Program:
Trolley Dances
- Budget:
-
$75,000
- Category:
-
Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Program Description:
San Diego Dance Theater has truly carved a creative niche in the San Diego arts scene. Trolley Dances was created in 1999 as a collaboration between SDDT and the Metropolitan Transit System. Each year, Artistic Director Isaacs invites choreographers with diverse aesthetics and styles from around the U.S. and Mexico to create six site-specific works for different venues along an established San Diego trolley route. Past performance spaces have included the escalator of a shopping center, the banks of the San Diego River, the inside of a hotel room, a library, a sports bar and a fountain. The distinctiveness of these different venues creates creative challenges for the 50 dancers who bring each piece to life. In 2008, we inaugurated our Kids on Board program that enabled students from underserved neighborhoods the opportunity to watch a special performance of Trolley Dances and to participate in workshops teaching public art/dance.
Program Long-Term Success:
The long-term success of the program is measured by the numbers of neighborhoods served where live dance performances are not available. The ultimate change will result in building and sustaining a diverse audience for dance and continuing to provide young dancers a platform to view a professional dance performance or to perform in Trolley Dances. Our Kids on Board program will continue to enrich students with dance experiences that are inspiring, that include all sizes, colors, and ages of dancers and that convey the message that the arts represent a valid life choice. Long term, Trolley Dances, increases rider-ship on the trolley and encourages patrons to choose public transportation over cars whenever possible.
Program Short-Term Success:
Trolley Dances allows dancers in the community a true professional dance experience from the early stages of the audition process to the final stages of performance. The program also provides an avenue to reach out to local and international dance makers to expand their repertoire to make site-specific dance. It extends employment opportunities for many local dancers who have completed a college dance degree and are seeking work in San Diego. In our 12 years of producing Trolley Dances, 51 choreographers and 600 dancers have found employment through this project.
Program Success Monitored by:
Both in person paper surveys and on line surveys monitor the program’s success in attracting diverse audiences. Artistic Director Jean Isaacs takes an active role at the ticket booth and asks patrons about their experience after viewing the performance. Written critiques by colleagues in our field are also methods of gauging the program’s success. In-house debriefing occurs following each year's Trolley Dances, and includes SDDT staff, MTS representatives, artists and volunteer's feedback. We receive positive feedback from surveys and scores of emails and comments on our Facebook page and blogs. Also, since imitation connotes success, we have trademarked "Trolley Dances" and annually receive royalties from San Francisco's very successful "Trolley Dances."
Program Success Examples:
Awarded "Best Annual Art Event" by San Diego Magazine in 2007.
Audiences grew from 632 in 1999 to 2480 in 2010.
Program:
San Diego Young Choreographers Prize
- Budget:
-
$15,000
- Category:
-
Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Program Description:
San Diego Dance Theater's Artistic Director, Jean Isaacs and a panel of experts have selected 11 young choreographers out of 46 submissions to present newly created dance works in a competition for a $2,500 prize. A panel of local dance and art patrons and enthusiasts, along with audience participation, will select a winning dance and the choreographer will take home this generously donated gift from Danah Fayman, a long time supporter of local dance. This investment in Gen X choreographers will help grow a new group of Dance Makers and provide for the region, recognition of and resources for the next generation of San Diego's choreographers.
Program Long-Term Success:
This program will help to promote and foster the next generation of dance makers and provide a consistent platform to express their artistic visions. The purpose and continuance of the program is to provide resources and opportunities so that the next generation of artists continues to play a vital role in our community. These artists represent the future of dance in our community and this event provides us with the opportunity to discover the next generation of dance pioneers.
Program Short-Term Success:
At the end of the event, we will have premiered 11 new dance works by San Diego's emerging young choreographers and selected the recipient of the first San Diego's Young Choreographers Prize.
Program Success Monitored by:
The program success is yet to be determined as this year marks our first year of the program. Our intent is that we will continue to encourage young choreographers to have a strong appetite for making new work. However, we are encouraged by the number of applicants.
Program Success Examples:
The program success is yet to be determined, as this program will inaugurate on December 19, 2010. The high volume of participants that submitted applications can serve as a tool to measure the enthusiasm for the program. It is evident that there is a high interest from choreographers in our community that have the appetite to create new work and need a professional arena to exhibit their talents.
Program:
Muestra Coreografica
- Budget:
-
$12,000
- Category:
-
Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Program Description:
This is a three-day conference consisting of a dance exchange in which San Diego Dance Theater hosts 3 professional dance companies from Mexico, along with 3 from the U.S. This program establishes a connection with our neighboring country, enabling each dance company to share their work with one another. This was a one-time grant and due to lack of funding we are not able to able to sustain the program to continue the exchange.
Program Long-Term Success:
The ultimate change will result in increased cultural tourism between both U.S. and Mexico and each dance company will continue this rapport of cultural exchange.
Program Short-Term Success:
The short-term success of the program is that it allows dancers in our local community the opportunity to collaborate with professional Mexican dance companies and gain a greater understanding of their culture and artistic visions and vice-versa.
Program Success Monitored by:
Critical reviews in printed and electronic media is a tool to track success. Career dancers/choreographers can make a living in our region. The numbers and kinds of dance programming continues to grow and a vibrant dance scene takes its place with theater and music to create visibility for the San Diego Arts scene.
Program Success Examples:
Media Coverage: a nice preview was presented in the San Diego Union Tribune. Mexico City critic and scholar Margarita Tortajada came and participated in the critics corners along with local dance critic and UC Irvine dance scholar, so success is measured by willingness of established scholars to participate. Two of Mexicos best dance groups, Antares and Cuerpo Etereo participated along with dance photographers from both sides of the border.