Jacob's Pillow Dance is lauded worldwide as a "hub and mecca of dancing" (TIME Magazine), "one of America's most precious cultural assets" (Mikhail Baryshnikov), and "the dance center of the nation" (The New York Times). "The Pillow" is a treasured 220-acre National Historic Landmark, a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts, and home to America's longest-running international dance festival.
Each year thousands of people from across the U.S. and around the globe visit the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts to experience the Festival with more than 50 dance companies and 200 free performances, talks, and events; train at The School at Jacob's Pillow, one of the most prestigious professional dance training centers in the U.S.; explore the Pillow's rare and extensive dance Archives; and take part in numerous Community Programs designed to educate and engage dance audiences of all ages.
Mission Statement
To support dance creation, presentation, education, and preservation; and to engage and deepen public appreciation and support for dance.
Presentation
World premieres, U.S. debuts, master and emerging artists, and collaborations with composers, visual artists, and writers comprise over 160 performances presented each Festival season.
Creation
New work and the development of the art form are supported through commissions, the Creative Development Residency program, and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award.
Education
The School at Jacob's Pillow provides training by eminent faculty that not only produces great dancers, but also great artists. The Intern Program, Public School Programs, and Community Classes educate people of all ages about the art of dance.
Preservation
The Pillow is a National Historic Landmark with rare and extensive dance Archives encompassing materials from 1894 through today. The photography collections, films, library, exhibits, and video viewing stations are free and open to the public.
Engagement
The general public, students, scholars and artists are invited to experience dance through more than 200 free performances and talks, rehearsals, class observation, tours and interaction with artists, scholars, writers, filmmakers, and composers.
