Connectivity

Dance/USA strives to be a catalytic network enlivened by connection, community, and collaboration. We value calling people in as a practice of leading, listening, learning, and deepening our impact.

At its core, Dance/USA is a network building hub, leaning on the expertise, experiences, and wisdom of all the creative workers that call the dance ecosystem their home. 2023 embraced the collective knowledge of Dance/USA members and the greater field by facilitating deep and meaningful discussions among peers and with elected o icials.

Dance Community Roundtable

On January 13, Dance/USA hosted the Dance Community Roundtable before the start of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) 2023 Conference. The convening was curated using Open Space Technology, a methodology of running large group meetings or events around a central topic where participants create the agenda themselves. Speakers Shoni Currier, Bates Dance Festival; Anne Huang, World Arts West; Tariq O’Meally, formerly of Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center; and Francine She ield, Rhizome Arts Consulting; helped to lead and moderate the discussion with the 155 attendees about the state of grieving, healing, and reimagining within the dance ecosystem. This event was free and facilitated connections with creative workers across the entire dance community.

Virtual Conference: Extend

Dance/USA continued the conversations that began at the 2023 National Conference in Atlanta into the virtual space with the launch of Virtual Conference: Extend on October 18. The on-demand programming featured timely sessions with leaders from across the dance ecosystem as well as the memorable and inspiring Grounding Keynotes from Christal Brown, Ayanna Hudson, and Amber Cabral with Kellee Edusei, as well as the Opening Remarks at the Welcome Soiree from Edusei. Virtual Conference: Extend attendees from across the country continued to build their networks and invest in their professional development in this digital learning space.

Capitol Hill Initiative

In April, Dance/USA launched its inaugural Capitol Hill Initiative providing a cohesive opportunity for members of the dance community to address the immediate action on federal issues impacting the dance ecosystem. Twenty-one (21) Dance/USA Trustees and team members visited Capitol Hill to meet with o ices of 19 U.S. Representatives and Senators sharing real life experiences, stories, and research that highlighted the urgency and immediacy to:

• Increase FY2024 Appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

• Re-establish and increase federal incentives for charitable giving

• Improve the visa petition process and oppose the proposed filing fee increases

Since Dance/USA’s visit to Capitol Hill, Congress continues to consider FY2024 appropriations for the federal government. Dance/USA continues its relentless bipartisan advocacy in collaboration with other national arts-related partners for increased funding to all federal arts and cultural-related agencies. As a result of the Capitol Hill Initiative, Dance/USA helped increase interest from U.S. Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor bi-partisan legislation to reestablish and increase federal incentives for charitable giving.