ABOUT DANCE UMBRELLA
OUR
MISSION / GOALS
Dance
Umbrella believes that dance helps describe, define, and deepen
our experience of living. For us, dance is a kinetic form of communication,
which includes all forms of movement and physical expression.
Dance
Umbrella's operating mission is to promote the knowledge, appreciation,
practice and performance of dance. With the goal of expanding
audiences and support for dance, Dance Umbrella works to encourage
innovative and meaningful communication between artists and the
entire community.
Dance
Umbrella facilitates the interactions among the various roles
involved in creating, performing, presenting, teaching and observing
the arts. Dance Umbrella develops programs that encourage and
facilitate learning at all levels and specifically supports the
work of contemporary movement artists who are emerging onto the
national and international dance arena. Dance Umbrella's presentations
are meant to educate, challenge, inspire and expand audiences
by communicating to the community the power, history and culture
of dance.
OUR HISTORY
Dance
Umbrella was founded in 1977 as a collective of choreographers
and dancers seeking to develop a thriving community of dance in
Austin. Over the years Dance Umbrella has expanded to include
a world community of professional, new and emerging dance and
movement artists.
During
our 27 years as a non-profit arts organization we have acquired
a reputation for excellence by: Presenting world class contemporary
dance artists to the Austin and Central Texas public; Creating
dynamic educational programs; Developing community-based projects;
and Building future audiences for dance.
Dance
Umbrella administers three program areas:
SERVICE
TO THE COMMUNITY
Since 1977, Dance Umbrella has actively participated in the lives
of artists by providing services that broaden and deepen their
professional potential. Current Services available to DU Members
include: 501 c (3) Umbrella * Project Development * Resource Identification
* Grant Writing Assistance * Advertising Discount with Local Newspapers
* Use of Non-Profit Bulk Mail Account * Membership in Public Employees
Credit Union * Information Listings in Dance Umbrella Quarterly
Newsletter * Business Networking Resources.
EDUCATION
All of Dance Umbrella’s work is intrinsically educational
and has been regarded as some of the most innovative work in arts
education nationwide. Educational programming focuses both on
community and professional artists. Community programming has
included: arts activities for the general public, pre and post
show lectures, workshops, performances and residencies in local
schools through our YouthArts/Cultural Enrichment Program and
corporate events. Local artists have been offered professional
development workshops and master classes. Dance Umbrella has on-going
relationships with Austin schools, civic and community organizations
as well as local and national corporations.
PRESENTING
Since 1987, Dance Umbrella has developed a model for presenting
which has catapulted the organization into the national arts arena.
Dance Umbrella residencies connect national and international
artists with the Austin community and are designed to maximize
communication and exchange with audiences. Over the years, Dance
Umbrella has presented over 65 companies in 180 performances reaching
39,000 audience members.
Activities with visiting artists include workshops, panel discussions,
professional masterclasses, pre and post performance discussions,
and the commission of new work. Residencies last from one week
to six months.
"For
years, DU has consistently engaged innovative artists who help
audiences find new ways of 'seeing.'
From Donald Byrd to 33 Fainting Spells, DU's visiting artists
are worth paying special attention to." -- The Austin Chronicle
