From its inception in 1993, Philadelphia Dance Projects (PDP) has engaged stellar dance artists many of whom were enlarging the modern and postmodern vocabularies with personal and/or cultural explorations in both technique and content.

Under the aegis of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 1993-96 the Projects included local, national and international guests in creative residencies and performances. When The Pillow concluded its aegis, Terry Fox, then PDP Coordinator, and Joan Myers Brown Executive Director of Philadanco, a renowned repertory company in the original PDP, decided to keep what was the most valuable of the Projects for the dance community at that time.  PDP, as an independent organization, was set in motion to provide creative and learning opportunities that most often involved artist to artist interaction. These activities included workshops and classes, commissioning work and providing low cost rehearsal space along with several presentations including a photographic exhibition, film series, forums and performances.  PDP incorporated in 1999.

In 2008 PDP initiated a pilot series of “Informances” (artist/audience conversations with live performance and video presentations) which paved the way for a more fully produced presenting series, PDP Presents, DANCE UP CLOSE launched in 2009. Since then PDP has successfully produced an annual series, DANCE UP CLOSE, that highlights local dance artists often on the same program roster as their national and international peers.  This series is unique in its dedication to Philadelphia dance artists by providing full production and commissioning
new works.

Past PDP Projects have included SCUBA :National Touring Network for Dance and Motion Pictures, a dance film/video series.

Through support from the Trust for Mutual Understanding PDP has participated with DanceUP and then managing from 2013 – 2023 the BILATERAL: Budapest/Philadelphia Dance Artists Exchange where in alternate years the cities would host two dance artists in a three-week creative and cultural residency in partnership with the Műhely Alapítvány/Workshop Foundation. In 2024, the Exchange became TRILATERAL expanding to include Sofia, Bulgaria with organizational partner BodyMeld.

In addition PDP has developed two artists history initiatives; the Local Dance History Project  and the Old City Arts History Project with the intent to reveal the impact of dance artists in contributing to culture and urban development. Archiving this history is in progress in partnership with the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. PDP has created a digital archive of 11 Philadelphia artists circa 1980’s and created an archival website, OldCityArtsHistory.com.

Dance artists are engaged in a “time sensitive” transitory art form that merits support and response in the present.   The sampling of Projects highlighted above from PDP’s history illustrate a responsiveness to community and a dedication to consider the value of dance in our society, with an emphasis on contemporary exploration. PDP’s programs serve artists, audiences, and students in various locales throughout the city. The projects greatly enhance the capacity of dancemaking, and the presence of dance in Philadelphia, thus fulfilling our mission.