Statements

Mission

The mission of Friends of Metro Dance is to enhance, enrich and encourage the support of the Metro Parks Dance Division programs through funding and volunteerism.

Background

In 1991, Metro Dance Associates formed to fund additional freelance dance instructors and expand the Metro Parks Dance Division class offerings. In 1995, the organization obtained non-profit status and now supports the Dance Division beyond the scope of government funding. The group funds performances by Centennial Youth Ballet and sponsors special dance-related activities including a summer dance intensive for teens, free community programs, continuing education for faculty, student scholarships, and master classes open to Dance Division students and the general public. Additionally, Friends of Metro Dance equips and maintains three state of the art dance studios at Centennial Performing Arts Studios, a moveable Marley floor at the Looby Theater and helps equip studios in community centers in Davidson County. Friends of Metro Dance has been critical to sustaining affordable dance education within the public sector in Nashville.

Impact

1) Completed the 2021 Mini-Nutcracker public performance with Centennial Youth Ballet and lower level youth ballet dancers. The 2022 Mini-Nutcracker is planned to perform December 2-4, 2022. 2) Completed Dancing with Parkinson's classes which were moved outdoors to the Centennial Art Center for safety precautions during COVID. Funding from CFMT has allowed for more sessions during the year. 3) Completed the 2022 Illuminations: Spring Concert with Centennial Youth Ballet at the Looby Theater. The 2023 Spring Concert is scheduled for April 22-24, 2023. 4) Completed 2022 Centennial Youth Ballet Summer Intensive for youth dancers ages 12-18. The 2023 Summer Intensive is scheduled to be held June 5-16, 2023 at the Centennial Performing Arts Studios.5) Provided funding for additional rehearsal coaches, dance instructors and guest artists for Centennial Youth Ballet.6) Added new performance costuming for Mini-Nutcracker and the Spring Concert.7) Provided tuition scholarships for students who need financial assistance, as well as for dance attire required for the classes. 8) Continue to grow the Performance Pointe Shoe Fund which provide each advanced dancer of the Mini-Nutcracker with one pair of new pointe shoes.9) Funds several planned outreach dance programs in the community centers, including workshops led by Windship Boyd in the Spring of 2023 for youth and seniors. Plan to hold a Spring Break Camp with Windship Boyd and guest artists from Guinea Conakry to teach after-care students West African dancing, drumming, culture, geography and cooking. 10) Completed Orpheus Reimagined, a performance event at the Parthenon that was a collaboration between artistic partners Duncan Dance South and Portara Ensemble and community partner FOMD and the Centennial Park Conservancy. 11) Worked on a Three-Year Strategic Plan, including reviewing the mission, vision and work of the non-profit.12) Completed POOL, a performance presented by Asia Pyron / PYDANCE at the Centennial Art Center as part of their 50th Anniversary exploration of the building's former use as a whites-only swimming pool. 13) Plan to create artist residencies January-May 2023 to foster the creation of new works. Artists will engage in feedback sessions throughout the process, participate in a final showing at Centennial Performing Arts Studios, and have film documentation of their work.

Needs

1) Funding for Dancing with Parkinson's program ($6,000/yr)2) Funding for student tuition and uniform scholarships ($12,500/yr)3) Funding for AfricaNashville, a project to bring 4 guest artists from West Africa for community workshops, master classes, a spring break camp, and performances ($7000) 4) Funding for the Centennial Youth Ballet Summer Intensive ($15,000/yr)5) Funding for Animata Arts and other cultural arts events ($5000/yr) 6)Funding to send 10 students to the National High School Dance Festival ($10,000)

CEO Statement

Friends of Metro Dance sustains a high-quality public dance program in Nashville that welcomes students from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds and creates a supportive environment where students of all shapes, sizes, and abilities can gain the social, physical and creative benefits of dance education. Friends of Metro Dance also successfully maintains a high level of parent and volunteer involvement in all aspects of programming from ushering at performances to making costumes to fundraising.

Board Chair Statement

Thank you for your support. Your donations will help support scholarships for young dancers, provide guest instructors for specialty dance classes, create performance opportunities, enhance dance costumes, improve the dance facilities and environment, and contribute to other community dance programs, including free Parkinson's classes.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Dance
Secondary Category:	Youth Development  -
Tertiary Category:	Public & Societal Benefit  -

Areas Served

Friends of Metro Dance supports dance programs in Davidson County serving residents of Davidson and bordering counties.

TN - Davidson