Since 2005, the Dance Omi International Dance Collective has brought together ten accomplished dance artists from around the world for three weeks of creative exchange each summer. Though the program culminates in informal showings on the Omi campus, the emphasis is not a performance product; rather, a gently facilitated process of experimentation and collaboration.

This exploration is enhanced by providing resources that dancers and choreographers often lack: space, time and other artists with whom to work. Under the direction of the Dance Omi Director and an alumni Guest Mentor, residents learn from each other's creative process and the freedom to play. The result is a model of creative process and community building that envisions consequences for the participants beyond the sphere of art making.

Professional Dancers/Choreographers of ALL styles (Modern, Ballet, Improvisation, Ethnic Dance forms, etc.) who have the desire to share ideas and process with dancers from around the world are encouraged to apply. It is recommended that applicants do not have specific projects in mind, but come open to working with others on jointly conceived projects. It is imperative that all applicants have a genuine openness to collaborating with artists of different dance backgrounds.

All awarded fellows commit to remaining for the entire residency and to participating in the concluding showings. Everyone accepted to Dance Omi receives full room and board during his or her stay at Omi (note that Omi is unable to provide travel funds).

OMI International Arts Center is located two and a half hours north of New York City in the historic Hudson River Valley. Named for a neighboring village, OMI is close to the small town of Ghent, New York, as well as Albany and Hudson, which offer train connections only thirty minutes away.

The facilities, situated on three hundred acres of open land, include a large two-story barn with indoor studios; contemporary residence buildings designed with a vernacular reference to local barns, surrounded by abundant perennial beds, expansive lawns dotted with fruit trees, adjacent to The Fields Sculpture Park.

A Federal Period farm house serves as a gathering center, providing a full kitchen, television room and library; while the front porch overlooks rolling hills and the majestic outline of the Catskill Range. A swimming pool, bicycles, WiFi access and several state of the art computers are available on the premises.

Columbia County, and the nearby Berkshire Mountains, are popular destinations because of their historical, natural and cultural riches. From bird sanctuaries to modern dance, presidential mansions to farmer's markets, the environs offer a singular blend of rural quiet and cultural stimulation. Staff and friends in the neighborhood are often available for excursions of interest to residents. The local library has a modest collection, but is a member of the Mid-Hudson group, calling on the resources of libraries within much of eastern New York.

     Christopher K. Morgan has been Director of the Dance Omi International Dance Collective since 2006. Based in the Washington DC area, he is the Artistic Director of Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, a contemporary dance company whose work stems from a belief in the urgency of live performance art in an increasingly isolating, commercial, and digital world. Said to be "charming and poignant" by The New York Times, Morgan's choreography has been presented in 18 countries on 5 continents, in venues including The Kennedy Center (Washington DC), La Mama (New York City), Theater Artaud (San Francisco), The Maly Theatre (Moscow, Russia) the Hong Kong Cultural Center (China) and the South Lawn of the White House. From 2007-2011, Morgan was Choreographer in Residence & Rehearsal Director for CityDance Ensemble, where he was instrumental in its growth, repertory acquisitions and touring. From 2005-2008 he created work independently for his New York based pick up company, Muse. Morgan is currently the Artist in Residence at American University in Washington, DC. Other teaching credits include Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Shawbrook (Ireland), Iwanson Schule (Munich) and many other locations including several Universities throughout the United States. Performing credits include Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Malashock Dance & Co., Verb Ballets, Kevin Wynn, Shapiro & Smith, Selfish Shellfish (Germany) and as a soloist with the Washington National, Houston Grand, San Diego and New York City Operas. While dancing with choreographer David Gordon, Morgan had the honor of dancing roles originated by Mikhail Baryshnikov. He was in the original Olivier nominated cast of Fabulous Beast Dance Theater's Giselle. TV and film credits include a PBS Great Performance with Placido Domingo, and on film dancing with Kate Winslet and Christopher Walken.

www.christopherkmorgan.com