Dear LAAMD readers,

Hello and Happy New Year! Here’s to a great year ahead.

Now 4 years into this project, I am thrilled how it has evolved and grown. I wanted to share with you what the priorities will be for 2016.

Still at the heart of the project are the artist profiles, when I ask artists in their 30s-80s about their careers. I will share 3 profiles a month. Artists already writing profiles in 2016 include Reggie Wilson, Keith A. Thompson, Elisa Monte, Banning Bouldin, Elizabeth McPherson, Jo Kreiter, and Rosana Barragan. 

Whether through the artist profiles or other features, I have a goal of having represented all 50 states by the end of 2016. So, the big question is, are there modern dancers throughout the United States? I am currently seeking artists from about 22 states. 

In 2015, I printed 11 city guides for modern dancers. I would like to create 5 more this coming year. If you would like to write about Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Seattle, Kansas City, or another city you would suggest, please write to randalldanceprojects@gmail.com. The city guide for Austin, Texas will be shared in February.

Each month, there will be at least 10 posts on the site. We will continue with the monthly features of:

• Becoming a Teaching Artist
• Building a Dance Company
• Becoming an Artists Administrator

I also look forward to more posts with Gibney Dance and other arts organizations throughout the country. 

Each month, I will also be sharing ideas from my “365 Dancing Words” Project. From August 2014-August 2015, I took a moment every day to write down a dance idea on my mind. I will share these key words and ideas as weekly inspiration for you as well. 

Last, throughout 2016 I will be featuring “Leaders in Dance.” Dancers will write about other artists who have been inspirational to the field and to them personally as dance makers, teaching artists, administrators, activists, and innovators. Stay tuned to learn more about Kathryn Humphreys and Ashley Thorndike-Youssef.

It will be another exciting year of sharing information, stories, and resources. Since its inception, the work for the blog has been 100% voluntary. I contribute several hours a week because I love and believe in this project. Hundreds of dancers have volunteered several hours to reflect and write for the project. Launching today, I have a Patreon account (kind of like a Kickstarter), so that you too can contribute towards this project. It is super easy! A commitment of a cup of coffee – $2/month – will help me build funds to pay the artists writing for the blog in 2016. Thank you for your support.

https://www.patreon.com/lifeasamoderndancer?ty=c

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!

 

Sincerely,

Jill Randall

Blog Director

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