The inaugural awards programme selected top choreographers following a nationwide search that attracted more than 800 applications, with original performances debuting at an immersive Halloween celebration.
The next generation of choreography talent took centre stage in Dallas on October 31, as the Daniel and Marcella Nutkis Charitable Foundation announced the inaugural recipients of its D&M Emerging Artist Awards, distributing $55,000 in unrestricted grants to three emerging artists.
The awards were unveiled during Through the Looking Glass, the 2026 edition of D&M Halloween, hosted by Daniel Nutkis and Marcella Raneri at Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG). The invitation-only celebration brought together fashion, performance and immersive production, with the announcement marking the launch of a new national initiative designed to support emerging creative talent.
Following a nationwide search that attracted more than 800 applications, four artists were selected to participate in the inaugural programme, which focused on Performance, Choreography & Movement. The selected artists travelled to Dallas for an intensive week of creative development, working alongside Raneri and industry mentors to develop original choreography before presenting their work on the evening’s Wonderland-inspired stage.
The three award recipients were chosen through a multi-stage selection process involving portfolio reviews, original choreography submissions and interviews, with judges like Alyssa Edwards recognising creative vision, originality and potential. The $55,000 in unrestricted funding will allow recipients to invest in their artistic development on their own terms, whether through further training, new work or future creative projects.
For Raneri, a dancer, choreographer and filmmaker whose career includes appearances on So You Think You Can Dance and Netflix’s Dancing Queen, the initiative reflects a personal commitment to giving emerging artists access to the resources, mentorship and professional opportunities needed to build sustainable creative careers.
The awards formed the centrepiece of Through the Looking Glass, which transformed Fashion Industry Gallery into an immersive interpretation of Alice in Wonderland. The evening combined theatrical installations, scenic design, music, live performance and fashion, with guests embracing the fantastical theme through elaborate costumes.
Raneri also made a statement in a custom costume by Italian designer brand ROCHART, featuring intricate crystal and rhinestone embellishments.
Beyond its Halloween festivities, the event offered a platform for emerging performers to showcase original work before an audience of industry figures and guests, bringing together fashion and the performing arts in support of a wider creative community.
The inaugural awards mark the beginning of a broader multidisciplinary programme from the Daniel and Marcella Nutkis Charitable Foundation. While the 2026 edition centred on choreography and movement, future programmes are expected to expand into two additional creative disciplines: Scenic, Installation & World-Building, and Costume, Fashion, Wearable Art & Character Design.
Through a combination of funding, mentorship, professional production experience and public visibility, the D&M Emerging Artist Awards aim to create new pathways for emerging artists and champion the next generation of creative voices.
Photo credits: @camilledufossewedding
Event Planner: Atelier L