BODYART Connects is an inclusive dance-based engagement platform committed to increasing accessibility to the arts and providing inclusive dance opportunities to audiences of all ages, bodies, and abilities.
BODYART CONNECTS:
Is a women-led organization that is dedicated to serving the global community and increasing accessibility in the physical arts.
Creates highly collaborative visual stories where community and space act as co-authors.
Believes multi-platform collaboration across geography, culture, and medium creates space for us to deconstruct hierarchical artmaking practices that have led to divisive narratives and limited accessibility in the arts.
Is committed to creating work that fosters inclusion and accessibility. Projects are place-based, community-led, and site-specific.
History & Structure
The BODYART organization began with BODYART Dance Company in New York City, 2006. After enjoying much success, BODYART Dance moved to Los Angeles in 2016 and established itself as a 501(c)3 in the State of California. The BODYART organization expanded in 2017 with the establishment of its second non-profit, BODYART Connects. Both companies work together to leverage the most opportunities for their constituents across the country. At its core, BODYART Dance and BODYART Connects create highly collaborative visual stories where the audience, performer, and space act as co-authors.
programming
BODYART Connects core programming strives to create a community where all people enjoy the many benefits of dance and storytelling through collaborative, space-based classes, workshops, gatherings, films, and performances.
Photo by Felli Maynard
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A community art gathering by the Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development and BODYART Dance.
Placeholder is an iterative, site-specific project designed for community activation through interactive art events by and for the local residents of New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward. These biannual events will honor the historical and cultural significance of the community's lost spaces, and amplify the ability to collectively speak on a sustainable future.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first public event on Saturday, January 14 at the CSED Outdoor Learning Center, 2640 Lamanche St., New Orleans, LA! We can’t wait to share more photos from the afternoon.
Questions? Please contact Project Director Rachel Slater rslater@bodyartdance.com.
Moving to Heal
Due to COVID-19 domestic violence has skyrocketed. In response, BODYART has launched Moving to Heal (M2H) as a means to support survivors and their road to recovery. M2H partners with local women's shelters to provide movement-based programming that responds to the needs of its residents.
One of the common problems documented in cases of trauma and PTSD is the disconnection between the mind and body. Moving to Heal classes last one hour and focus on re-establishing the broken mind-body connection, to encourage rehabilitation and support the emotional and psychological needs of survivors of domestic violence and physical/sexual trauma.
For participants, Moving to Heal classes can 1) repair mind-body connection, 2) encourage transformation of trauma-related restrictions, and 3) foster embodiment strategies to increase emotional well-being. Many experience feelings of empowerment, confidence, and joy in their bodies.
Moving to Heal has partnered with Eden House NOLA for a 10 week series of classes that will launch Fall 2021.
team
Leslie Scott - Founding Artistic Director
Leslie Scott is a researcher of movement in the studio, classroom, and screen. Scott is an Assistant Professor of Dance + New Media at Tulane University where she also specializes in philanthropy and social change through community-engaged research. Scott regularly combines her decades of experience in producing and non-profit development with her multiple teaching and consulting activities across the globe. Since 2006 she has created six evening-length works, 27 shorter mixed-bill works, and over 30 commissions to some of the country’s leading institutions. For a complete CV please visit www.lesliescott.org.
Rachel slater carter - creative liaison & placeholder project director
Rachel Slater is an interdisciplinary movement artist and educator based in New Orleans, LA. Her creative career has taken her all over the world with her work being presented by organizations such as the Philly Fringe Festival, San Francisco's Women on the Way Festival, On the Boards, Dance Days Chania, Bucharest International Dance Film Festival and VideoDanzaBA, among others. Slater has been an artist-in-resident at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, New Expressive Works and Sou'Wester. Rachel holds a BFA in Modern Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of the Arts. She is also the co-artistic director of Muddy Feet Contemporary Dance in Portland, OR. Currently she is an MFA Candidate and Mellon Fellow for Community-Engaged Scholarship at Tulane University.
Rachel Abrahams - Director of teaching
Rachel Abrahams is a performer, athlete, and Yoga instructor based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from the California Institute of the Arts and has worked in New York since 2009. Rachel has danced with FUERZABRUTA in New York and abroad, Third Rail Projects, BODYART Dance, Jessica Gaynor Dance, Bryn Cohn + Artists, and Shen Wei Dance Arts. She works with other artists on various movement projects that involve improvisation and are steeped in the spirit of collaboration. Rachel’s interest in biomechanics and healthy movement practices led to certifications in Yoga, Pilates, Thai Massage, and Reiki. Rachel leads weekly classes and workshops focusing on aligning of mind and body. She also is co-creator of the Moving to Heal curriculum and leads all teacher training initiatives for M2H.
Sarah scribner - development associate
Sarah Scribner is a dancer, writer, and arts administrator in New York. Sarah trained with the non-profit Project Moves Dance Company under the direction of The GOLD School Dance Art and Rennie Gold, based in Boston, MA. With Project Moves, she performed at The Joyce Theater, Calderwood Pavilion, and the former Cedar Lake Theater as part of Dancers Responding to AIDS. Sarah graduated with a BA in philosophy and dance from Tulane University in 2020 and received the Jill Karp Prize in Dance Choreography. She then moved to New York to attend the Columbia Publishing Course and pursue an editorial career, but soon realized that she missed the heart and community of dance. At Tulane, Sarah worked with BODYART on its 2018 premiere of hymn + them at Hotel Peter and Paul New Orleans. She is excited to combine her editorial and performing backgrounds to continue supporting BODYART artists and communities. In addition to BODYART, Sarah works in Operations with BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Her written work has been featured in Dance Spirit.
alexis martin - moving to heal instructor, los angeles
Alexis Martin is a dance artist based in Long Beach, CA. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and Dance from Tulane University, she is fascinated by the ongoing conversation between movement-based arts and community health and wellness, and passionate about making dance and movement an approachable and accessible experience for all, regardless of prior experience.
Danielle brown - Moving to heal program manager, los angeles
Danielle is a licensed clinical social worker, board certified dance/movement therapist, certified EMDR therapist, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Danielle uses an integrated bodymind approach that enables individuals to explore, discover, understand, and transform their lives.
Trained as ballerina and modern dancer, Danielle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and pursued a career in performance and choreography. Danielle later received her Master of Art in Dance with an emphasis in Dance as Healing from UCLA, and went on to complete a Master of Social Welfare also from UCLA. She underwent post-graduate training in dance/movement therapy with Dr. Danielle Fraenkel at Kinections in Rochester, NY.