Night Out In the Parks (at home!)
We’re proud to be one the 120 arts partners selected to showcase their work as part of the 8th season of the Chicago Park District’s “Your Night Out at Home.” This year, we’ll be going virtual & performing for you on-demand in your living room, backyards & balconies. Check us out at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/night-out-at-home
#MyChiParks #YourNightOutAtHome
Help support Chicago’s local artists by checking out our performance of “Weave Trees” at the Chicago Park District’s “Your Night Out At Home” website.
Keep watching! New performances will be posted weekly at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/night-out-at-home #MyChiParks #YourNightOutAtHome
photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis
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Donate to Synapse Arts’ dance education program for kids ages 3 through 11 and receive an activity kit filled with fun toys, treats, games, and more!
As a thank you for donating to Synapse Arts’ educational programs you’ll receive a kit valued at either $25, $50, or $100.
Kits include:
- Assorted games, puzzles, and crafts
- Bottled bubbles and sweet treats
- A how-to flyer for Ballet at Home with video links
- Synapse stickers and buttons
- PLUS kits at the $100 donation level ALSO include a $20 gift card for ice cream at any Baskin Robbins!
Find out more and get your kit at Kits for Kids.
Donate securely online at the Kits for Kids page, then pick up your goodies at Dizzy Cow Candy and Curiosity Shop (2155 W Irving Park Road, Chicago) on Saturday, July 11th anytime between 9am and 12pm. We will have curbside pickup - please call 773-706-6187 when you arrive at the store.
Can’t pick up your kit on July 11? No problem! Call Dizzy Cow at 773-706-6187 to arrange another time for pickup.
Thank you!
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We unequivocally condemn the racism that exists both overtly and covertly in modern society. We are at a crossroads where everyone needs to take a stand - therefore as an organization we are committed to examining the ways in which we have been complicit in perpetuating racism. We are addressing our own biases and are committed to making a plan for actionable change. We realize that the space to reflect on all of this is a privilege of its own. We intend to address this work with deep humility, compassion, and a recognition of the inalienable humanity of Black people.
We recognize, more clearly than ever, that combating the racism, sexism, and heteronormativity of our industry and our region requires a regular practice, not just a response to the here and now. As an organization that serves all ages, including young children from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, we strive to serve our community equitably. We recognize that we can do better.
Synapse’s mission is to nurture individual identities and challenge social norms by engaging artists and audiences in the making of dance-theater. Racism is a social norm that inhibits the expression of individual identities, so maintaining constant anti-racist work must be a part of our everyday processes.
We are currently working on reforms to better fulfill our values as an organization. This includes continuing our anti-racism education, diversifying our board of directors, and expanding our programs and services to be more inclusive, equitable, and accessible.
We commit to implementing the following changes in our organization:
- Spend our dollars locally at Black-owned and minority-owned businesses
- Insist on BIPOC representation by our partners, venues, collaborators and equal support from our funders through contract negotiations
- Develop our staff and board to reflect the demographics of those we serve, such as adding parents of Synapse students and other Rogers Park and Edgewater community members to our leadership
- Add a minimum of one BIPOC teaching artist to our three-person education team within the next 12 months. In addition, look for BIPOC artists within our network who teach dance styles created by BIPOC.
- Since 2011 each New Works cycle has included 25%-33% commissioned artists who are BIPOC. We will maintain and grow this percentage by marketing to more networks in order to widen our reach and representation. Each New Works review panel will also include a minimum of 25% BIPOC artists going forward.
- Complete and share our Values and Inclusivity statements
- Continue to prioritize and celebrate artwork that dismantles systemic racism, sexism, classism, and heteronormativity
Arts and culture has the power to lift the voices of marginalized peoples. We recognize the responsibility that comes with that power and choose to be an active part of this movement in pursuit of an equitable world.
Influences on this statement:
Women of Color in the Arts: https://www.womenofcolorinthearts.org/
Seeing White podcast: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/
Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/
Nonprofit AF blog: https://nonprofitaf.com/2020/06/have-nonprofit-and-philanthropy-become-the-white-moderate-that-dr-king-warned-us-about/
The BIPOC Project: https://www.thebipocproject.org/
The Body Is Not An Apology: https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/magazine/after-tamir-here-are-3-things-you-should-know-about-racial-justice-101/
Mapping Our Social Change Roles: https://medium.com/@dviyer/mapping-our-social-change-roles-in-times-of-crisis-8bbe71a8ab01
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Support vulnerable artists and provide hope to young dancers. Donations up to $1,500 will be matched by a generous anonymous individual.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has touched everyone, and at Synapse Arts it has most impacted our artists and teachers. Artists and teachers are the lifeblood of our community, but as contractors and gig workers, are often the first to lose work.
Find out more about how we’re supporting our artists, students, and teachers on the donation campaign page here:
https://synapsearts.networkforgood.com/projects/97355-dance-will-keep-us-together
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We are missing our ballet students! Our teachers have put together some ways for you to practice ballet at home.
Ballet flyer (English)
Ballet flyer (Spanish)
Links to ballet videos with Ms. Laura and Ms. Katie:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/7042387
We hope you and your families will all stay safe and have some fun dancing at home. If you have questions or would like printed copies of the ballet flyer, please email megan@synapsearts.com.
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