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CLOSE IS NEVER
Close Enough
2021-2022 Events
Close is Never Close Enough
AIC 2021 Student Showcase
WHEN: Thursday, October 28th @ 7PM
WHERE: Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre (911 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI)
WHAT: Arts in Color, a student run organization, is presenting Close is Never Close Enough – a dance showcase produced, choreographed, and performed entirely by University of Michigan Department of Dance students. Arts in Color’s mission is to cultivate an inclusive community within the Department of Dance through consistent dialogue and arts-based events surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion so that students can become agents of change, feel seen and supported, and explore the intersections of social justice activism and the arts. The theme for 2021 is multiplicity and intersectional identities. More specifically, our challenge is to explore how our multidimensional, layered, and heavily nuanced experiences shape our identities, and consider the intersectional nature of social justice activism and dance/movement/performance.
TICKETS: $5 at the door
2018-2020 Events
Hubbard St. Dance Chicago Dinner
Johanna Kepler
Founder of AIC
"Each question was thoughtfully and personally responded to, and the panelists left space for students to respond and open up insightful dialogue about these issues."
Arts in Color hosted a dinner and panel discussion with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC), sponsored by University Musical Society. Students from the Department of Dance, Black Student Union, La Casa, Ambiance Dance, Amala Dance, Creatives of Color and AIC engaged with HSDC dancers, crew, and artistic staff for the club's first official event. After dinner, the panel of HSDC professional responded to questions from students focused on the diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.
Remember Borderline
Anishinaabe Theater Exchange / DanceWorks Chicago/ Arts in Color
OliviaJohnson
AIC Alum
“ I wanted to do something more meaningful than just a headline. Headlines of tragic events come and go but these victims will be remembered forever.”
On Saturday, December 1, 2018 a group of students and faculty from UM Department of Dance gathered on the diag to honor the 12 victims from the Borderline mass shooting in Southern California on November 7, 2018. Hosted by AIC, the event was organized and led by first year BFA dance major Olivia Johnson. During the event participants read the victims’ biographies out loud. Johnson spoke about her experience receiving the news, how it affected her, and urged listeners to vote and educate themselves about control gun laws. “Only by voting can young people change things,” said Johnson. The Michigan Daily attended the event and interviewed Johnson, Johanna Kepler, and Sherry Lin.
Sophie Allen
AIC and UM Alum
"A through-line in both companies’ responses was the need for self acceptance, self accountability and patience."
Arts In Color hosted an event with DanceWorks Chicago (DWC) and the Anishinaabe Theatre Exchange (ATE) on February 20th, 2019. Guest residencies with both companies overlapped for an evening of movement and music improvisation, a DWC performance and a talk back discussion about making inclusive arts spaces. The Hankinson Rehearsal Hall in the Moore music building was transformed through sound, movement, vocalization and writing. The evening transitioned into a DWC performance of four impactful repertory works. ATE spoke to the functional significance of art making as both a spiritual and political practice in their community. AIC asked how these organizations are actively inclusive, and what strategies they use when differences of opinion exist within their creative spaces.
Overall, it was an evening of exploration and sharing across artistic disciplines, ages, and identities that produced a big-picture takeaway: Cultivate an inclusive spirit by empowering yourself and others through genuine recognition and support.
MLK Jr. Award Recipients
Arts in Color received an MLK Jr Spirit Award presented by the North Campus deans! The group is so honored and grateful to receive this award during their first year as an official student organization.
Johanna Kepler
Founder of AIC
"AIC runs by the power of the students and I could not be more amazed and thankful for the work of the AIC board members, the members of the organization and faculty mentors."
Nutrition and Wellness Seminar
Arts in Color hosted a Nutrition for Dancers seminar with the help of MFA student and Registered Dietitian, Sherry Lin. In this seminar, dancers discussed their personal journeys with food and nutrition, received a short lesson on macronutrients and anti-inflammatory foods, and learned how to create our own weekly meal plans. The group facilitated a Q&A focused on questions about nutrition specifically for dancers, and body image in the age of social media. This initiative will lead into two other wellness initiatives they hope to carry into next year: AIC grocery runs and future discussions about body image.
Shea Carpenter-Broderick
AIC Alum
"Our hope with these new initiatives is to provide knowledge about taking care of our bodies and minds, create safe spaces to ask questions and voice concerns, and establish ways to make wellness knowledge more accessible to everyone."
A World Beyond: Reimagining Art Through Activism
overcoming mental health as an urban indigenous woman
Rowan Janusiak
AIC Alum
"Our hope with these new initiatives is to provide knowledge about taking care of our bodies and minds, create safe spaces to ask questions and voice concerns, and establish ways to make wellness knowledge more accessible to everyone."
On November 7th, 2019 Arts in Color had its first ever student choreography showcase at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater on central campus. The showcase was entitled "A World Beyond: Re-Imagining Activism Through Performance." It featured original choreography by current undergraduate dance majors. The theme of the show was "world-making," which is a powerful tool used in arts activism that encourages people to imagine and hope for a better reality. Featured works addressed topics ranging from queer community-building to the visibility of labor. The goal of this showcase was to give students more opportunities for performance as well as leadership skills.
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