Shaleigh Dance Works

“Description AmountAdvertising 2,398Application Fees 100Cell Phone 1,001Donation 20Dues and Subscriptions 277Educational Training 1,360EnVision 2 and Production Expense 355Insurance 256Job Supplies 284Meals and Entertainment 616Mileage 361Office Supplies 2,148Travel 3,024”

“Exempt PurposeShaLeigh Dance Works (SDW) is a nonprofit, dance-theater company dedicated to inspiring people of all abilities, social backgrounds, cultures, and generations with the tranformative power of dance. CREATING DANCE THEATRE - continuedfor their programs as well as a diverse collaborative artistic team of performers, designers, and creators. SDW is led by Artistic Director ShaLeigh Comerford with projects that de-center sight Co-Directed by Davian Robinson. SDW Company members are artistic collaborators who contribute not only as outstanding performing artists but also as activists and cultural entrepreneurs who develop projects that serve the community. We believe that what we do in the studio can positively affect the world outside. Witn an uncompromising focus on artistic excellence, nuturing artists, and designing programs to empower communities impacted by marginalization, we aim to provide a concrete example of how dance can transform peoples lives and enrich society. Breaking Barriers - continuedof art, culture, and social change to uplift and enrich our communities. The company offers multiple performances each year that bring mixed-ability movers to professional stages as paid collaborators and panel discussions on making dance inclusive and welcoming to people of all abilities.Community Classes:Our donation-only classes were first available to the public in 2014 and are offered to people of all ages and abilities. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds. These classes offer ShaGa, a healing movement practice, as a way to provide connection and community through movement in an open and welcoming atmosphere. Community Classes - continuedBy offering a pay-what-you-can-if-you-can model in accessible spaces, we have enjoyed over 6 years of increasing access, building community, and providing opportunities for healing. Artist Mentorship Lab - continuedus through a residency that aims to develop and nourish the artistic growth of company dancers while also offering opportunities to community dancers through open workshops.Apprenticeship - Providing community dancers with professional training opportunities in ShaGa and artistic development through performance. The program is for aspiring professionals who have significant interest in creating work and engagement programs as advocates for social change.Teacher Trainings - Our ShaGa Teacher Training Program augments our movement language and trains the next generation of ShaGa Teachers to expand our reach. Teacher Trainings - continuedOur Movement Mentor Teacher Training Program teaches how to break the barriers to dance by engaging in a more accessible environment and methodology to engage low vision and blind dancers in public dance spaces. Following the world premiere of enVISION: Sensory Beyond Sight, we worked on program evaluation to create and design a tool kit with the necessary best practices for replicating this program in different communities. Since July, we have been able to share excerpts of EnVISION and its toolbox with National Womens Theatre Festival, LGBTQ Center, Vision Insights, Durham Lions Club, Pioneer Winter Collective, and Alternate ROOTS to support organizations amplifying inclusion. We released the work virtually along with a documentary on its making to provide greater access and to spawn new and creative uses that are vital to the development of inclusive practices. Our virtual premieres reached over 400 people worldwide. This past year, we also focused on operational development, adding a Marketing Director, Executive Assist, Grant Writer, CPA and bookkeeper. We expanded professional development for staff and board members through the NC Center for Nonprofits by attending 11 programs focused on growing our sustainability, infrastructure, and the enhancement of our fundraising and financial practices. SDW developed a Movement Mentor Teacher Training Pilot program to make dance classes accessible to individuals with low-vision and bl”