Khambatta Dance Academy Awarded $150,000 Grant

Khambatta Dance Company (KDC), artistic director Cyrus Khambatta is delighted to announce that the Raynier Institute & Foundation has generously awarded KDC a $150,000 grant to support 5 small /mid-sized dance companies annually over the next three years. Artists are encouraged to apply online beginning Monday January 17, 2017. This multi-tiered program is designed to provide unparalleled support to the critical, yet underserved, small/mid-sized Dance Company/artist (approximate annual operating budgets under $500K) who struggle to elevate their work profile and seek a self-sustaining organizational structure.

"The small/mid-sized Dance Company is a critical part of Seattle's artistic ecosystem. KDC is one of them, and we have seen and experienced the struggle to secure funding, venues, partnerships and resources first hand" explains KDC artistic director Cyrus Khambatta. He continues, "I know my company is not alone and I am so excited to spearhead this amazing initiative. I know the fruits of our labor will benefit the arts community and the city as a whole for years to come."

Named the James Ray Residency Project, its funds will fuel the effort to address the specific needs of dance artists and companies and empower them to:

Perform as part of a new series at the annual Seattle International Dance Festival and/or present selected artists or company work for two evening performances in Seattle

Learn valuable networking and board development skills through partner-events

Experience peer-to-peer mentoring during the rehearsal and production process

Receive year-round professional administrative and logistical support with:

Expanded rehearsals -up to 50 hours of free rehearsal space per company

Conducting all-expense paid week or weekend-long residencies or retreats

Engage with professional development and/or marketing consultations

Developing a strategic plan designed to set companies or artists on the path toward increased sustainability

Each year a new round of artists will be selected. Case studies from the initiative will be available along with community resources designed to provide community-wide support for artists and companies seeking assistance at a similar level of development. Applications and information for the inaugural year of the James Jay Residency Project will all be available starting on January 17, 2017 at www.SeattleIDF.org .

Khambatta Dance Company's mission is to encourage constructive self-reflection through meaningful and quality dance work that acknowledges the role dance plays in shaping our emotional and social lives, and to provide this regardless of economic background. Since 2001, Khambatta Dance Company has reached over 40,000 adults, youth and children through its programming in Washington state and no less than 65% of this was provided free of charge. As an internationally touring company, it has been presented in Europe, Russia, Asia and Latin America, including within the last five years, India, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Lithuania and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Raynier Institute & Foundation, founded in 1994 by James Widener Ray, is a private foundation. Their mission is to fund individuals, organizations and causes of a charitable nature
that will carry out projects and programs of high merit for the betterment of humanity

(PHOTO: Colleen Cooke)

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