Dance Houston

WHY WE DANCE

Dance Houston serves artists and children in need. Our programs consist of concert presentation, dance education, and artist representation. These programs work together to improve the quality of dance in Houston, the lives of children, the careers of local dancers, and opportunities for the public to experience the art of dance.

EDUCATION

Dance can be a powerful tool to bring about positive changes in children's lives. Through our educational programs, we encourage physical fitness, cultural appreciation, and cogitative development. Our instructors are carefully selected, screened, and trained, and then placed in programs in which their backgrounds and skills match the needs of the students. We have programs in schools, residential treatment centers, and neighborhood parks. In order to help replace art curriculum that has been cut from public schools, we also offer our services at schools throughout Houston.

Our summer dance camp provides beginning and advanced training in diverse styles of dance. Designed specifically with the working parent in mind, of what is available in Houston, our camp is the most accessible summer program in terms of hours, prices, and locations. Full and partial scholarships are available to children in need. The camps culminate in concerts at downtown venues.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Dance programs provided by Dance Houston address youth drug abuse by instilling an interest in positive activities. Programs are also available to help victims of child abuse learn to improve self-esteem and self-expression.

The "Totally Fit!" Program focuses on improving physical fitness and addresses obesity issues. The goal of Totally Fit! is to encourage girls to get in better shape through dance. Dance Houston partners with a team of nutritionists, nurses and professional counselors to ensure the pursuit of healthy lifestyles in every participant.

ARTS & CULTURE

Through the coordination of multiple dance festivals, we present the vast majority of dance companies in Houston. Festivals include companies of all types--from youth and recreational companies to world-class professional companies. We present each festival in a venue that matches the artistry of the participants and the preferences of the target audience. These venues range from suburban community centers to the finest theaters in downtown Houston. Featuring a wide variety of dance styles, all Dance Houston festivals celebrate diversity and encourage the advancement of all forms of dance. To improve the quality of our concerts and the performances therein, we arrange for dance presenters from Houston and other major cities to review performances by emerging artists and offer professional feedback on their concepts, compositions, and dancers' techniques.

ENTERTAINMENT

Throughout all our programming, Dance Houston serves as a management company for dance artists. We are committed to helping artists accomplish their artistic and professional goals. In addition to evaluating their performances, we also create jobs for them. Many artists receive compensation for performing in our festivals, and we are employing an increasing number of artists to teach in our educational programs. Furthermore, we manage bookings for companies to perform their concert work, and for free-lance dancers to engage in commercial work. As funds are available and all these programs continue to grow, we will offer more and more paid opportunities for dancers to perform and to teach. In doing so, we will improve the prospects of dance artists making a living in Houston, the quality of dance performances, and the opportunity for the public to appreciate the art of dance.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

All we do is intended to give back to the vibrant, diverse, and thriving community that makes our organization possible. While we have been successful over the past eight years in increasing dance opportunities, education and appreciation in Houston, our mission has no limit -- and much more good can be done.

We have the structures and programs in place to implement our mission, and we are asking you to partner with us to further impact the Houston community. We work to serve our community... to inspire audience members, to catapult the career of undiscovered artists, and to provide positive activities and role models for children. We would appreciate your generous support of our organization.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• education
• health
• fitness
• wellbeing
• child services
• entertainment
• dancing
• weight loss
• obesity
• racism
• drub addiction