Sonja Kostich, Chief Executive & Artistic Officer (CEAO) Kaatsbaan, Dutch for “a playing field,” was founded in 1990 and received not-for-profit 501(c)3 status the following year. After a 3-year search, the historic Tivoli Farms was chosen as the ideal setting to build the dream facility. Tivoli Farms, once the equestrian playground of Eleanor Roosevelt, was purchased in 1997 with the financial assistance of two supporting individuals. After developing a comprehensive multi-phase Business Plan and Master Plan and receiving all permits and approvals from the Village of Tivoli, Phase 1 construction began in 1999. Funding for Phase 1 was provided via the issuance of $3.9 million in Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Bonds with additional funding from the NYS Environmental Protection Agency, the NYS Community Block Grant program, and multiple individual donors. The studios, black box theater, roads, parking, and all underground utilities were completed in 2000 as part of Phase 1. In 2002, an additional $1.25 million was awarded by NYS Governor George Pataki for the construction of The Dancers’ Inn. The Dancers’ Inn was completed in 2003. Since then, Kaatsbaan’s remarkable and influential dance facilities have paved the way for other dance organizations in the Hudson Valley. Under new leadership beginning, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park deepens it’s mission toprovide an extraordinary environment for cultural innovation and excellence. As both an incubator for creativity and presenter for world-class artists in dance, theater, music, film, poetry, culinary and visual arts, Kaatsbaan provides artists with state-of-the-art dance studios, accommodations, an indoor theater, and two outdoor stages. Sitting on 153 Hudson River-adjacent acres, Kaatsbaan is free of urban facilities’ space and time constraints, allowing for exciting levels of artistic exploration, creative action, and achievement – just two hours north of New York City.