Performing Arts Commissions

Since the 1960s, the Walker has supported the creation of new performance work by providing artists with financial support and often other resources, such as space, time, and technical or curatorial expertise. By commissioning performance work, the Walker plays an active role in encouraging performing artists to expand their practices, forge new types of collaborations, and/or realize works at a scale or complexity that would not otherwise be possible.

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To date, the Walker has commissioned more than 300 new works by some of the most influential performing artists of our time, including:

• Alwin Nikolais, Vaudeville of the Elements (1965)

• Trisha Brown Dance Company, Glacial Decoy (1979)

• Robert Wilson/David Byrne, The Knee Plays (1984)

• Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Fabrications (1987)

• Lee Breuer/Bob Telson, The Gospel at Colonus (1987)

• Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Still/Here (1994)

• Meredith Monk, The Politics of Quiet (1998)

• Ralph Lemon, How can you stay in the house all day and not go anywhere? (2004)

• Sarah Michelson, Daylight (for Minneapolis) (2005)

• Cynthia Hopkins, Must Don’t Whip ’Em (2007)

• Eiko & Koma, Naked (2008)

• Young Jean Lee, Untitled Feminist Show (2012)

• Ragamala Dance/Rudresh Mahanthappa, Song of the Jasmine (2014)

• Maria Hassabi, STAGING (2017)

• Meg Stuart & Jompet Kuswidananto/Damaged Goods: Celestial Sorrow (2019)

• Cecile McLorin Salvant, Ogresse: Envisioned (2022)

• Ligia Lewis, A Plot/A Scandal (2024)

Download a full list here