts institution but as a community pillar providing accessible dance education and cultural enrichment programming to people of all ages in Westchester county.
While this is an extraordinary opportunity, we now face a critical challenge: we need to raise $120,000 to complete essential renovations to make the space fully functional for performances, classes, and community programs. These renovations include removing walls to open the space, installing HVAC systems, upgrading electrical work, and adding riser seating—transforming the space into a true home for dance, education, and connection.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to making our vision a reality. Thank you for believing in the power of the arts. Together, we can build something exceptional.
With Gratitude,
Morgan McEwen
Founder / Artistic Director
Your Donation Will Directly Support
A fully equipped dance and performance space that fosters artistic excellence and accessibility for audiences in Yonkers, Westchester, and beyond.
Free and low-cost programming for children, seniors, and underserved Yonkers communities.
A home for world-class performances and community events that drive economic growth and cultural revitalization.
Recognizing Your Generosity
We strive to recognize our patrons in meaningful ways. Your contributions to this project will not only unlock annual giving benefits for both corporate. and individual donors, but provide exclusive access to naming opportunities to honor your generosity. These unique acknowledgements ensure that your support leaves a lasting impact on our new space and the future of MorDance.
The generosity of our community has sustained us for over a decade. In this critical moment, we especially thank you for supporting MorDance’s incredible journey. We look forward to seeing you in our new home.
Why Your Support Matters
MorDance isn’t just about dance—it’s about making the arts a force for education, opportunity, and social change.
In just the past year, we have doubled our operating budget and quadrupled our programming. Your gift today is not just an investment in MorDance—it’s an investment in the future of Yonkers.
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Through free and low-cost performances, MorDance champions the power of art to unite communities, foster connection, and cultivate empathy. We know that access to the arts bridges divides, sparks dialogue, and creates a more inclusive and compassionate society.
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Students with an arts-rich education are five times more likely to stay in school and four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
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MorDance harnesses the power of art to inspire environmental stewardship, champion social responsibility, and foster civic engagement.
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Arts education improves critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, which are essential for future success.
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MorDance provides free dance education and mentorship for youth who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the arts.
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Arts organizations drive urban revitalization—studies show that cultural institutions increase property values, attract businesses, and enhance community pride.
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People who engage with the arts are more likely to volunteer and participate in civic life, strengthening social connections.
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The arts generate $166 billion in economic activity annually in the U.S., supporting 4.6 million jobs.
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Every $1 invested in the arts returns $5 to the local economy, benefiting businesses and tourism.
FAQs
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Q: What costs will my donation support?
A: Your donation will directly fund essential renovations and upgrades needed to transform our new space into a fully functional home for dance, education, and community engagement. These costs include:
Opening up the space by removing walls to create a flexible performance and rehearsal area.
Installing HVAC systems to ensure a comfortable environment for dancers, students, and audiences.
Upgrading electrical work to support professional lighting and sound systems.
Adding riser seating to enhance the audience experience.
Removing old, damaged carpet and replacing it with new flooring.
Adding a water fountain to ensure hydration for dancers, students, and staff.
Creating two locker rooms to provide dedicated preparation areas for dancers.
Removing the drop ceiling grid and low-hanging lights to allow for safe and unrestricted dancing.
Replacing lighting with flush-mounted ceiling lights to ensure clear audience views and eliminate obstacles for dancers being lifted.
Equipping the space with mirrors, ballet barres, flooring, and other essential elements for training and performances.
We also offer special naming opportunities to recognize donors for their generosity. You can sponsor specific areas and essential elements of the space, such as the studio, dressing rooms, ballet barres, or individual theater seats. To learn more about these unique recognition opportunities, visit our Naming Opportunities page.
Your support ensures that MorDance can continue to provide free and low-cost programming, offer need-based scholarships, and expand our impact in the community. Every contribution makes a lasting difference—thank you for helping us build the future of MorDance!
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Due to significant rent increases, MorDance must relocate from our current home. While this transition was unexpected, we have secured a new space with a landlord who values our mission and is offering a long-term lease—providing much-needed stability and room to grow. This move ensures that we can continue expanding our performances, dance education programs, and community outreach in a dedicated, well-equipped space that will serve dancers and the broader community for years to come.
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Yonkers is a culturally rich yet underserved community when it comes to access to professional dance and arts education. While Westchester County is home to a thriving artistic community, there is a significant lack of dedicated performing arts centers—especially in Yonkers, the largest city in the county. This limits opportunities for artists to create and perform, and for residents to engage with high-quality, live performances.
MorDance has already made a meaningful impact in Yonkers through free and low-cost performances, after-school programs, and partnerships with local schools and community organizations. However, with a home like this, we can significantly expand access to the arts, providing a vibrant cultural hub where dance, music, and interdisciplinary performances can flourish.
Beyond its artistic value, the performing arts are a proven driver of economic growth. Studies show that arts organizations contribute to urban revitalization, increase property values, attract businesses, and strengthen local economies. Every $1 invested in the arts generates $5 in local economic impact, benefiting surrounding restaurants, shops, and businesses. By securing a longer-term space for performances and education, MorDance is not only shaping the cultural future of Yonkers but also fueling its economic vitality—transforming the city into a destination for the performing arts.
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If we do not reach our full fundraising goal, we will scale back our renovations and initially occupy a smaller portion of our new space. We will continue to work towards acquiring and building out additional areas as funding allows. While this may limit our immediate capacity, we remain committed to growing our programs and making dance accessible to all in Yonkers and beyond.