The mission of Dance Affiliates is to advance the growth, development, and well being of the art of dance.  We nurture the development of dance artists; serve as an intermediary between the touring artist and dance communities across the state; and cultivate new dance audiences. 

VALUES
To commit to artistic excellence.
To serve as an advocate for dance.
To work in a collaborative spirit with an intent to inspire and educate.
To be responsible for making dance accessible to all.

Brief History of Organization

In 1979, the American Ballet Competition was incorporated to support the first United States International Ballet competition by providing financial, administrative and artistic support for American dancers competing in international competition.  ABC sponsored a total of 56 ballet dancers participating in 12 ballet competitions around the world, 18 of whom won medals, and 12 advanced to the finals, and many winners went on to careers with The Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, and American Ballet Theater.  In 1983, Dance Affiliates was formed as the local presenting component overseen by an advisory board and artistic director.  In 1992, this advisory board was reorganized into a Board of Directors to serve as its governing body.  The organization legally changed its name to Dance Affiliates in November 2005 to more appropriately reflect its current focus and mission and its long history of dance presentation. 

For more than 25 years, Dance Affiliates has been a major force in supporting world-class dance, primarily through its core program called Dance Celebration, the region’s only major annual series of contemporary dance.  Dance Celebration’s origins go back to 1972 when founder Randy Swartz initially presented dance at the Walnut Street Theater where he was executive director.

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Organization Mission

Dance Affiliates accomplishes its mission through a commitment to excellence in the presentation of diverse dance styles and choreography, cultures and nationalities; the commission of original works from both local and nationally-known choreographers; the cultivation of broadly-based adult and children's audiences; the enrichment of the school curriculum through high-quality children's performance, arts education, and outreach programs; collaborations with performing arts partners in the field; and service to the local dance community through workshops, master classes, seminars and symposia.   An ongoing, interactive and evolving program that educates, entertains, and enlightens the public about dance in turn helps sustain, nourish and preserve the art of dance.

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Artistic Excellence

Artistic Director Randy Swartz reflects on his curatorial vision and the breadth and scope of the past 35 years and how he has built and nurtured relationships.  “It has been my goal to bring the world of dance to Philadelphia, commission new work, and host premieres that supports artists and provides Philadelphia with an ongoing festival that reflects the best in quality entertainment.”

Artistic excellence is the first and most important tenet in selecting dance companies and designing programs.  In addition, there is a commitment to present a diversity of dance forms and traditions that represent different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  The dance experience builds cognitive learning, discipline, collaboration, and participation.  Through dance, its audience is entertained, emotionally and intellectually engaged and, hopefully, inspired.

Undoubtedly, what’s most unique about Dance Affiliates is that it remains one of the nation’s few remaining dance-only presenters.  Its Dance Celebration program is regarded as Philadelphia’s most acclaimed and longest-running series of world-class dance performances and educational programs.  Dance Affiliates’ reputation in its field has grown because of its demonstrated ability to organize, collaborate in and, more recently, produce high-quality programs of artistic excellence (Thank You Gregory: A Tribute to the Legends of Tap  in May 2005 and The Music That Made Us Dance: From Lindy to Hip Hop in April 2006, performed by some of Philadelphia’s finest dancers and the first-ever Philadelphia commission for the series). 

Dance Matters is a new statewide dance programming initiative conceived and developed by Dance Affiliates and supported by funding from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development.  Through strategic partnerships with local community performing arts centers and educational institutions, the program offers live dance performances and arts education activities in an exciting and unique program for people of all ages that is accessible, affordable, enlightening and entertaining. 

Collaborations with other nonprofit, educational and community organizations has produced successful strategic partnerships, including: Mann Center for the Performing Arts (2007) to develop extensive outreach activities with The Royal Ballet; Baryshnikov Dance Foundation (2004) to present the play Forbidden Christmas or The Doctor and The Patient at Prince Music Theatre; University of the Arts and The Rock School (2003) to sponsor on-site visits with students by Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi and George de la Pena; Mann Center’s 25th Anniversary event with Dance Theatre of Harlem (2001) with open rehearsal for hundreds of Philadelphia area students; UARTS Merriam Theater to bring Mikhail Baryshnikov’s PASTForward with White Oak Project (2001) including an extensive community outreach component as part of the actual performance; Kids Dancing for Kids (2000) a joint production with the Prince Music Theater benefiting its outreach program The Rainbow Connection.

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Community Outreach & Education

The arts have been proven to enhance the quality of life, stimulate the economy through cultural tourism and ancillary services, generate civic pride, and serve as a tool to help motivate and educate young people.  The art of dance, in particular, is a universal language that bridges cultural, language, economic and educational differences.  A community with an ongoing, well-regarded and diverse spectrum of cultural offerings for both its residents and visitors is a healthier and more economically viable one.  Dance Affiliates strives to be a leader in contributing to this civic vitality by establishing dance as another art form that is a core and essential component of a healthy community.

Dance Affiliates programs are affordable and accessible as a result of various strategies and partnerships to serve a broad spectrum of ethnic and cultural constituencies with season rosters that offer a diverse and global view of contemporary dance.  This direct connection to the local community is a marvelous opportunity to explore, in depth, artistic and cultural traditions of America’s diverse ancestry with live performances and an extensive program of multi-faceted educational and outreach activities.

Approximately 30,000 students from some 300 Philadelphia-area schools and home-schooling programs have participated in interactive Dance Celebration programs through the Student Discovery Series.  In addition, the Artist to Artist and The Artist and the Community programs provide master classes, symposia, workshops, community interactive sessions, peer-to-peer repertory workshops, and other activities all free and open to the public.

In response to the dearth of ongoing and relevant arts education programs for local school children, Dance Affiliates has established special school residencies and projects with several of its visiting dance companies.  These programs have ranged from one-day lecture/demonstration on-site school visits to multi-year, interactive and hands-on collaborations between Philadelphia charter schools and nationally-recognized dance companies.

To learn more about our Education & Community Programs

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Oversight and Leadership

Dance Affiliates is managed by a small professional staff supported by a Board of Directors. The staff's responsibility is to maintain artistic focus, operating integrity and program development.  Board members, in addition to their required fiduciary oversight, help ensure the health and well-being of the organization by serving as ambassadors and advocates in the community and by helping to raise essential funds.

Dance Affiliates also benefits from the advice and counsel of an Advisory Board to help the organization best serve its various constituents and diverse local community.

In his 35-year career, Randy Swartz is regarded as an expert and mentor in his field, having presented hundreds of dance companies and solo artists in more than 1,000 performances; served on a variety of boards, arts advisory panels and academic staffs; and traveled throughout the world to work with renowned dancers, choreographers and dance companies. 

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