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As dance educators, the impact we have on impressionable students cannot be taken lightly.
We are shaping the future. We are influencing young minds. We are teaching our students lessons that they may carry with them forever.
Dance conventions have taken center stage in the dance training world. Recently, these conventions have generated critical conversations. In such an unregulated space, it's easy for children to be manipulated and taken advantage of. It's also easy to forget those who work diligently away from the spotlight and, most importantly, those who can’t afford to show up. It's easy to get caught up in competition, Instagram videos, and awards that ultimately end up collecting dust.
ABOUT US
Luminous is a new traveling dance workshop where the focus is on each student’s safety, personal expression, and creative evolution. A typical event lasts from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon and consists of movement classes, yoga classes, improvisation workshops, student showcases, and teacher events. Our educators understand the significance of their actions and words. We teach with the goal of tapping into each student’s creative potential, cumulating body awareness for longevity in dance, and experiencing the JOY in movement. We want our students to love learning, and we aim to create a space that allows them to experience the positive impact that dance can have on the body, mind, and soul.
Founders: Sarah Richman + Heather Liposky
Follow along: movewithluminous.com @luminoustour
THE CURRENT DANCE CONVENTION ENVIRONMENT
When evaluating the current standard, a few key factors seldom show up in this arena:
- Diversity in students and educators
- Gender spectrum inclusivity
- Accessible attendance options
- Definitive boundaries between teachers, assistants, and students
- A focus on the entire classroom
While we can continue the list of disparities and missing elements, it's also worth noting the positive outcomes from these events:
- Intensive, focused movement training
- Learning to share in front of larger groups
- Performance experience
- The opportunity to train with educators from other places
- The opportunity to learn new movements and styles
- Studio bonding
- Memorable weekends
OUR GOAL
While there will never be the perfect dance convention, the perfect dance educator, or the perfect experience, our goal is to create a safe space where students can focus on their personal growth, tune their creativity skills, and learn to understand the value of community over competition.
Our goal is to bring Luminous to all by providing lower registration rates, pre-convention scholarships (eliminating the need to pay-in to win), personalized feedback, improv jams, and showcase opportunities. Luminous educators will be knowledgeable, diverse, accepting, and appropriate. We want to create safe spaces where students can explore, make mistakes, take risks, and show up in the present moment.
WHAT WE NEED + WHAT YOU GET
We know many studios/students have been looking for an alternative, and we're ready to make it happen.
However, creating a more accessible, enjoyable, and safe convention requires massive starting costs. We're planning to come to 3–4 cities this upcoming year and are looking to raise the money needed to fund our first season. Each year, we plan to expand to more cities, with an ultimate goal of 20 cities per year.
We know that it may be hard to give. We appreciate each and every dollar in support of our foundation. We do not take this lightly, and we have a strong financial plan dedicated to making a difference for the future of dance. Your donation has a huge impact. By giving to Luminous, you give students from all places the opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired. You give students a safe space to be themselves, be accepted for who they are, and dance in a positive atmosphere. You allow educators to work with the compensation and working conditions they deserve. Your dollars directly transform the dance community in real-time.
How your money will be spent:
- Funding need-based scholarships for students who may not otherwise have access to dance education workshops
- Faculty unconscious bias and sexual harassment certifications
- Faculty compensation
- Faculty travel + accommodations
- Venue rentals
- Staging + audiovisual equipment
As a thank you for your generous sponsorship, we're offering gifts for donation tiers. If you wish to give $50 or more, please select a perk below appropriate to the amount you would like to donate.
IN ADDITION: For our future studios, we would love to offer exclusive discounts and perks for donation tiers. If you are a studio owner who wishes to support us, please reach out to info@luminoustour.com to inquire about these benefits!
**For all donations: If for any reason Luminous is not funded and does not move forward, you will be FULLY REFUNDED your donation amount.
2022/2023 TARGET CITIES (subject to change):
- NY/NJ/CT Area
- DC Metro Area
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Orlando, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Dallas, TX
(Don't see your city above and want to bring 30+ students? Email us at info@luminoustour.com, and we might make it happen!)
RISKS + CHALLENGES
Let's be honest—we're living in a time of unknowns. This means there are risks to making this happen. Some of these include:
- Lack of initial funding
- The wide array of competitors in the market
- Convention cancellations due to COVID-19
- Convention cancellations due to hotel decisions or natural disasters
- Studio cancellations that greatly affect revenue
While these risks exist, we are determined. We firmly believe in the need to create this space and will do what it takes to overcome all obstacles. We have been through failure in the past and have overcome. We have walked through COVID-19 and have come out stronger with a greater desire for community. We are fiscally and operationally responsible individuals equipped with alternate plans when things may not go the way we originally expected. We stay calm, move forward, and have everyone's best interest in mind through all challenges. We will not be a greedy convention that does not give refunds for uncontrolled circumstances. We care about humanity, and we want to be the light.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Please do not be worried if you cannot contribute financially at this time—we understand. Your support means everything to us, and it does not need to be in dollars. If you feel inspired by our movement, please:
- Share this crowdfunding campaign through text, email, social media, or word of mouth
- Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @luminoustour
- Share your goals for Luminous and tag us on Instagram or TikTok
- Fill out our Season 1 survey (link in social bios and below)
photography by Jenna Mashlechko
