Mission Statement
Poético Dance Collective is dedicated to creating a safe, inspiring space for amateur and professional artists alike to express themselves, primarily through the medium of dance.
Our Commitment to Social Justice
Though systemic racial tensions and injustices have always existed in this country, we have in recent weeks begun to encounter a newfound momentum in calls for justice and reform following the cruel and senseless death of Minneapolis native George Floyd. While this struggle has resulted in even more police violence and militarized quelling, changes have been happening, and as renowned activist and scholar Dr. Angela Davis said on June 12, “We’ve never witnessed sustained demonstrations of this size that are so diverse.”
We at Poético are committed to supporting these necessary social changes, and are striving to be as civically engaged as possible. Poético uses, and will continue to use, our collective talents and to engage with the Philadelphia community in diverse and creative ways. We hope to challenge conceptions of space and movement, using multimedia, props, costuming, original music, and choreography to move beyond eurocentric conceptions of dance. We have, and always will welcome local artists to engage with our platform for their own work, as we showcase not just ourselves, but each other, to audiences. Through our relationships with other artists we hope to be critical of our own work, and be mindful of the impact that art can have on others. We hope that our impact is inclusive, fun, and ultimately a positive force for justice.
Proceeds from our "Work in Progress" showcase will benefit the Philadelphia chapter of BLM, and the recipients of future showcase and event donations will be voted on by members of Poético. We continue to lead donation-based weekly zoom yoga classes, on behalf of organizations that support the lives and wellbeing of BIPOC. We are also updating our instagram with resources and links for relevant causes, and are open to any suggestions for how to be more engaged and helpful in this fight. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, clarifications, or ideas at poeticodance.gmail.com.
Stay safe.
We at Poético are committed to supporting these necessary social changes, and are striving to be as civically engaged as possible. Poético uses, and will continue to use, our collective talents and to engage with the Philadelphia community in diverse and creative ways. We hope to challenge conceptions of space and movement, using multimedia, props, costuming, original music, and choreography to move beyond eurocentric conceptions of dance. We have, and always will welcome local artists to engage with our platform for their own work, as we showcase not just ourselves, but each other, to audiences. Through our relationships with other artists we hope to be critical of our own work, and be mindful of the impact that art can have on others. We hope that our impact is inclusive, fun, and ultimately a positive force for justice.
Proceeds from our "Work in Progress" showcase will benefit the Philadelphia chapter of BLM, and the recipients of future showcase and event donations will be voted on by members of Poético. We continue to lead donation-based weekly zoom yoga classes, on behalf of organizations that support the lives and wellbeing of BIPOC. We are also updating our instagram with resources and links for relevant causes, and are open to any suggestions for how to be more engaged and helpful in this fight. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, clarifications, or ideas at poeticodance.gmail.com.
Stay safe.
Poético's Social Justice Action Plan
- Form an equity committee to help us uphold our commitment to addressing discrimination and prejudice within our organization.
- Understand that each member must uphold the standards of justice and equality set forth by our mission, which will evolve as necessary to continue to support those who face discrimination and prejudice.
- Acknowledge that our city of Philadelphia stands on stolen Lenape land, and recognize our role in reconciling injustice against indigenous peoples.
- Normalize holding each other accountable for the content of our work, and challenging assumptions on music, costuming, and dance style choices.
- Acknowledge the eurocentrism of our dance educations, and deliberately seek out and recognize the origins and context of our choreography and music.
- Engage in dialogue on appropriation of art and culture, and seek professional consultation to broaden our perspectives and be offered critique.
- Regularly address our dancers, families, and community in newsletters, emails, and media announcements regarding our commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement, and those who face discrimination and prejudice. Please let us know how we can do better.
- Diversify our public imaging so that BIPOC may feel more comfortable in our art spaces, engaging in our community classes, collaborating professionally, and feeling safer.
- Offer space to those who need to process, rest, cry, collaborate, brainstorm, meditate, move.
- Offer means to celebrate artists who, through discrimination, prejudice, and/or fear, have felt they could not use their voice.
- Build upon our commitment to diversifying our organization by engaging more Black and Brown dancers, students, teachers, choreographers, contributors, musicians, and artists. We are stronger with more diverse voices.
- Continue to collect donations on behalf of organizations that advocate for and support the BIPOC and LGBTQX communities.
- Understand that each member must uphold the standards of justice and equality set forth by our mission, which will evolve as necessary to continue to support those who face discrimination and prejudice.
- Acknowledge that our city of Philadelphia stands on stolen Lenape land, and recognize our role in reconciling injustice against indigenous peoples.
- Normalize holding each other accountable for the content of our work, and challenging assumptions on music, costuming, and dance style choices.
- Acknowledge the eurocentrism of our dance educations, and deliberately seek out and recognize the origins and context of our choreography and music.
- Engage in dialogue on appropriation of art and culture, and seek professional consultation to broaden our perspectives and be offered critique.
- Regularly address our dancers, families, and community in newsletters, emails, and media announcements regarding our commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement, and those who face discrimination and prejudice. Please let us know how we can do better.
- Diversify our public imaging so that BIPOC may feel more comfortable in our art spaces, engaging in our community classes, collaborating professionally, and feeling safer.
- Offer space to those who need to process, rest, cry, collaborate, brainstorm, meditate, move.
- Offer means to celebrate artists who, through discrimination, prejudice, and/or fear, have felt they could not use their voice.
- Build upon our commitment to diversifying our organization by engaging more Black and Brown dancers, students, teachers, choreographers, contributors, musicians, and artists. We are stronger with more diverse voices.
- Continue to collect donations on behalf of organizations that advocate for and support the BIPOC and LGBTQX communities.