2026 Dance Exchange
OAC Climate Institute
2026 OAC Climate Institute
July 23–26, 2026
Workspace for Choreographers | Sperryville, Virginia
At a time when many climate justice advocates are looking for meaningful ways to act, the Dance Exchange Climate Institute offers a space for collective practice, imagination, and renewal.
The 2026 Organizing Artists for Change (OAC) Climate Institute is a four-day immersive gathering exploring how dance, movement, embodied experience, and creativity can support the climate movement by energizing action, building climate community, and opening space to imagine and practice life-giving futures.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for a cohort of 15 participants (including scholarship and work-study positions). We encourage early submission as space is limited. Scholarship and work-study applications received before June 10 will receive priority review.
Scholarships and Work Exchange Opportunities Available!
(please see below for more information)
Organizing with Artist for Change (OAC) Climate Institute
July 23–26, 2026 | Workspace for Choreographers, Sperryville, VA
Set at Workspace for Choreographers in Sperryville, Virginia—near Shenandoah National Park—the Institute includes shared field-based learning in the park that engages with climate research and environmental education.
Rooted in Dance Exchange’s decades-long embodied practice, Climate Wayfinding from The All We Can Save Project, and the work of collaborators across the climate movement, the Institute builds climate community through creative inquiry and collaboration.
Participants will spend time in movement and reflection practices, engage in climate storytelling and creative facilitation tools, share meals and dialogue with fellow participants, and explore how artistic practice can strengthen climate resilience and collective action.
No matter where you are on your creative or climate journey, the Institute offers opportunities to:
Engage in embodied and land-based learning practices
Explore creative tools for climate engagement and community-building
Work with climate storytelling, imagination, and artistic practice
Build relationships across artistic, educational, and climate fields
Participate in reflection practices supporting integration and next steps
Who is the Climate Institute for?
community organizers
climate organizers
socially engaged artists
culture workers
movement practitioners
facilitators
environmental educators
interdisciplinary creatives
Participants in past Institutes have included artists, educators, environmental organizers, healthcare practitioners, and community leaders from across the country.
What does the Institute Include?
Daily embodied movement practices grounded in body and place
Workshops on creative climate tools and approaches
Collaborative inquiry and dialogue sessions
Shared meals and reflection spaces
Beautiful and accessible housing options
Field experience in Shenandoah National Park
Closing session focused on integration and continuation
We look forward to gathering with you!
We are excited to open registration and welcome artists, climate workers, and community members into this year’s Climate Institute. Please note:
No prior climate expertise required
No dance experience required
Scholarships/work-study available
Accessibility accommodations available
All abilities welcome
All creative disciplines welcome
Ages 18+
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at registration@danceexchange.org.
Institute Schedule
Detailed schedule to be shared with registered participants.
Thursday, July 23
Evening Arrival & Opening Circle
Friday, July 24
Morning Embodied Practice
Workshops. & Creative Inquiry Sessions
Community Gatherings & Relection
Saturday, July 25
Morning Embodied Practice
Visit to Shenandoah National Park for a guided climate-focused learning experience
Community Gathering & Reflection
Sunday, July 26
Morning Embodied Practice
Closing Session & Integration & Next Steps
A Shared Learning Journey
The 2026 Climate Institute is designed as the entry point into a longer Climate Learning Arc.
It begins with a four-day gathering in July and continues into a sustained learning community from August through December.
Participants may:
Attend the Climate Institute as a standalone experience, and/or
Continue into the Climate Cohort for deeper, ongoing engagement
Climate Cohort
August–December 2026 | Bi-weekly Gatherings (Online)
How do we stay engaged in the work of climate action over time?
The Climate Cohort is a bi-weekly learning community that extends the Climate Institute, supporting sustained inquiry, creative practice, and climate engagement over time through shared reflection, connection, and collective support.
In the Climate Cohort, participants will:
Continue relationships and collaborations formed during the Institute
Deepen and refine climate-based creative practices
Receive feedback and support on developing ideas and projects
Engage in ongoing embodied and reflective practice
Stay connected to a community of artists and climate practitioners over time
Cohort Schedule
Bi-weekly Online Gatherings | 1st & 3rd Tuesdays | 6:30–8:00 PM ET
August–December 2026
Aug 4 & 18
Sept 1 & 15
Oct 6 & 20
Nov 3 & 17
Dec 1 & 15
Registration Process
We welcome artists, climate workers, and community members from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, locations, and experiences to register for this year’s Institute.
