It exists to serve the creative needs of artists—emerging, mid-career and established—who are creating new work in theater, dance, music, literature, puppetry, performance, variety and visual arts.

[1] Many well-known artists, including Ivy Baldwin,[2] Blue Man Group, Laura Peterson,[3] Monica Bill Barnes,[4] John Leguizamo, Lisa Kron, David Cale, Jane Comfort, Risa Jaroslow, Penny Arcade, Katy Pyle, Peggy Shaw, Douglas Dunn, Deb Margolin and Reno, began their careers at Dixon Place.

After starting Dixon Place as a salon in her Paris apartment in the summer of 1985, Covan re-launched the endeavor in her East Village living room the following year.

[8] Expanded programming, along with an increased staff and audience, prompted another move in 1999, when Dixon Place became the resident company at the Vineyard Theater's 26th Street space.

Commissioning Program that supports eight theater, dance and music creators annually by providing them with 1-3 months of workshop time, followed by 1-4 weeks of production performances.