Funders to approach for Shaleigh Dance Works

Exempt Purpose ShaLeigh Dance Works (SDW) is a nonprofit, dance-theater company dedicated to inspiring people of all abilities, social backgrounds, cultures, and generations with the tranformative power of dance. Each year, SDW creates programming at the intersection of art, culture, and social change to enrich our communities. Under the direction of founder and artistic director ShaLeigh Comerford, SDW is recognized for its socially conscious works, expansive movement language, and commitment to community action. With a focus on artistic excellence, nuturing artists, and designing programs to empower those impacted by marginalization, SDW amis to provide a concrete example of how dance can transform peoples lives and enrich society. CREATING DANCE THEATRE - continued for their programs as well as a diverse collaborative artistic team of performers, designers, and creators. SDW is led by Artistic Director ShaLeigh Comerford with projects that de-center sight Co-Directed by Davian Robinson. SDW Company members are artistic collaborators who contribute not only as outstanding performing artists but also as activists and cultural entrepreneurs who develop projects that serve the community. We believe that what we do in the studio can positively affect the world outside. Witn an uncompromising focus on artistic excellence, nuturing artists, and designing programs to empower communities impacted by marginalization, we aim to provide a concrete example of how dance can transform peoples lives and enrich society. Breaking Barriers - continued of art, culture, and social change to uplift and enrich our communities. The company offers multiple performances each year that bring mixed-ability movers to professional stages as paid collaborators and panel discussions on making dance inclusive and welcoming to people of all abilities. Community Classes: Our donation-only classes were first available to the public in 2014 and are offered to people of all ages and abilities. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds. These in-person and virtual classes offer ShaGa, a healing movement practice, as a way to provide connection and community through movement in an open and welcoming atmosphere. By Community Classes - continued access, building community, and providing opportunities for healing. Artist Mentorship Lab - continued us through a residency that aims to develop and nourish the artistic growth of company dancers while also offering opportunities to community dancers through open workshops. Apprenticeship - Providing community dancers with professional training opportunities in ShaGa and artistic development through performance. The program is for aspiring professionals who have significant interest in creating work and engagement programs as advocates for social change. Teacher Trainings - Our ShaGa Teacher Training Program augments our movement language and trains the next generation of ShaGa Teachers to expand our reach. Teacher Trainings - continued Our Movement Mentor Teacher Training Program teaches how to break the barriers to dance by engaging in a more accessible environment and methodology to engage low vision and blind dancers in public dance spaces. 2024 Highlights In addtion to our regular programs, this past year we hosted low vision Canadian Multimedia Artist Audrey Anne Bouchard for a creative resdidency at The American Dance Festival to expand our research and development of designing inclusive practices for the low vision and blind communities. We also received a year-long residency at the American Dance Festivals Scripps Studios for the creation of our 2024 world premiere, enVISION: The Next Chapter which premiered in July as a part of ADFs 91st Season for an unprecedented 10-show run, a first for the prestigious festival. SDW saw the following impactful outcomes: - Program Pilot, 15 at Januarys enVISION panel discussion, and 800 at the world premiere of enVISION: The Next Chapter in July 2024. - In June of 2024, SDW held an open showing and master class with approximately 50 people in attendance at ADF - Over 44 artists came together to create enVISION: The Next Chapter in July of 2024. We worked with 44 artists including 12 dancers, 10 of which participated in the movement mentor training; 7 BVI experts, 1 audio describer, 3 DHH experts, 2 ASL Interpreters, 2 projection designers, 5 consultants, 3 documentarians, a live musician, composer, props master, and designers for sound, lighting, costumes, set and text. - We saw a documented increase in attendence of BVI and D/HH individuals at our - across all public facing events - We saw an increase in inclusion of BVI and D/HH individuals at our performances, classes and engagement programs across all public facing events - We were able to make signficant advancement in artistic practices utilizing the aesthetic of…