The CAC is excited to host the 2026 The International Dance Festival New Orleans
The International Dance Festival New Orleans (IDFNOLA) brings the world to the Gulf South, pairing the city's rhythm and creativity with bold voices from across the globe. Equal parts performance, film, and conversation, the festival transforms New Orleans into a gathering place for artists who build connection, exchange ideas, and move through the world with purpose.
About IDFNOLA
The International Dance Festival New Orleans (IDFNOLA) is a project of BODYART, a New Orleans-based contemporary dancecompany founded in 2006 by Leslie Scott. Now in its fourth year, IDFNOLA is dedicated to building a platform for contemporarydance in New Orleans and across the Gulf South, fostering cross-cultural exchange between local, national, and international artists.The festival presents performances, masterclasses, artist panels, a dance film festival, and networking opportunities each September,with a commitment to making contemporary dance accessible to new and established audiences alike.
About Leslie Scott
Leslie Scott is a creative entrepreneur, choreographer, and arts leader whose work spans performance, education, andinstitution-building. She is the founder and Artistic Director of BODYART, the creator of IDFNOLA, and serves as Associate Dean ofPerforming Arts and Associate Professor of Dance + New Media at Tulane University. Her choreographic work has been presented atJazz at Lincoln Center, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, JOMBA! International in South Africa, and venues across New Zealand, Chile,and Malaysia, among others.
