For more than 30 years, Ohio Dance has been an inclusive umbrella for dancers, choreographers, dance companies of all sizes and styles, and dance educators in studios, schools, and colleges and universities throughout the state.
Through festivals, conferences, educational resources, networking opportunities, newsletters and dance artist services; OhioDance has created a partnership for all members of the dance community to showcase their talent and connect with other dancers.
Throughout the year, OhioDance holds regional festivals in different areas of the state to help dancers gain exposure for their craft and connect with communities. These festivals are a great resource for dancers to build connections and to acquire future work.
In addition to providing professional development opportunities, the festivals offer the chance for the public to connect with dancers, share in the celebration of dance, and try out a few new moves. This year, OhioDance’s spring festival was held at BalletMet Columbus. Festival attendees had the opportunity to enjoy performances by professional dancers and to get involved by participating in dance classes. The dance classes ranged from traditional ballet to roller derby inspired movement to African, Indian, and Spanish dancing.
In an effort to make the dance festival accessible to a wider audience, OhioDance shuttled students from Columbus Public Schools to attend the performances—creating a memorable experience in movement arts that students don’t always have access to in traditional schools.
This fall, OhioDance will co-host a regional festival and conference Dance Matters: Moving Forward at Ohio University School of Dance, Film and Theatre, Division of Dance in Athens, Ohio, October 23-25, 2015. Featuring guest artist Kyle Abraham the conference is inspired by the idea that no matter what changes, dance will always forge ahead creatively, kinesthetically, and intellectually.
OhioDance offers several performances in Columbus throughout the year. Next April 22-24, OhioDance will hold the 2016 Festival and Conference co-sponsored by BalletMet Columbus. On June 24, 2016, OhioDance will present a FREE performance of multicultural dance as part of the Ohio Statehouse Summer Friday Series.
For more information or tickets: ohiodance.org or contact Jane by email at [email protected] or by phone: (614)-224-2913.
GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.