This just in: North Carolina Dance Theatre has received a $78,000 grant from the Womens Impact Fund to be used for a Community Outreach Dance Program for children in Mecklenburg County. Read more in the press release below.
North Carolina Dance Theatre Receives Grant from Womens Impact Fund Grant will launch new Community Outreach Dance Program for Underserved Children Charlotte, N.C. - North Carolina Dance Theatre received a $78,000 grant from the Womens Impact Fund (WIF) to launch a new three year Community Outreach Dance Program for underserved children in Mecklenburg County. The Womens Impact Fund awards high-impact grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 in five areas of charitable interest: arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services. North Carolina Dance Theatre recognized that underserved children in our community have little access to dance. Through WIFs support, our new Community Outreach Dance Program will provide children with an opportunity to study dance and experience its many benefits, said President & Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Ive wanted to do a program like this for years, and I look forward to being part of the audition process. North Carolina Dance Theatres Community OutreachMecklenburg County Park and Recreation is partnering with Dance Theatre to promote the program and to provide sites for the classes. Selection for the Community Outreach Dance Program will be determined by audition, financial need and commitment of the parents to the program. Parental involvement will be emphasized in all aspects of the program, including orientations for parents and students prior to the programs start. We are thrilled to receive this grant because it allows North Carolina Dance Theatre the opportunity to offer underserved children and families an accessible and comprehensive year-round dance program, said Director of Education an Outreach April Berry. This cultural arts program will engage children, their families and the neighborhoods in which they live. Community Outreach Dance Program details, including audition dates and locations, will be announced in July 2009.