HISTORYMDDF, founded in 1982, has produced 100 dances and 25 international tours involving performance, teaching, research, and exchange in 12 countries. We have worked on the Lower East Side for 27 years, with the NYC Department of Education since 1988, and as a resident member organization of Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center since 2001.
SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS
MDDF's Schools Partnership Program is research-based and designed to meet individual needs of different learning communities. MDDF works on arts and dance skills development, integrating the arts and dance into all areas of the school curriculum and aesthetic education. Our programs include: adult education, internships, professional seminars, and parents and caregivers as arts partners programs. Our programs have had measurable positive impact on students' learning using kinesthetic, academic, social and emotional indicators. MDDF's partnership schools are located throughout New York.
DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE
- The Dana Foundation — 2009-08
- NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development — 2010, 09 & 07
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs — 2010-1994
- New York State Council on the Arts — 2010-1995
- The Center for Arts Education — 2008-1999
- National Endowment for the Arts — 2007-06 & 2003-02
- American Cultural Specialist — 2000
- White House Millennium Council — 2000
- Fulbright Senior Scholar — 1999-98
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
We have choreographed original works, performed and taught in Ecuador, El Salvador, England, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Slovenia; conducted research in Argentina and Cuba; and served on conference and festival panels in Canada and Russia.
