Dance Professor’s Company Receives NC Arts Council Grants

Movement Migration, the dance company founded by Associate Professor of Dance Kim Jones, has been awarded two grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The two grants, more than $20,000 combined, support both project-based work and company operations.

“The grants announced today are a big step forward for our agency’s mission of ensuring that all North Carolinians—no matter their age, background, or ability—have opportunities to engage with the transformative power of the arts,” said Jeff Bell, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC), in a November 28 press release. The NCAC awarded $16 million in grants for fiscal year 2023-24.

A “Spark the Arts” grant to Movement Migration, part of a multi-year state effort to reignite arts programming after the pandemic, supported the commissioning and performance of new works by women and non-binary choreographers and composers. The first presentation of that work occurred on October 28 in the program Move to Live; Migrate to Survive.

Movement Migration performing the improvisational piece “Global Concentricity” in the October 28 concert, Move to Live; Migrate to Survive. Photo by Jeff Cravotta.

Movement Migration has also received a Cultural Vision Grant from the Arts & Science Council. Cultural Vision Grants support high quality arts and culture projects presented within Mecklenburg County by Mecklenburg County-based creative individuals or nonprofit organizations that advance one of the following goals: building community by connecting individuals across points of difference; building community by nurturing, celebrating, and supporting authentic cultures and creative expression; increasing relevance by using arts, science and history to address complex community issues; and increasing innovation by supporting the creation of new and groundbreaking work. The $16,000 grant to Movement Migration will support movement classes, workshops and an informal showing in Charlotte.

Jones founded Movement Migration in 2017. The multigenerational company features professional dancers steeped in the celebrated traditions of classical ballet and modern dance. Based in Charlotte, with dancers who hail from across the globe, Movement Migration offers an innovative approach to live performance and dance education dedicated to access, inclusion, and community building. Learn more at movementmigration.org.

Pictured top, Movement Migration in a performance of the piece “Encuentros” on October 28. Photo by Jeff Cravotta.