ARENA DANCES

ARENA DANCES mission is to make dance accessible to all through the presentation of contemporary dance, educational outreach, and community gatherings to inspire, promote dialogue and diversity.

GIVE WITH GRATITUDE — SUPPORT ARENA DANCES

This is the season of giving — and the greatest time to give in Minnesota. After 30 years of shaping a singular choreographic voice, ARENA DANCES has entered a bold new chapter with the launch of the ARENA DANCES Repertory Company — a transformative new model for Minnesota dance with a bold vision forward. 

Why Your Gift Matters - A New Era for Minnesota Dance

Launched in Fall 2025, the ARENA DANCES Repertory Company will provide artist living-wage employment for six local dancers across a 20-week season.

• Investing in Artistry: Your support commissions groundbreaking works from both emerging and nationally recognized choreographers, including Elayna Waxse, Julia Antinozzi, Jordan Demetrius Lloyd, Asaf Salhov, Wynn Fricke, Wendell Gray II, and Shane Larson.
• Building Stability: In the wake of the closures of the Cowles Center, MDT, and James Sewell Ballet, ARENA DANCES is stepping up as a stabilizing and inspiring force in our state’s dance ecosystem.
• Deepening Community: Your investment helps fund accessible performances, classes, and outreach initiatives, keeping dance vibrant and inclusive for all Minnesotans.

Your Impact

Every contribution—large or small—moves us closer to our goal. We’ve already raised just over 50% toward our $500,000 goal to be met by July 2026. That means we have $220,000 left to raise to bring this vision fully to life.

Your gift directly supports: 

Living-wage salaries for professional Minnesota dancers 

New choreographic commissions for our Spring and Fall 2026 seasons 

Education, outreach, and community engagement programs

Join the Circle of Giving 

Be part of this historic transformation for dance in Minnesota. Your generosity ensures the next 30 years of ARENA DANCES are just as impactful as the last.No amount is too small or too large — every gift fuels movement, community, and artistry. 

GIVE NOW

With deep appreciation,

Mathew Janczewski

Founder & Executive Director, ARENA DANCES 

OUR WORK GOES FAR BEYOND THE STAGE

Education is critical to ARENA's mission of supporting arts education and accessible movement opportunities for all. 

DanceON - "getting kids moving + teaching"
DanceON, the continuation and expansion of ARENA’s educational outreach program, focused on incorporating dance into K-12 Twin Cities Public Schools, along with the development of workshops for professional performing artists to acquire skills of dance pedagogy at North High School to teach in these K-6 academic settings- broadening the those who reflect more accurately the diverse communities in need.

Open ARENA: Making Space for a New Cast of Teachers and Performers
Formed in response to the dance community's desire for a more diverse offering of techniques taught in the Twin Cities, Open ARENA gives each of its company of dancers the chance to teach providing 18 weeks of awesome classes to join and dance amongst high level performers. This cohort-led class series prioritizes rigor, diversity of aesthetics & commitment. 

Studio Stories Podcast: Reminiscing Twin Cities Dance History ARENA DANCES’ podcast series has filled an educational void in this community hearing oral histories of influential dance artists.  Now in season 20 with 190+ interviews and over 20,000 listeners.

Community Gatherings foster conversations, resource-sharing, and connections that enrich the lives of individuals & strengthens the collaboration of the community as a whole. 

Floorwork is a monthly series of discussions on all things dance. Open to all as a space for conversation & sharing of ideas, knowledge and resources, each Floor Work focuses on a different topic relevant to life as an artist - from taxes as an freelancer to creative tools for choreographic processes. This series often invites experts on the topic to assist in facilitating conversation and offer their wealth of knowledge on the topic. 

How YOU can Engage today!

- Donate today to ensure that these programs continue to thrive & serve the Twin Cities' community

- Sponsor ARENA DANCES as an individual or company. 

- Become a recurring Monthly Donor

- Attend our upcoming events, more info on what's next here

- Join our Board of Directors! 

Email arenadances@gmail to get started