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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Thursday, May 21, 2020
Events at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm CST hosted online via Zoom
All events are FREE
Find videos from all Free Dance Day sessions HERE
Join Synapse Arts for FREE dance-centric events! In the past this day has been chock full of in-person activities. This year we are reimagining Free Dance Day for virtual space, with three main events intended for all ages, abilities, identities, and incomes.
Learn about the Synapse Arts - New Works program in a Q&A session with former New Works artists, take an intermediate/advanced workshop with Kristina Fluty, and have young artists try a ballet class. All events are free and open to the public. Zoom codes available by registration or request. See event info below for details.
Schedule Overview
full descriptions below
All times CST (Chicago)
12pm-1pm New Works Information Session with past New Works Artists
Ideal for anyone who is interested in how the Synapse Arts - New Works program works, how new performance pieces are made, or intends to apply to the program in the fall of 2020.
Direct Message (DM) Synapse Arts on Facebook to receive the Zoom code
**The session will be live captioned and recorded for later use at your own pace.
2pm-3pm Phrasebuilding Workshop with Kristina Fluty
Join Kristina Fluty of Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak and The Theatre School at DePaul University for a quick creative process class. We will build and investigate a long-form phrase of movement. All are welcome though this workshop may be best suited for intermediate/advanced movers.
RSVP required at this link: https://synapsearts.networkforgood.com/events/18542-phrasebuilding-workshop-with-kristina-fluty
Zoom code will be sent by automatic email once you register
4pm-5pm Ballet for Young Dancers with Ms. Katie
Join Synapse Arts’ own Ms. Katie for a fun all-levels ballet class. This class is aimed at students who have participated in Arts Partner Ballet classes at Loyola Park and Berger Park, but all young dancers ages 4-10 are welcome.
Contact megan@synapsearts.com for the Zoom code
Accessibility and inclusivity notes
Synapse Arts events actively welcome individuals with diverse identities, including all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, income levels, ages, parent/caregiver status, backgrounds, and household structures.
All sessions are relaxed and sensory-friendly. Some sessions will be captioned and recorded for later use at the user’s own pace.
Please note:
Selected activities from the original Free Dance Day schedule have been cancelled by the Park District or postponed indefinitely. These cancelled activities include:
- All-levels modern dance class with Margi Cole
- Synapse Arts’ performance
- Student Troupe performance
All events are free. We hope that you will help us support the hard working artists who are bringing you this event by donating to our Synapse Arts Pandemic Support Campaign. With your help we can reach our goal of $5,000 and pay all of our artists for every single one of our spring events - even those that were cancelled due to COVID-19. Donate at https://synapsearts.networkforgood.com/projects/97355-dance-will-keep-us-together-synapse-arts-pandemic-support or at www.synapsearts.com.
Please remember:
- Participate as you please - feel free to join or exit at any time
- You can attend/watch/participate with or without being seen
- All spaces support and include womxn and LGBTQIA+ folx
Full Details and Schedule
New Works program Information Session
Free, ages 18+, via Zoom, Direct Message (DM) Synapse Arts on Facebook for the code
Learn about Synapse Arts - New Works, a choreographic mentorship and commissioning program run by Synapse Arts in an informal setting. Join former New Works artists Christopher Knowlton, Maria Blanco (of LOUD BODIES), Amanda Ramirez, Nora Sharp, and Megan Rhyme for a Q&A session in preparation for the fall 2020 call for applications.
Are you curious about the application process? Want to know what support and resources are offered to New Works artists? Have questions about the challenges and triumphs of being in New Works? Converse with former New Works artists and Synapse staff members to answer these questions and more!
**The session will be live captioned and recorded for later use at your own pace.
Phrasebuilding workshop with Kristina Fluty
Intended for intermediate and advanced movers, ages 18+
Free with required pre-registration: https://synapsearts.networkforgood.com/events/18542-phrasebuilding-workshop-with-kristina-fluty
Join Kristina Fluty of Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak and The Theatre School at DePaul University for a quick creative process class. We will build and investigate a long-form phrase of movement inspired by the fundamentals of Laban/Bartenieff, the Molly Shanahan commitment to spiral, and a Feldenkrais-like idiosyncratic engagement with self and the space. We will start gently with guided and improvisational movement to warm ourselves into larger dancing.
This workshop is free of charge and pre-registration is required. This allows us to send you a Zoom code and support a quality experience for all. Please sign up to save your spot!
Ballet for young dancers with Ms. Katie
For ages 4-10, all levels of experience
Free, contact megan@synapsearts.com for Zoom code
Join Synapse Arts’ own Ms. Katie for a fun ballet class! All young dancers ages 4-10 are welcome, especially students who have participated in Arts Partner Ballet classes at Loyola Park and Berger Park. This fun class will use music and movement to introduce students to classical ballet. The class will include material from Synapse Arts’ beginning and intermediate level ballet classes, such as the five positions, floor and barre work and basic dance combinations. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that allows movement, such as leotards or leggings, and to use a space in the house where they are free to move safely. Ballet shoes are optional.
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