As part of the registration process, participants will complete a form that includes tuition payment, housing options to select from, and space to share access needs and emergency contact information. Once registered, participants will receive additional details about the Institute—including travel recommendations, what to pack, and resources to explore in advance.
Video Registration Option
To support greater accessibility, participants may choose to submit their registration information via video rather than a written form. This option is available for those who may find written communication challenging due to language barriers, disabilities, or other reasons. The video should address all questions included in the registration form. Please refer to the registration form for guidance on submitting a video.
Participation & Sliding Scale
Dance Exchange is committed to making the Climate Institute accessible while honoring the true costs of this work. We offer a sliding scale to support equity and community care. Please choose the rate that feels most appropriate for your circumstances.
Tuition includes participation in the full Climate Institute and Climate Cohort and four meals during the Institute. Housing costs are additional (please see below).
$500 – Movement Builder Rate
This rate helps cover your participation and supports scholarships for others. If you are able to contribute at this level, you help make the Institute more accessible for all.$450 – Standard Rate (True Cost)
This reflects the actual cost of running the Institute. Choosing this rate helps us sustain the full scope of the program.$400 – Community Access Rate
This reduced rate is available for those who need it. We invite you to select this option if the standard rate presents a barrier to participation.
If cost remains a barrier even at the Community Access rate, we encourage you to reach out—we’re actively working to increase access and may have additional scholarships available. We also welcome inquiries about work-study opportunities, which can offer a reduced tuition rate in exchange for helping support aspects of the Institute.
Housing Costs:
Double Occupancy: $125 per night (3 nights)
Single Occupancy: $250 per night (3 nights)
Housing Options:
Rose River Farm (shared cabins - option to stay 4 nights to depart Monday morning, July 27)
Hopkins Ordinary (Bed & Breakfast - Rosemary Room)
Housing on your own.
Participants will be asked to select housing preferences at registration.
Scholarships and Work Exchange
Scholarship and Work Exchange Application Deadline: June 10, 2026
Notifications by: June 17, 2026
Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available. Please indicate in your application that you would like to be considered for a scholarship. Registration deadline for scholarship applications is June 10, 2026.
Work Exchange: Dance Exchange is excited to offer two Work Exchange opportunities during this year's Climate Institute. Registration deadline for Work Exchange applications is June 10, 2026.
The Communications Work Exchange will involve offering remote support with various marketing and communications tasks leading up to, during, and immediately after the 2026 OAC Climate Institute. This role will also include documentation of the Institute and an opportunity to work closely with the Dance Exchange team in professional development and skill-building.
The Production Work Exchange will involve offering on-the-ground support with various Institute setup, tear down, check-in and registration, equipment and materials, and other tasks in relation to the producing of the Climate Institute itself. This role is a great professional development opportunity to work closely with Dance Exchange’s team and gain skills in the production of creative community engagements.
The two individuals who fulfill these Work Exchange positions will receive full or partial tuition coverage in exchange for their support. More details provided upon onboarding. Please indicate in your application if you would like to be considered for Work Exchange.
Health and Wellness Protocols
Dance Exchange is committed to supporting the health and well-being of everyone who enters our Community & Creative Hub. We follow the guidance of the Maryland Department of Health and Montgomery County and implement ongoing wellness practices to reduce the risk of spreading respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and colds.
If you are sick, please stay home.
All guests and renters entering the building must be in good health with:
Temperatures below 100.4 degree Fahrenheit
No symptoms of illness including coughing, sneezing, or fatigue
No one in their household is currently ill or testing positive for COVID-19
All participants and guests must not have tested positive for COVID-19 for the past 5 days.
Face coverings are welcome in common areas.
Individuals may choose to wear a mask in common areas such as lobbies, restrooms, and hallways based on their comfort level.
Accessibility at the Institute
Dance Exchange aims to make our programming as accessible as possible. All housing options are fully accessible. We are available to be in conversation around any access needs you may have, and how we can make it possible for you to participate in meaningful ways. Please reach out to us at registration@danceexchange.org or (301) 270-6700 x5.
Refund Policy
If you are unable to attend after paying in full, your payment may be credited toward a future Organizing with Artists for Change Institute within one calendar year. For questions, please contact registration@danceexchange.org.
Questions?
Contact stephenc@danceexchange.org or (301) 270-6700 x5 with questions or for registration assistance. We look forward to gathering, moving, and making with you this summer.
