The broad categories of the awards are: choreography, performance, music composition and visual design.
[1] The awards honor exceptional choreography, performance, music composition and visual design in dance and allied art forms.
[2] Nominees and award winners are chosen by the Bessie Selection Committee, which consists of dancers, dance presenters, producers, choreographers, journalists, critics and academics.
[3] Since 2010, the awards have been overseen by an independent steering committee in partnership with Dance/NYC and administered by Lucy Sexton.
[2] In their current iteration, the awards encompass a broader range of dance genres and supporting art forms than in the past, and offer an annual commission to an emerging artist.