ArtPlace is a collaboration of top national foundations, the National Endowment for the Arts and various federal agencies to accelerate creative placemaking across the U.S.
As many of you currently know or will soon know I am a strong advocate for the arts serving as public good. This was true of me prior to even training in dance and has always been a mantra I have stuck to in ALL of my endeavors. This unwavering commitment to the arts is what energized me to write this post.
I recently learned about Art Place, which is a new initiative created by a collaboration of various organizations and foundations that support artists and arts organizations in order to develop creative communities and to increase economic and cultural vitality. What’s even better is that the Motor City, was awarded a whopping $1.3 million dollars to develop arts communities along the Woodward Corridor. For those unfamiliar with the area–just know that’s a pretty big deal.
There are three projects that have received help from ArtPlace. I am particularly interested in the redevelopment of The Sugar Hills Arts District spearheaded by Midtown Detroit.
What does this have to do with Dance?
This is the beginning of something for not only Woodward Avenue but all of Detroit. By being funded these organizations and project have been validated by our government as essential to our city’s continued growth. I have passed by the future home of this arts and cultural center and have thought I wonder what that would look like as a center for performing arts. The support from organizations such as Art Place proves to me that others see the great potential of the city as well.
As a dance artist and administrator I am even more interested in the “how”. “How” can dance artists exist in the development of the process and cultural center. “How” can we create collaborations with other artists.
The How: To the Business Men and Women and Dance Enthusiasts!
Where are the dance studios? Schools? Institutions? I think sometimes we (artists) imagine a world where people will be throwing money at dance organizations. However, it just doesn’t work like that. I am Imported “to” Detroit and can see the incredible work that dance artists are producing. Dancers, choreographers, teachers, critics are working and creating. These artists need space to work and cultivate their craft. Though there’s tons of “free” space these artists these spaces can be unreliable, unaffordable,and do not suit the needs of dance artists. Your support even if it’s nothing but a recommendation is essential in the development of the Detroit dance scene’s presence. The redevelopment of the Sugar Hills Arts District could serve as a springboard for dance artists to be recognized as legitimate artists. However, it takes work and more importantly support.
To All My Dance Artists (3 Short and Sweet Ideas)
1. Get off Your Butt and Let’s Mobilize
2. Get our act together and build relationships with other artists
3. Network with the business heads (like Midtown Detroit, Art Place)
We have got to stop blaming MoTown for supporting other arts such as music or visual art. We have to be more business savvy and actually put in some business work. I think this is a great start for the dance scene here in Detroit and gives me hope that one day we WILL be “Dancing in the WOODWARD Streets”….and a 5,6,7,8.
What do you think? How do you see dance developing in Detroit?
Just for Fun:
Martha and the Vandellas (MoTown, Holla!)
