The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) and the Civis Foundation has announced the nine works selected for the second year of The Democracy Cycle, a multi-year program supporting artists whose work explores the many facets of democracy. 

The artists and artistic collaborations and projects chosen to receive the 2025 Democracy Cycle commissions are Andrea Ambam's Twelve Angry Black Women, Holly Bass' Civilities, or How to Secede Without Really Trying, Justine F. Chen's Museum of the Unamericans, David Dorfman's The Front Line, Molly Joyce's Criptocracy, Samora Pinderhughes' I Hope This Finds You Well, Sofía Rei and Jasmine Garsd's Reinitas, Daniel Leeman Smith and Blossom Johnson's Proclamation to the Great White Father and All His People, and Nathan Yungerberg's Barry, The 1970s Black Comedy Spinoff That Never Happened.

This year's works represent a wide range of themes, including a futurist choral satire examining anti-Asian legislation, a documentary play about a historic Indigenous occupation of Alcatraz showing how freedom of assembly and speech can advance political equality, a dance piece built around the experiences of poll workers, and a reimagining of Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men as told through a Black feminist lens (this will get a reading January 29 and 30).

Launched in January 2024, the Democracy Cycle is providing 25 commissions across theatre, opera, dance, music, and multidisciplinary practices. Eight more commissions will be announced in 2026. The artists will each receive $60,000 in support, consisting of a $30,000 commission and another $30,000 for project development.

Submissions for The Democracy Cycle’s next open call for proposals will begin February 9. Artists currently creating in theatre, dance, music, opera, and multidisciplinary practices are encouraged to apply. 

For more information, visit PACNYC.org.