The FWDC officially launched the 2012 Outreach Campaign, and we are already over $1,000!! We need $4,000 more to reach our goal of $5,000. This campaign helps continue outreach programming in schools and places in the region that assist those with disabilities. Why is this important? Here are 5 reasons:
1. Dance is often the sole reason many students go to school and/or stay in school. FWDC’s outreach programs stimulate creativity and intellectual growth while contributing to emotional and physical well-being.
2. FWDC’s after school dance programs give students a positive, non-judgmental and safe environment to express themselves, exercise, form relationships, and feel a true sense of purpose and unity. These programs keep at-risk youth off the streets.
3. Dance teaches self discipline and teamwork which are skills that translate to better education and success in the workplace. The arts are uniquely capable of providing rich opportunities in exploring creativity and encouraging positive self-image.
4. Dancing allows those with physical/mental disabilities a chance to express themselves through movement despite their limitations. The arts are essential to opening new insights to the world and enriching our lives.
5. Dance provides physical/mental refreshment and relaxation.
The FWDC’s goal is to give students a balance in their lives so that they may be motivated, engaged, and enriched for a lifetime through early exposure to the arts, and by nurturing and encouraging their creative spirit. We hope you will join us in realizing our goal. We believe in “Dance for ANY Body, A Chance for EVERY Body!” If you would like to contribute to this initiative, you may do so by making a contribution online at fwdc.org/register or by stopping by our offices, or mailing a check to FWDC at 437 E. Berry St. Suite 203 Fort Wayne, 46802. We thank you for any amount you can contribute to keeping these programs going strong for many years to come. We cannot do it with YOU!
Current Outreach Programs of the Fort Wayne Dance Collective
- South Side High School
- Weisser Park Arts Magnet School
- Bunche Montessori Early Childhood Center
- St. John the Baptist School
- Hamilton Elementary School
- Forrest Park Elementary School via Youtheatre
- St. Henry’s Head Start via CANI
- Anthis Career Center Early Childhood Lab
- Oak Farm Montessori
- Carroll Middle School
- Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities
- Children’s Autism Center
- Pathfinders Services Inc.
- Passages Inc.
- A Day Away Adult Daycare
- St. Anne Home
- Bi-County Services
Because FWDC strives to make dance accessible for anyone, no matter their physical condition or ability to afford lessons, we have a strong scholarship program, funded by support from Wells Fargo and from our generous donors. Children can apply for scholarships at FWDC at the beginning of the academic year (in September), which would give them a free class until the end of that academic year (until June). An audition is held at FWDC, this year on Thursday, August 19 from 6-7:30 pm at the studio.
To qualify for this program, students must be between the ages of 6-17 and have a sponsor who is responsible for transportation and moral support of the student’s interest in dance. This person can be a parent, family friend, or other significant adult in the student’s life.
No dance experience is necessary, but hard work and dedication is mandatory.
To register for the audition, call the Fort Wayne Dance Collective at 424-6574 or email us via the contact page. You must obtain a scholarship application form prior to auditioning, and submit it by Monday August 16
