Mission

Dance Council of North Texas, a unique service organization, creates opportunities for the community to promote and support all forms of dance.

Vision

History 

In 2023, DCNT reached a milestone, celebrating its 50th year in existence! The Dance Council of North Texas is the only dance service provider in North Texas. In fact, the organization is unique in the United States, supporting the dance community and serving the community at large. In 1973, the organization was formed as the Dallas Dance Council and became incorporated as a 501c3 in 1974. Reflecting its broader constituency and outreach, the Dallas Dance Council became the Dance Council in 1995. In 2009, the organization’s name was changed to DCNT to define its geographical origination for the national and international dance community. DCNT was initially organized by and continues to achieve its vision through a dedicated and energetic board of directors and volunteers. DCNT receives funding through its membership, affordable marketing resources offered to the dance community, individual donors, foundations, corporations, and the state agency, Texas Commission on the Arts. The annual budget is approximately $225,000 per year employing contract and pro-bono professionals.

Purpose 

Reaching beyond the confines of the studio and classroom, the Dance Council’s diverse programs create opportunities for the community to appreciate and experience dance. Programming is designed to increase awareness, provide access, foster dance education, encourage serious commitment to dance studies, communicate timely information about dance events, and provide avenues to enjoy, observe and participate in all genres of dance. 

Highlights of Programs

Since 1995 Dance Council of North Texas (DCNT) has developed a wide range of annual dance programs designed to increase exposure and accessibility to dance. The following examples provide a brief summary of services. Dancers Network is a free one day event presented by Dance Council of North Texas where members of the north Texas dance community can meet to network with future dancers, educators and arts organizations; its mission is to provide opportunities for dancers to further their careers. The Scholarship program awards tens of thousands of dollars outstanding dance students to attend distinguished summer dance programs. The Adaptive Dance programs provide instructional workshops for teachers movement classes to individuals with special needs, military veterans, senior citizens, and adults with neurological conditions throughout DFW. A Chance to Dance (AC2D), is an innovative outreach program produced by DCNT to introduce at-risk communities to the joy and vitality of dance and movement—achieving benefit through inclusion-based arts in an open environment in which all abilities can participate. In addition, the program provides an opportunity to improve social skills, confidence, self-control and focus, as well as the ability to participate in a group setting. The program seeks to work with teens and adults that have experienced life-altering events such as homelessness, exposure to drug abuse, sex-trafficking, domestic violence, and more. Instructors certified in psychological and physical trauma will work with the most vulnerable groups. For the past 26 years DCNT has produced the Dance Planet, the only festival of its kind, that builds community and provides accessibility through free master classes and a free performance showcase by multiple dance troupes. Planet celebrates the diversity of dance in the North Texas community and in turn, expands artistic and cultural understanding reaching thousands. The Dallas Dance Film Festival was created in 2018 to promote and support local and international emerging and professional dance filmmakers to provide an affordable platform for them to share their work. The festival also offers the community at large a new way to observe and experience dance.

Advocacy

DCNT advocates for dance through our communication programs, at city and state levels, and at national conferences. Dance Council circulates DANCE North Texas, an award winning publication featuring outstanding artistic, educational and cultural opportunities distributed quarterly. CenterStage is a weekly electronic newsletter keeping the public informed on performances, jobs, auditions, etc. Our website, www.thedancecouncil.org is a haven for greater information about dance in North Texas.