A Letter From Kellee

Dear Friend,

I knew Dance/USA was at an inflection point as we entered 2023, teetering on the precipice of transformative change. And in the teetering, Dance/USA had to choose. Are we going to remain stuck where we are? Or, are we going to embrace the unknown by leaping o the precipice, trusting that we will make it to the other side?

2023 was the year Dance/USA took that leap. While we are certainly not on the other side of this moment of change, the past year has allowed us to cultivate deep relationships, pioneer innovative programming, and re-imagine how we manifest our core services.

As this pivotal year unfolded, it became clear that Dance/USA needed to celebrate the power of this community and document the transformational work that took place throughout 2023.

Therefore, it is my pleasure to share with you Dance/USA’s inaugural Impact Report. On the following pages you will explore the intricate ways in which Dance/USA served our member community and the greater dance ecosystem in alignment with our core values of Connectivity, Creativity, Equity, and Integrity.

You will read about the intensive 5-year financial trend analysis conducted by our Research Department, uncovering the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on dance companies. You will learn about some of the important conversations and valuable takeaways generated at the 2023 National Conference. And, you will discover how the critical restructuring of our Bylaws was catalytic in rooting our operational practices in equity.

The impact we have is profound, and it goes without question that these transformative changes would not have been possible without the support of our member community and dance advocates like you. Thank you for taking this leap with us; for supporting the essential work that needed to be done internally and in service to the dance ecosystem; for believing in the value of Dance/USA and its role within the broader arts and culture sector; and for being part of this community, which continues to show up for each other in ways I never could have imagined.

With your renewed support and ongoing engagement, Dance/USA will continue to lead, convene, advocate, and support the ecosystem that we all love. Please consider joining us in whatever way is most meaningful to you. This could be joining as an individual member or renewing your organization’s membership. This could be providing a tax-deductible donation of any size. Or, this could be participating as a panelist, attending a workshop, or joining us at a convening.

I extend my sincere gratitude to YOU and the many dancers, administrators, advocates, and allies like you who were an essential part of our transformative change this past year. I hope that you will join Dance/USA in making an impact on the dance ecosystem in 2024.

In humble service,

Kellee Edusei / Executive Director, Dance/USA