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The Southern Arts Federation (SAF) selected the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA) as one of the participating presenters in its dance touring initiative, a major new effort to develop stronger dance presentation and audiences for modern dance and contemporary ballet.

"What it means for us here at the University of Memphis is that we will be able to offer students and our community the opportunity to see professional modern dance and contemporary ballet, interact with the artists during residency activities, and experience dance as a significant force in our common cultural life," says Moira Logan, CCFA associate dean and director of research and graduate studies. Logan, who discovered the new SAF initiative and applied for the grant will coordinate and lead the program's activities at the U of M.

The initiative's participants will receive intensive professional development, peer mentorship, and tour development assistance, as well as substantial touring subsidies during the three-year initiative. Starting their first year this summer, presenters will select a dance company that will tour to their venue or organization, meet with the touring company, and develop the touring components.

"We will have an opportunity to evaluate which dance groups would work well in our community and add the most value to our students' experience who, in addition to dance master classes and other educational activities during the dance companies' residencies, have the opportunity to build important professional networks," Logan says.

The second year includes touring of the dance company and peer conferences. In the final year, participants may apply for a specific grant to present dance and will receive additional technical assistance.

"During the last two years of the initiative, we will receive 50 percent of the funding to present a dance company at the U of M's Rose Theatre but we will have to raise the remaining half. However, a core concept of the project is that presenters from the same region will work together to maximize resources," Logan notes.

"This is a great opportunity for the University to fulfill its mission by building productive partnerships and pursuing excellence in artistic expression."