MISSION: Dancing in the Streets (Dancing) strives to illuminate the urban experience with free public performances and site-specific installations that examine the kinetic life and history of natural and architectural public spaces. Its productions explore the intersection of the arts and the city, strengthen community life through active engagement with the arts, diversify audiences, and serve as catalysts for the celebration of urban life.
HISTORY: Since Dancing was founded in 1984, it has commissioned, produced and presented more than 500 performances and installations by over 300 contemporary artists. It has garnered local, national and international praise for its large-scale performances, site-specific productions, and festivals that have revitalized public spaces and helped break the barrier too often existing between art and the general public. Dancing was founded by Elise Bernhardt and has been under the leadership of Aviva Davidson since 1998.
COMPANY IN RESIDENCE AT CASITA MARIA: On January 31, 2011, Dancing in the Streets became a Company in Residence at the 76-year old Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Through this strategic alliance, the two organizations are pooling their resources and areas of expertise to develop programs that neither organization could implement on its own. The two organizations are collaborating on HIP HOP GENERATION NEXT 2011: From the South Bronx to East Asia and on ArtWorks, a 4-week arts and career building internship for teenagers from the Hunts Point and Longwood sections of the Bronx. They are also planning future collaborative projects that will explore and celebrate the global impact of the rich cultural legacy of the South Bronx.
