The Past, Present, and Future of Young Dance

Our history is not a single story, but many stories converging, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in tension, and always in motion. 

Join generations of supporters who believe that movement has the power to transform lives by making a donation today.

The Past:

Since 1987, Young Dance has served as a place where people can root themselves. 

Classes at Young Dance  have encouraged people of all abilities to build body and spirit through dance, finding a space where creativity, connection, and self-discovery thrive. 

Through new spaces, new classes, and the growth of students, teachers, guest artists, and staff, you have been there with us through it all.

The Present:

This year, Young Dance celebrates its 40th anniversary with the theme Toward Each Other. 

Donors like you have helped Young Dance remain an inclusive community where creativity flourishes.

Over the past year, your donations have made the following possible: 

• We reached over 18,000 people over the past year through our work

• We brought artists, educators, and innovators from across the region and Canada together for a Disability + Dance Education Regional Gathering

• We’re hosting a DanceAbility Teacher Certification to help more educators develop the tools to create inclusive movement experiences

• We have offered new, inclusive dance classes including All Abilities Family Dance and a DanceAbility Class 

• We have continued Community partnerships in Minneapolis Public Schools, Saint Paul Public Schools and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation

Photo credit: Bill Cameron

The Future

As we look to the next 40 years, our vision is a world where all people dance: where every body and every ability is valued, and where belonging fuels creativity.

Your support makes this work happen. It keeps classes accessible, sustains community partnerships, supports teaching artists, and creates space for people to grow through movement. 

Together, we nurture an environment where relationships deepen, and individuals realize their limitless capacity for creative expression.

Join us in carrying forward what has made Young Dance meaningful while continuing to question, experiment, and imagine. 

Help us shape the next 40 years of Young Dance by making a donation today.

Photo credit: Emily Adie

Get Involved

Together let's raise $40,000 to share accessible programming and life-changing movement classes with students age 0-100

Your contribution, at any amount, makes a meaningful impact in helping us continue to transform lives through movement:

• $40 adds an assistant to a class to deepen dancers’ engagement
• $120 builds our sensory tool library for our classes.
• $240 provides a teacher training workshop to educators, expanding accessible dance education
• $400 supports a guest artist, pushing the art and practice of dance.
• $2000 builds infrastructure to carry out the future vision of Young Dance           

Photo credit: Blake Nellis