Second Annual Teranga Conference
Guardians of Culture: Building Sanctuary through Art and Education
Dates: June 12th – 14th, 2026
Location: Ailey Extension / Gibney Studios
The Teranga Conference is an interdisciplinary performing arts and educational cultural conference rooted in the traditions, histories, and contemporary realities of the African Diaspora. Returning for its second annual convening, the 2026 conference expands its scope to include a formal symposium component, inviting artists, educators, scholars, elders, and community practitioners to share research, practice, and embodied knowledge.
At a time when communities of color—particularly immigrant communities—face intensified threats rooted in racism, classism, and systemic exclusion, Teranga positions culture as sanctuary. Through dance, education, and collective exchange, the conference creates a protected space for learning, storytelling, and movement that honors cultural inheritance and affirms our shared humanity.
This year’s conference brings together youth, educators, artists, researchers, and community members for a three-day experience centered on cultural exchange, dance, scholarship, and performance.
Conference Theme
Guardians of Culture: Building Sanctuary through Art and Education
This theme envisions artists and educators as stewards of cultural knowledge. Dance and education become tools to defend against dehumanization—building spaces where movement, memory, and inter-generational wisdom safeguard what is sacred.
Conference Overview
Day One: Youth Intensive at Gibney Studios
Day One of the conference will be a Youth Intensive at Gibney Studios. We invite K–12 dance students and educators from across New York City to take part in this special day of learning, movement, and cultural exchange.
This youth-centered intensive is designed to create an affirming space where young people can engage deeply with dance training, artistry, and the values of community and cultural preservation.
Days Two and Three: Ailey Extension
Days Two and Three of the conference will take place at Ailey Extension, featuring master dance workshops alongside presentations of research connected to the conference theme, “Guardians of Culture: Building Sanctuary through Art and Education.”
These days will bring together artists, educators, scholars, and cultural practitioners in a shared space of embodied learning, dialogue, and exchange.
Signature Performance
KASSOUMAII
Saturday, June 13, 2026
On Saturday night, June 13th, our annual production KASSOUMAII will take place, featuring choreographic research from some of our community’s best and brightest minds, alongside performances by the Kofago Dance Ensemble.
KASSOUMAII is a signature part of the Teranga experience, offering an evening of movement, storytelling, and cultural expression that reflects the brilliance, depth, and creative power of our communities.
What TERANGA Means
TERANGA: To Welcome
At its core, this event is about bringing community together. That is the spirit of TERANGA, which means “to welcome” in the Wolof language of the people of Senegal.
The Teranga Conference embodies this energy by creating a space where people feel seen, honored, and invited into a shared experience of learning, culture, and collective care.
The Teranga Conference is more than a gathering. It is a cultural home space for movement, memory, scholarship, and community.
Applications are now closed.
Stay tuned for the presentation lineup and additional conference updates.