Mission
The Dance Project mission is to provide education and training for dynamic awareness and optimum balance of the body, mind and spirit. We support professionals in related fields such as performance arts and dance, as well as anyone seeking health and vitality through movement, primarily but not exclusively in Florida and New York.
Vision
The Dance Project vision is to continue, as funds permit, to:Collaborate with individuals, educational institutions, ballet/dance/performance companies, community groups, nonprofit agencies, institutions of higher learning, media companies, and other relevant entities to provide training and education.
- provide a community performing arts space
- present educational performances and workshops in areas related to its mission
- design and provide individualized training to community members and professionals
- produce educational videos and related materials
- be responsive to evolving community needs and wishes for ongoing education and training
- educate the community on feral cat populations
- provide surplus materials for artists through recycling
Our Home
Our home base, since 1994, is a magical 1926 warehouse in the Channelside District of downtown Tampa. From an urban pioneering family, Luisa could not resist revitalizing this beautiful building ( they do not build them like this anymore!) The once abandoned railroad spur to the rear of the property extends our exhibit and gathering area in a xeriscape garden in what is now a highly developed area of town. Here, we open our hearts and doors so the community can gather to hear chamber concerts of music and dance, from Baroque to modern, and to attend lectures, workshops, and art exhibits.
Our History
The Dance Project, founded in 1992 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, created in 1992 by Executive Director Luisa Meshekoff and Associate Director John Parks, is dedicated to nurturing and supporting dance, music, and visual arts.
The Dance Project produces education videos ranging from Baroque dance to ballet alignment to Argentine Tango as well as how to videos on sheet metal. These materials are used by schools, universities, and libraries around the country.
As a professional dance company, The Dance Project has performed in venues such as Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Institute, Connecticut Early Music Festival, Carmel Bach Festival, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ringling Museum, Tampa Museum, Florida International Museum, and Largo Cultural Center.