With support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF), Dance/USA launched Engaging Dance Audiences (EDA), a program that enables Dance/USA and its members to explore and research methods of engaging audiences for dance, learn from peers, and share the learning nationally.  

Round One, a 2.1 million pilot that took place from 2009-2011, was also supported by the James Irvine Foundation, and consisted of four components to generate and share learning with the membership. Out of a highly competitive process, nine projects were funded to explore methods of audience engagement, as well as to research and document what was learned.  Both in-person events and online strategies were designed to build audiences: social bonds; knowledge about dance, insight about artists and styles, and kinetic awareness.  Case studies were then developed on these nine projects, with accompanying products to assist the field in replicating the methods that were explored and lessons learned. Round one also generated extensive research on audience engagement—both of the practices of dance organizations and the interests of audience members themselves.

During Round Two, with renewed funding from DDCF in the amount of $1.7 million, Dance/USA will accelerate its efforts to share the results from Round One, and support its members in implementing new audience engagement practices. Offerings will include professional development through online tools and in-person sessions;  grant support for members in adapting the audience engagement methods from Round One to their own organizations and communities; and a learning community—both in person and online—to encourage exchange as ideas are adapted.  Suzanne Callahan of Callahan Consulting for the Arts and Kellee Edusei, Dance/USA's Director of Member Services and EDA Program Associate will co-manage these activities.  

Highlights of EDA Activity to date include:

• Distributed a first round of $1,294,750 in funding to Dance/USA members. Read about the goals and structure of this funding.
• Developed case studies about the results of the Round 1 projects, along with products to help members learn about and adapt them.
• Produced a series of webinars to share the audience engagement methods from the funded projects and also how to use social media effectively to build connections with audiences.
• Conducted research on audience engagement, looking at members’ current practices and interests in engagement for the future, as well as their audiences views about engagement. Learn more about the research and view examples of survey tools developed by WolfBrown.

For more information or inquiries, contact eda@forthearts.org.

Click on the links below to access information about each of EDA's two rounds.