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GAUDANSE INC.  (meaning "rejoicing") was founded in 2020 in New York and Louisiana by Imani Gaudin for the charitable and educational purposes of connecting underserved individuals to dance education, opportunities, and resources to promote dance and the performing arts as a source of empowerment, cultural change, and community development and connection.

MISSION

gaudanse is a platform for ardent independent thought leaders. The grail of the organization is to investigate movement languages in order to create works that instigate a broad range of meaningful and thought provoking matters that strike humanity from the micro to the macro level.

VISION

We envision a platform where movement becomes a powerful tool for investigating and articulating profound narratives that resonate deeply with our audience. Through dance, we aim to address a wide spectrum of topics, from intimate personal experiences to global societal issues, sparking conversations and encouraging introspection on the human condition.

gaudanse desires to form strategic alliances with like performing arts innovators and advocates, community organizations, schools, corporations, and families who are aligned with its mission to provide opportunities for underserved individuals and communities to have access to dance education and other art forms to encourage and empower the next generation of leaders through mentorship and self-development programs.​

We strive to provide individuals, who would not otherwise have the opportunity, access to education, opportunities, and resources in the field of performing arts. 

Our goal is to support performers who are devoted to promoting art or expressing their ideas and feelings through dance and movement and related forms of art. 

gaudanse cultivates works that address distress caused by the challenges of systemic societal oppressions, lack of opportunities, and unequitable treatment of underserved people and hopes to present and support works that will develop and promote an appreciation of different types of cultural arts, stimulate interest in performing arts, and provide a wider acceptance and appreciation of dance through the artistic displays, performances, and workshops.

COMPANY BIO

gaudanse (Gaudanse, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Imani Gaudin in 2020, is a collective of artist rooted between New York and New Orleans. It is composed of multidisciplinary artist, weaving together elements of dance, performance art, music, film, and visual arts. The grail of gaudanse is to investigate movement languages, aiming to create works that transcend mere aesthetics, addressing poignant and thought-provoking matters. With a commitment to social impact, the collective aspires to stir conversations that resonate on both the micro and macro levels, provoking contemplation on a spectrum from the minutiae of individual experience to the grand tapestry of humanity.

gaudanse, made its debut performance at Battery Dance Festival in New York in 2021. Since then they have presented work at Battery Dance Festival in 2022, T2 Dance Company's Versatility Dance Festival in 2022 and 2024 , Rockland Dance Festival, and created a dance film for One Day Dance Season Four. gaudanse has had the pleasure in 2024 to have residencies with Baryshnikov Arts Center, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, and pepatián: Dancing Futures Residency in collaboration with BAAD!.

CORE VALUES

Creativity and Innovation
We encourage experimentation and innovation, fostering an environment where artists feel empowered to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of movement artistry.
 
Diversity and Inclusivity
We celebrate diversity in all its forms, seeking to amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives within our artistic endeavors and mentorship initiatives.
 
Impactful Storytelling
We believe in the power of storytelling through movement. Our goal is to craft narratives that provoke meaningful dialogue, challenge perceptions, and inspire change.
 
Community Engagement
We strive to engage with our community by offering accessible programs, workshops, and performances that invite participation and dialogue.

ARTIST MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Central to our mission is our artist mentorship program, where emerging talents receive guidance and support from seasoned professionals. This program aims to nurture the next generation of visionary artists by providing them with resources, mentorship, and opportunities for artistic exploration. Through mentorship, we aim to empower these artists to push boundaries, innovate, and discover their unique artistic voices through accessibility and sustainability.

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