Volunteer

Our amazing volunteers assist with programming by acting on one or more of our committees. Interested in joining the team? Read the descriptions below to find out more about the different committees you can serve on.

Archive: Dance history enthusiasts, this is for you! Help us research and record the history of Atlanta dance. Currently, DanceATL is a recipient of the Dance/USA archiving fellowship honoring dance elders and pioneers through oral history.

The DanceATL Archive Committee is actively looking for new members to join us in our efforts to discover and share the rich history of the Atlanta dance community.  We are recruiting new members to serve on the committee as we enter our next phase of archival development.  We will be gathering oral histories from longtime members of the Atlanta dance community over the next year, as well as determining the overall scope and direction of the process of developing an archive of other materials related to the history of dance in Atlanta.  The committee meets about once a month via Zoom, and will be increasing our activity as we begin the process of conducting the oral history interviews. 

Community Engagement: Bring the community together to network and gather. Our potluck mixers have been a hit and include an elevator pitch forum, clothing swaps, and lots of food! The community committee has also hosted a virtual milonga for the Dance The Vote campaign and a National Water Dance performance. Community chairperson: Dory Berry

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: This committee aims to assess and address the needs of the Atlanta dance community as it relates to equitable representation. They are currently working on an interview series within our quarterly digital newsletter, Promenade, “Engaging Atlanta,” which seeks to listen and learn about some of the many dance artists and organizations that make up our community.

Education and Research: Develop collaboration and mentoring within the Atlanta dance community and create educational opportunities to grow. This team created the AM Collaborative program. For the 2020-21 season, A.M. Collaborative matched 20+ artists of different disciplines together in a creative process. You can watch this last cohort project here. Education co-chairpersons: René Nesbit and Tamara Irving

Production: DanceATL Tech Talks are production and design workshops that provide a platform for experts in the field to share their knowledge and an opportunity for members of the Atlanta dance community to learn about production and design for dance and performing arts. Past tech talk topics have included general production process, lighting design, Q-lab, and stage management. Production co-chairpersons: Loren McFalls and Scott Wheet

Writing: Promenade features local artists and professionals, their artistic contributions to the community and their perspectives on dance in Atlanta. The committee is also collaborating with ArtsATL. Writing co-chairpersons: Julie Baggenstoss and Erin Weller Dalton

Why volunteer with us?

Read about some of our volunteers’ experience

“I love the people I’ve met, and I love being able to use my professional skill sets for something I love (dance!)” -Loren McFalls, community and production committees

“My favorite part about being a volunteer with DanceATL is the community environment. I came to my first writing committee meeting and knew no one except for the Operations Manager but I immediately felt right at home and like my opinion and ideas were valid. DanceATL is incredibly nurturing and inviting…Volunteering at DanceATL has given me a community of fiercely passionate individuals, who like me, are looking to make a difference and shape the dance world.” -Ashley Gibson, writing committee

“Volunteering is important because it is a vehicle for people to strengthen their communities through actions that also help them connect with other individuals who share their passions.” -Julie Baggenstoss, writing committee

“The Atlanta arts community in general is largely fueled by passion. … It’s the independent artists and niche organizations– the self-starters– who give this city its creative drive and dynamism. It’s important for the greater community to know who they are and what they are contributing to the arts ecosystem.”- Cynthia Perry, writing committee

If you are interested in joining a committee, please email info@danceatl.org.