Life as a Modern Dancer

The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 17 (Recent Art Experiences)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 17: Recent Art Experiences

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

Recent art experiences - art openings, performances, and installations. To feel, see, and take in the work of fellow artists. Inspiration, feeling, hope. Thank you for these opportunities and offerings.

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 16 (Art for Social Change)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 16: Art for Social Change

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

The potential and importance of art for social change. To inspire, provoke, reflect, challenge, offer. So much potential. As Maxine Greene would say, "To imagine what is possible." Works of art are the perfect platform to represent an idea, offer an idea, and inspire feeling and thought from the viewer. Together, we fundamentally have hope and belief that the world can become better.

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 15 (Donations and Donors)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 15: Donations and Donors

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

The support, belief, and commitment from donations and donors. Thank you. I am grateful for this web of funding to bring ideas and opportunities to fruition. Now more than ever, individual donors are fundamental to a thriving arts scene in the United States. I am also grateful for technology to make mechanisms such as Paypal, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo quick and easy to use for streamlined donating. 

Thank you to everyone for your belief in my work, and by showing it with your contributions. Every dollar weaves this web of support. I need and value each and every thread. 

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 14 (Becoming a Teaching Artist)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 14: Becoming a Teaching Artist

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

The gift of teaching, or becoming a teaching artist. The intersection of art making and community engagement. A beautiful spiral and swirl of ideas, meaning, and connection. Becoming a teaching artist is an active give and take of ideas and inspiration. 

I am grateful for the opportunities, the students, and the income. I am grateful for the work filling my heart. I am grateful for the artistic and creative challenges teaching offers me on a regular basis. 

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Related posts:

Speaking as a Teaching Artist: 50 Perspectives

Article: The Beautiful Relationship of Being an Artist and a Teacher

Dance Pedagogy for a Diverse World: Culturally Relevant Teaching in Theory, Research and Practice

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 13 (Family and Significant Others)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 13: Family and Significant Others

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

Family and significant others. These are some of the most important people in my life. Their love and support - personally and professionally - holds me up, lifts me up, underpins everything I do. They believe, they engage, they love. Patience, enthusiasm, showing up. Thank you.

Whether from early childhood, or in the present with a recent performance project, they engage on every level with me and with the project. A true generosity of spirit. Thank you.

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Related posts:

"The Hubby's Perspective" on stanceondance.com

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 12 (Recent Activities)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 12: Recent Activities

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

Recent activities.....

Reflecting on the past few weeks, and taking the time to pause and look back, what has been meaningful, significant, inspiring, or transformational? Where did these activities take place? Can you savor in these recent memories? Activities might include a coffee with a colleague, art opening, community meeting, review posted on a website, recent performance, or a thank you letter arriving in the mail.

I offer gratitude for these opportunities and activities. I pause today to take them in.

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 11 (Downtime)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 11: Downtime

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

Downtime. Recuperation, rest, pausing. Non-art activities, conversations. Relaxing, reading, laughing....friendship, family, and time alone. Wellness.

While many might agree that the arts perpetuate a lifestyle of busyness and constantly "working on" something....let's try out and try on this new idea of rest, relaxation, and dare I say....hobby.

Downtime is ultra valuable for our bodies, creative spirit, and maintaining a whole for longevity in the field.

I am grateful for these moments for myself.

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 10 (feedback)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 10: Feedback

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

Feedback - time, care, and ideas shared to support my art, art making, performance, process, and impact. Feedback can be a mirror, a window, a dialogue. Through feedback, I feel and hear the commitment and curiosity of my colleagues, my mentor, and my audience. I am grateful for these shared words and experiences and impressions. I value the conversation; I value the suggestions. I need and want feedback to build my art in this community at this time. 

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 9 (Colleagues)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 9: Colleagues

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

Colleagues. Near and far, this is my group of supporters, mentors, listeners. Generosity of spirit and dialogue. Working together to further the field.

Colleagues at my current job, or working on a current project, create the fabric of the work together alongside me. Colleagues out of town also provide and assist as a sounding board, mirror, proofreader, cheerleader, friend, and advocate.

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The 2018 Artists' Gratitude Project: Week 7 (Students)

The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity - with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times - we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work - or you decide to write in a personal journal - please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

 

Week 7: Students

Today and this week, I offer gratitude for: 

My students. The gift, privilege, and opportunity to be in the room together. To co-create, to learn together. To see the evolution and the future of the form. To have hope.

I am grateful for the give and the take of teaching.

To quote Abby Fiat, now retired from an extensive career at the University of Utah:

Lifelong learning is for all of us. Let me talk about it from the students’ vantage point first. The students are the ones that keep it current for me. We are so lucky to be in the profession we are in. It is the profession….it puts us all together – our mind, our body, our creative spirit. Wondering, celebrating, exploring, discovering, struggling….. This is hopefully the environment we create for our students. There is not even a choice of keeping it current….that’s what has to happen. The struggles and epiphanies that the students are having are some of the same struggles and epiphanies that we are having – whether it’s our research, their research, their choreography, our choreography, our teaching, their learning. They are learning and so are we, and they’re teaching us what to do.  

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